“Rachel and Bradley’s wedding was one of my favorites of the year! It was a beautiful outdoor event held at a lovely vineyard in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, which is also where I grew up. I knew Rachel as a little girl and our families are close friends so Rachel’s wedding was extra special to me. Rachel, who is an artist, was involved in planning every single detail of her wedding and it definitely showed. I loved her creative style, and the fact that she and her family handmade so many of the lovely details made the day extra special. I was honored to be a part of this lovely wedding.” – Gayle Driver Photography
“It is so hard to pick one moment. Some of my favorite moments were getting ready with my friends and spending the whole morning doing hair and makeup and drinking mimosas. I also loved the conversation my dad and I had while he walked me down the aisle. He is such a tender hearted man and he told me he proud he was of me and the life I was about to start with Brad, I couldn’t help but tear up. I loved walking down the aisle and seeing Brad’s face light up. We didn’t do a first look, so those moments before I got to him, were so sweet to see his reaction…
..What didn’t I make?! I am a self described DIY fanatic. I get all kinds of crazy ideas from Pinterest and try to figure out how to make them happen. I spent a lot of time with family and friends crafting before the wedding. We got married at a vineyard and so I made lots of things including a big “T” (for Tenny our last name) out of wine corks. I worked with my dad routing & painting the signs that were displayed throughout the reception out of old barnwood. My bridesmaids helped me make all of the favors that also acted as the escort cards, which were S’more packets with a tag that said “sending S’more Love”. I grew up at a camp and loved making them as a child. I learned a little bit of calligraphy (I definitely have a lot more to learn!) so I could letter all of the tags and signs throughout the reception. It was so much fun for me to have that quality time making them with my family and friends. I am sure they got tired of my ideas, but I loved the process and being able to see all that we had done come together on the big day…
..I love this tradition. My something borrowed and blue was a broach (carried on my bouquet) that was a gift from my grandfather to my grandmother. They have both passed away and it really felt like I was carrying them with me through that day. My something new was the beautiful earrings and bracelet I wore that were given to me by my mother-in-law. My something old was the lace in the hair piece I wore that was made by Amelia of AMD and put together by my mom and I.
..I loved planning our wedding. I spent hours and hours reading blogs and putting together ideas. I designed most everything from the centerpiece idea to the lanterns and place settings. I was actually kind of sad once the wedding was over, that the planning was over too. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE being married, I just so enjoyed the planning process. My advice is something that most brides say, but I truly mean it… Enjoy every single moment of being a bride, from the showers to the wedding. You will only get these precious moments once, so be present in all of them AND get a wonderful photographer to capture them. So much of the day seems like a blur, but I am so thankful to have great photographs to look back at and remember the details. Take it all in and don’t stress yourself out. Nobody else will care or notice the tiny things that go wrong.” – Rachel, the bride
Photographer: Gayle Driver Photography // Event Designer: Ameiia Marie Designs // Venue: Bluestone Vineyard // Caterer: Hank’s Smokehouse & Southern Grillery // Cake Designer: Sue Dean // Flowers: The Weekend Florist // calligraphy chalkboard signs: Diamond Designs
