Dreaming of a romantic farm wedding filled with personal touches and picturesque views? Eliza and Kevin’s celebration at Little Oatlands might be the exact inspiration you need. As a wedding planner, I’ve had the joy of helping many couples bring their visions to life, but this garden wedding in Virginia was especially close to my heart thanks to the rich family history, the charm of the venue, and the sheer amount of love woven into every detail.
Eliza and Kevin met in Italy on a wine tour (talk about a meet-cute!) and did long distance until they both moved to NYC and officially started their life together. They chose to have their wedding on Eliza’s grandmother’s farm, where Eliza’s parents were married, Little Oatlands. Located in the rolling Virginia countryside, this family farm was the perfect setting for their garden formal wedding. We held the ceremony in the garden surrounded by historic trees, with the couple saying “I do” beneath the gazebo. The Friday before, we meticulously moved every ceremony chair by hand to ensure each guest had a beautiful view. It was worth every step!
One of my favorite memories from the day came just before the ceremony, when we had a real farm wedding moment.
The bride’s dress ended up with a mud-lined hem after walking the grounds. With the help of her bridesmaids and every Shout wipe in my emergency kit, we sat together and cleaned it up. By the time she walked down the aisle, it looked a million times better!
Eliza and her family arranged all the florals themselves, spending hours the day before putting together the centerpieces. Cocktail hour featured an oyster bar (always a crowd favorite), and a canoe filled with drinks for a relaxed vibe. At the end of the night, we surprised guests with Chick-fil-A delivered for the after-party back in the garden. It was a fun, low-key touch that had everyone smiling.
Instead of a grand sendoff at the end of the reception, we planned a beautiful ceremony petal toss as Eliza and Kevin recessed down the aisle. It was beautiful. And while I typically don’t include snake sightings in my wedding recaps, I did cross paths with not one, but two snakes while setting up the ceremony! Don’t worry, they kept their distance, and my kids were only jealous they missed it.
Between the bow on Eliza’s much-admired gown, the sounds of laughter echoing through the garden, and the intentional, meaningful details tucked into every moment, this garden wedding in Virginia was a celebration hard to forget.
Looking to plan your own garden wedding in Virginia? Reach out! I’d love to help you bring your vision to life in a way that feels uniquely yours.
