After nine years of dating, complete with high school and college graduations, parenting a now 4 years old golden retriever, and the purchase of their first home, Nathan and Rachel finally tied the knot at their elegant Richmond wedding. When they started the planning process, the venues were not a difficult decision for them as over 30 years ago, Rachel’s parents got married at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (where the bride and groom both grew up) with a reception following at the Commonwealth Club.
It was so important and special to have the same venues as her parents’ wedding; it added such a special element to a day already filled with so much love. With venues that exude elegance and a historic Richmond feel, Nathan and Rachel wanted to make sure that the rest of the style matched and helped to play off such beautiful spaces especially with the invitations, linens, and flower arrangements. After picking her form-fitting, old Hollywood glamour-inspired wedding gown, the rest of the style-related decisions became a bit easier. The bridesmaids wore black gowns of their own choosing, and the groomsmen wore tuxedoes. Nathan wore a beautiful hand-made midnight blue bowtie and velvet loafers.
The wedding day met all expectations and more and was filled with so much love and joy, with families and friends traveling from Japan, California, Colorado and more. Having both of Rachel’s parents walk her down the aisle to Nathan was such a memorable moment and seeing the Commonwealth Club’s ballroom for the first time was an unbelievable feeling as the lovebirds finally got to see all of their work come together.
The room was filled with ivory and blush tones through the florals and tablescapes. Each table at the Club was named after a special street in their lives, including the king’s table where the wedding party was seated. After a delicious dinner, laugh-worthy and cry-worthy speeches, and first dances with their parents, everyone just danced the night away in celebration of Nathan and Rachel.
I hope you enjoy this peek into their special day!
Vendors:
- Photography – Stephanie Yonce Photography
- Ceremony Venue – Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
- Reception Venue and Catering – Commonwealth Club
- Florals – Tommy’s Garden
- Wedding Gown – Sarah Janks from Lovely Bride DC
- Hair and Makeup – Avenue 42
- Earrings – Mikimoto
- Wedding Rings – Carreras Jewelry and Walker & Son Inc.
- Bridesmaid Dresses: Aiden Maddox, Revolve, Jill Stuart and Vera Wang
- Groomswear – Jos A Banks
- Bow Tie – Brackish Bow Ties
- Stationery – Page Stationery
- Desserts – Sweet Fix
- Band – En’Novation
- Transportation – Taylor’s Classic Travels
- Linens – BBJ Linen Rentals
