The best part about this job is that I get to know my clients and try my hardest to make sure that their wedding isn’t ‘just another wedding’, but one where people walk away having a great time and also knowing the couple better.

Rudy and Rebecca’s day was so special to me on many fronts. This incredible couple learned through their engagement that their love ‘goes the distance’. While both serving in the Air Force, they spent years apart overseas- she in Germany, he in England- after falling in love in college in Virginia. Just months before their wedding, they were finally able to get stationed in Japan and were finally together.

Because their love literally grew during their time apart in the air, we made sure that their wedding theme reflected that—I’m biased, but I think we knocked it out of the park! Don’t worry, I’ll make sure I point out the details below! Thanks Annamarie Akins, for these incredible images.

The rain held off for the couple to get in a nice hot air balloon ride during cocktail hour— and we couldn’t resist these adorable Kate Spade balloons!

I knew from he get-go that we needed to bring Chloe from English Tea Paperie in on this one for all of the custom designs. She set the tone for the event by sending out this save the date- a paper airplane with a custom map of the world in the background.

The map plotted their love journey- starting in Virginia, a heart with R+R over Europe where they got engaged, and ended in Japan, where they live currently and will start their life as husband and wife. We made sure that map was brought back in to the wedding invitation as a custom liner for the envelope.

For the day of papers, we gave out ‘baggage claim’ welcome boxes with his and her favorite snacks, waters, and the most adorable map of all the places on UVA campus that told Becca and Rudy’s story. Chloe hand drew all of these buildings— wow! For the programs, we wanted them to look like a real passport. Chloe didn’t miss a detail— the passport picture page even had a spot for guests to cut out their photo booth picture later that night to keep as a keepsake in the book 🙂

The exploration pass included a ticket for the hot air balloon ride at cocktail hour, and a map of places to visit on UVA campus between the ceremony and reception.

You’re likely drooling over those flowers by now, and for good reason. The Proper Petal did an amazing job, as well as Yellow Door calligraphy with the floral and boutonniere tags. I knew I would need help creating my vision for the ceremony door arch, and was beyond impressed with how the Proper Petal was able to execute!

Because we had a really late reception, Becca wanted to do an exit from the ceremony instead— look at these adorable bags!

Becca and Rudy were the first to go up in the hot air balloon from Blue Ridge Ballooning after they arrived at the Boars Head Inn.

I then got to sneak in and show her all of the details we had planned for quite some time— one of my FAVORITE parts of a wedding day!

Chloe from English tea Paperie not only made all of the beautiful papers, but also created a six by eight foot MAP of the world that modeled the map from the invitation suite. We gave the guests pilot wings (who doesn’t want these, even as an adult?) and they were able to find their seat at this awesome escort card display. Mad Hatter Vintage provided tons of beautiful, vintage luggage to tie it all together.

In the reception room, we made sure that we had lush florals, a draped ceiling, and gold model airplanes- the groom flies a fighter jet so we made sure he got to take one home as a keepsake!

Instead of a traditional guest book, we found unused vintage postcards from Charlottesville, England, Germany, and Japan for guests to leave well wishes for the happy couple.

I say it time and time again— but what I do is an honor that I don’t take lightly. Getting to tell your story and celebrate with you on your big day the best way I know how (behind the scenes bringing it all together) is something that I treasure. Thank you, Becca, from he bottom of my heart.

Credits: Photography – Annamarie Akins | Second Shooter – Brittany Claud | Planning and Design – Alyson Taylor Events | Paper Goods – English Tea Paperie | Hair and Makeup – Avenue 42 | Venue and Catering – Boars Head Inn | Videography – Handspun Cinema | Wedding Gown – Anne Barge from Annalise Bridal Boutique | Florals – The Proper Petal | Hot Air Balloon – Blue Ridge Balloon | Rentals – Mad Hatter Rentals | Calligraphy Tags – Yellow Door Calligraphy | Robes – Plum Pretty Sugar