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Fiona + Andrew

April 22, 2019

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I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve posted on the blog, but it’s only because G+G has been over the top busy with amazing new clients! However, I am very excited to get back in the swing of blogging with this sweet couple.

Meet the Hembys everyone!

Before we dive into this amazing wedding, I wanted to share a bit about my first meeting with Fiona + Andrew. I had been corresponding with Fiona, who was referred to me by a former bride (thanks Hannah!), so I didn’t know anything about the groom, other than that his name was Andrew. During our first meeting, I knew right away that Andrew looked super familiar. About halfway through the meeting, we finally had to stop and figure out how we knew each other. Turns out, we worked together in high school at Chick-Fil-A! Such a small world! Surprisingly enough, Andrew was actually the second former CFA co-worker to join the G+G family last year. You all will meet Erica in a future post 🙂

Fiona + Andrew were married on 8-4-18 at Upper Shirley Vineyards. I absolutely LOVE this venue. A gorgeous winery over looking the James River with a beautiful banquet room, covered porches, + tasty wine. I have SO many favorites moments + details from this day. There might be too many to include in this post, but I am excited to share Fiona + Andrew’s day with you all!

Fiona’s Scottish Family

Fiona’s family is from Scotland + many made the journey to celebrate. I loved all of the Scottish traditions that were incorporated throughout their day. There were lots of guests adorning kilts, a Scottish flag hung at the venue entrance, a bagpiper performed during the ceremony, a Ceilidh band played throughout cocktail hour + even led traditional Scottish dancing during the reception, and there was a Scottish farewell with guests singing Auld Lang Syne to name a few. The Scottish flower, a thistle, was also incorporated throughout the wedding in the flowers, as part of the guest book, and even on the guest’s place cards.

All of the guests had a blast learning + participating in the dances performed by the Ceilidh Band!

The rose bowl pictured below with the guestbook was brought by a special guest in memory of her husband + all those who couldn’t be with Fiona + Andrew on their day.

Everyone gathered in a circle and sang together (we even had the lyrics printed on cards for anyone who didn’t know the words) – it’s was really beautiful!

The People

So many wonderful people came from all over the world to celebrate with Fiona + Andrew – a few members of their bridal party included. One Bridesmaid came from Switzerland + one Groomsmen came from Seattle! I loved getting to meet all these wonderful people. It’s one of my favorite things about my job!

Finlay the RingPup

I am sucker for dogs + I LOVE it when they get to witness their humans say “I do.” Finlay was so well behaved + was the best ring pup for his mom + dad.

He was also an excellent model during his portrait session.

And he even waited patiently to see mom during the First Look!

First Look – with the Groom

Could these two be any cuter or more in love?!? OMG.

First Look – with Dad

I love it when brides are able to have a special moment with their dad. Fiona + her dads was extra sweet, too. Love that this is becoming a new tradition for most brides.

Ceremony Details

Ceremony setup aside (which is breath taking, isn’t it?!?) – I really loved how personal the ceremony was. Everyone was present + everyone was beaming for these two.

Cocktail Hour Details

Fiona + Andrew had his + hers cocktails for guests to enjoy [His – mint julep. Hers – dark + stormy]. Fiona made these awesome acrylic signs for the bar + I don’t think it could’ve looked any cuter than it did displayed at the Cozy Caravan, which was a secondary bar open to guests during cocktail hour. Well, these two posing in the caravan might have been cuter, but it’s hard to say, really.

Of course, I made sure they were able to enjoy one, as well! (P.s. Check out Andrew’s awesome cuff links!)

One of my other favorite moments from cocktail hour, was the group photo taken before guests entered the reception! This might be the only time all these beautiful people are in one place. What a sweet sweet memory to have captured. This might seem like a logistical nightmare – but that’s why you have me (along with a giant porch + a tall ladder lol).

Reception Details

Oh man – this was one beautiful reception. I loved how clean the whites + greens looked paired with the pop of plum. The banquet hall at Upper Shirley is really a blank canvas which is perfect for any bride, any color palette, and any style!

Of course I always love watching the first dances + these were no exception!

The favors were also absolutely adorable! Fiona made personalized wine glass charms for each person that we setup at each individual place setting. What a thoughtful + personalized gift! I also loved that Andrew had a cigar bar setup outside for anyone that wanted to smoke a celebratory cigar.

And who doesn’t love dessert, right? Well these two had extra! Every table received an assortment of desserts after dinner + then cake was boxed up in to-go containers and sent home with guests as a late night snack for the ride home. Whether you’re serving your cake or not – I highly recommend getting some to-go containers to ensure it all gets eaten. Nobody likes to see cake go to waste!

Lastly, we finished up the night with a sparkler send off!

This wedding was truly wonderful – almost as wonderful as the Hembys! I am so happy to have been a part of their day + to have met so many terrific people. Cheers to all your happy years, Fiona + Andrew!