This one was one for the books, or should we say “the cookbooks”. First of all, it was one of the very first ceremonies at UVA Chapel since COVID, and since their extensive renovations. (Hello, green walls. Honestly, I’m here for it).
Up until right before our invitations went to print, we’d been planning on a different church, and anxiously awaiting the lottery system. Kaely got the news just a couple months before the wedding that we’d be able to use the chapel, and this switch involved some last minute changes to be sure. I always tell my couples, when faced with any planning decision, picture yourself looking back on your wedding day 5, 10, 20 years from now and imagine it both ways. Kaely and Tim, both UVA alumni, saw themselves strolling the campus years from now with their children, being able to say “We got married there.” And so, they did.
Of all the things I loved about planning with these two and their incredible families, what I loved most was their thoughtfulness & desire to incorporate meaningful, personal touches for their guests. This is my love language in wedding design, to be a part of creating guest experiences that will become cherished memories.
Avid homecooks & dedicated foodies, Kaely & Tim used family recipes as personalized escort cards, and guests raved about finding their cards in recipe tins to take home & experience cooking a special recipe selected just for them. Kaely gifted her attendants with handpicked cookbooks, each with a thoughtful inscription.
The guest book, then, was an obvious choice: The classic cookbook The Joy of Cooking, which guests signed so that each time the couple cooks together for decades to come, they will look back on their wedding day & think of the loved ones who celebrated with them.
And really, isn’t that what it’s all about?
We love designing & planning alongside intentional couples who want to create memories that guests will rave about for years to come. And, of course, we pride ourselves on curating distinctive celebrations tailored to our unique couples.
Cheers to you, Kaely & Tim! We love you!