A Very Alexandria Wedding: An Introduction
I sat down to write this thinking it would be incredibly easy—I’ll just write about this favorite time in a girl’s life and talk about how Prince Charming comes riding in on a white horse and wedding planning is such a cinch—but then I realized I’d be lying!! Wedding planning is hard work and, quite frankly, something I thought I’d be way more interested in than I am.
Something that makes planning a little easier, though, is my love for Alexandria and the fact that, by getting married in my hometown, I am able to show my appreciation for the wonderful people and businesses that have supported me throughout my entire life. So the title for this post and posts to follow was easy: A Very Alexandria Wedding…because that’s exactly what it is!
In the coming months (only five to go!), I’m going to share details about my wedding and about the thoughts and experiences I’ve had while planning this once-in-a-lifetime day. I hope readers will enjoy it and find humor—and maybe some things that are scarily relatable—in some of these stories. Future stories will include the bridal fitness/weight loss struggle; wedding dress shopping in Old Town; trials and tribulations surrounding floral arrangements/décor/what goes into creating a wedding mood; an introduction to our very patient wedding planner; catering selections; and anything else you readers are interested in. But today, I thought I’d start with the most special decision to me: the venue.
For me, Prince Charming did not come riding in on a white horse (thank you, Disney, for the unrealistic expectations). For me, it was more like Prince Charming came sauntering in with a lacrosse stick on a local high school field. So maybe that part wasn’t in line with the fairy tales. I am, however, fulfilling one fairytale dream, and that is my venue. As a home/real estate/family-obsessed girl, one thing I had to have was a personal wedding in my parents’ backyard—a venue only I can have (ok, little sister, maybe you can have it, too).
When I was in my teens, my parents built a beautiful home on the Potomac River, and it has been a home filled with BBQs, charity events, 4th of July parties, prom photos, and countless fun times with my siblings and our friends ever since. It is incredibly important to me that the wedding retains this casual-yet-elegant feel and that every guest feels like they are at home and a part of my family. To enhance this feel, we are having a clear tent with draping and chandeliers. Ever since the day the backyard pool went in so many years ago, I’ve been telling my dad that I’m going to Plexiglas cover it and dance the night away one night…well, my wedding is that night! As a final touch, my dad will be fulfilling my teenage girl’s dream and my guests and I will be dancing on water!
Oh, and one last thing—NO BLACK! It’s a wedding after all! Staple colors are navy, gold and white, with accents of aquamarine.
- About the team
The Patterson Group is one of the most experienced and trusted real estate teams in the area, serving Alexandria, VA for over thirty years. We offer professional, hardworking, detailed and friendly service and a large network of contacts and resources accrued over our many years in Alexandria real estate. Comprised of seven Alexandria locals, six of whom are licensed realtors and three of whom are accredited staging professionals, The Patterson Group is passionate and knowledgeable about Alexandria, VA and here for all of your Northern VA real estate needs. Allow us to help you find your home here and discover all that the Alexandria lifestyle has to offer.
400 South Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.310.6201
