Virginia Bride features weddings weekly here on the blog. Being featured in the blog does not necessarily mean they are featured in the print magazine.
Bride: Caitie Melloy, 24, Nurse
Groom: Steve Fera, 27, High School Teacher
Date: 4/6/2024
Ceremony: St. Bede’s Catholic Church, Williamsburg, Virginia
Reception: The Maine of Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia
Guests: 130
LOVE STORY
In January 2022, Caitie and Steve were introduced by Simone, Steve’s sister. Destiny had brought them together, and the next month, they spent the afternoon at the Gadsby’s Tavern Museum in Alexandria, Virginia. Later that day, they changed into their evening attire and headed to dinner at Sfoglina in Washington, D.C. After dinner, the couple decided to play a few rounds of miniature golf at Swingers Crazy Golf in the DuPont Circle area of D.C. With the night still young, they continued their fun at a nearby dive bar called The Dew Drop, where they sipped on drinks and played darts.
On April 6, 2023, Steve proposed to Caitie during a romantic picnic at Cape May Beach in New Jersey. He gave her a beautiful 18k yellow gold engagement ring featuring a round diamond solitaire with an invisible halo and alternating oval and round diamonds set into the band.
Upon arriving at Steve’s family home in Jersey Shore, Caitie was pleasantly surprised to find her immediate family (parents and siblings) waiting to celebrate their engagement.
VENUE
One year later, on April 6, 2024, Steve and Caitie tied the knot at The Maine of Williamsburg, a picturesque wedding venue in Williamsburg, Virginia. Surrounded by stunning woods and lush greenery, the rustic charm of The Maine was the perfect choice for the couple’s special day.
The venue offered separate bridal and groom suites, providing a comfortable space for preparation before the ceremony. The Maine’s side and back patios were breathtaking and provided an ideal cocktail hour setting. The couple wanted their wedding to be elegant and fun and to reflect their unique personalities rather than following current trends. The color scheme featured emerald, black, white and gold, adding sophistication and glamour.
ATTIRE
Caitie wore an ivory gown by Mikaella, Style number 2400. It was made of faille fabric and had an off-the-shoulder design with a sweetheart neckline. The back of the dress had a custom-made bow. And the skirt had a cathedral-length train with buttons running down its length.
She wore a simple pearl necklace, matching drop earrings and a pearl and floral headband tied into her updo. Her perfume was Eilish, gifted to her from Simone. She finished her look with ivory, bejeweled low-block heels from David’s Bridal.
Something:
Old: Pinned to Caitie’s petticoat was her father’s Air Force Flight School wing pin, with a charm attached to it from the squadron he was flying with on the day she was born.
Borrowed: Pearl earrings gifted to her by her college roommate.
Blue: A little charm with a blue ribbon tied to her bouquet.
The bridal bouquet was a perfect combination of spray, garden and English roses. Each bridesmaid opted for a unique style of satin dresses in a beautiful sage green shade, while the maid of honor stood out in emerald.
During the ceremony, Steve looked dapper in his sleek black tuxedo and a crisp white bowtie. He switched to a white tuxedo jacket and a black bowtie for the reception. To add a personal touch, Steve wore custom-made cufflinks engraved with “C+S” and “04.06.24.” As an accessory, he wore his grandfather’s watch. His boutonniere was a beautiful cluster of sunset-colored roses.
Steve’s wedding band was engraved with a Claddagh to represent his marriage into an Irish family, while a fleur de lis symbolized his grandmother’s French heritage.
FIRST LOOK
Caitie’s father eagerly awaited her reveal. As she stepped out onto the patio of the bridal suite in her wedding gown, he turned around with a beaming smile, filled with pride and joy. It was an unforgettable moment that they would cherish forever.
The couple decided to have a unique wedding experience by opting for a “first touch” instead of a traditional “first look.” They exchanged private vows while separated by a brick wall, allowing them to have intimate moments before the ceremony and preserving the special moment when Caitie walked down the aisle and Steve saw her for the first time.
CEREMONY
The couple’s ceremony celebrated love and faith. They honored their Catholic traditions by having a traditional mass at St. Bede’s Catholic Church in Williamsburg, Virginia. Their mothers brought bread and wine to the altar for communion. Steve’s dad and Caitie’s sister performed readings. Caitie’s mom served as the Eucharistic Minister.
The Easter lilies from previous celebrations decorated the space. To add personal touches, they added an altar bouquet that perfectly matched the roses and the white bows tied to each pew.
As the ceremony began, Caitie’s father proudly escorted her down the aisle. Steve and Caitie exchanged traditional Catholic vows and the priest blessed their rings just before the ring exchange ceremony.
The beautiful melodies of Canon in D filled the church as the bridal party walked down the aisle. And as the newlyweds walked back up the aisle, the joyful hymn O God Beyond All Praising accompanied them.
The wedding was attended by relatives from Ireland, California, South Carolina, Washington State, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Texas and Florida.
COCKTAIL HOUR
The cocktail hour was held on the patio of The Maine and was one of the most memorable parts of the evening’s festivities. As guests arrived, they were greeted by a mobile bar that offered various drink options, including two signature cocktails: “The Josie” and “The Feltwell.” The drink was named after Steve’s late grandmother, who loved Licor 43, while the latter was named after the village in England where Caitie lived for 5 years. The cocktails were expertly crafted and perfectly embodied their namesakes’ unique tastes and personalities.
The hors d’oeuvres served during the cocktail hour were equally impressive, featuring delicious chicken and waffle skewers, mac and cheese bites, ham biscuits and a charcuterie board.
A cigar table and a Polaroid guestbook station were set up to add to the fun. Guests could also play a game of cornhole on the venue’s lawn.
RECEPTION
The reception was held in the The Maine’s ballroom. The space was beautifully decorated with sunset rose centerpieces, floating candles, tea lights, emerald napkins, gold silverware and white linens.
The outdoor patio of the Maine venue was covered and housed the bar, guestbook table and the couple’s seating chart. A Polaroid camera station was set up for guests to take pictures and write personal messages to the newlyweds. After taking photos and writing their messages, guests could attach them to the guestbook, creating a beautiful keepsake for the bride and groom to cherish and remember their special day.
The bridal party made their grand entrance into the reception while Bruno Mars’s song “Marry You” played in the background.
The couple chose the song “Hold On” by Michael Buble for their first dance. The father-daughter dance lyrics were “Fathers and Daughters” by Michael Bolton, while the mother-son dance was to the tune of “Boogie Wonderland” by Earth, Wind and Fire.
The couple honored their respective Italian and Irish heritages by incorporating a Tarantella and an Irish folk dancing into their wedding reception.
The buffet-style dinner menu included: herb-crusted beef tenderloin medallions, citrus caper chicken, potatoes, a vegetable medley, garden salad and a pasta bar with three choices of pasta and sauces.
Cupcakes in chocolate, vanilla, carrot cake, brownies, lemon bars, pecan bars and raspberry bars accompanied the two-tiered red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.
As the end of the wedding day drew near, Steve and Caitie gifted their guests with a bottle of homemade limoncello they had previously crafted with care.
Their guests bid Steve and Caitie farewell with a bubble send-off. An after-party then continued at the DoubleTree hotel in Williamsburg, Virginia.
HONEYMOON
Steve and Caitie are planning to go on a cruise to the Adriatic Sea this summer.
VENDORS
VENUE: The Maine of Williamsburg – @themaineofwilliamsburg
ttps://www.themaineofwilliamsburg.com
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER: Julie Martin Photography – @juliemartinphotography
https://www.juliemartinphoto.com
ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER: EaCo Weddings – @eacoweddings
VIDEOGRAPHER: Paige Calkins – @photographybypaigeee
CONSULTANT: Sante Events – @santeeventsco
OFFICIANT: Father Anthony Ferguson
RINGS: Pietro Jewelers – @pietrojewelers
GOWN: Urban Set Bride – @urbansetbride
VEIL: Affordable Elegance Bridal – @affordableelegancebridal
SHOES: David’s Bridal – @davidsbridal
HAIR/MAKEUP: Salon Vivace Williamsburg – @salonvivacewmbg
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES: Birdy Grey – @birdygrey
MENS ATTIRE: Rudi’s Formal Wear – @ruditux
INVITATIONS: Zola – @zola
FLOWERS: The Flower Cupboard – @flowercupboard
RENTAL EQUIPMENT: Splendid Seating, Linen Rentals – @splendid_seating
CATERING: Traditions Catering & Events – @traditions_cateringva
MUSIC: Signature DJs – @signaturedjs757
CAKE: Publix – @publix
The Carrot Tree – @carrottreekitchens
TRANSPORTATION: Williamsburg Chauffeur Service
ACCOMODATIONSIDE: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Williamsburg -@doubletreewilliamsburg
HONEYMOON: Norwegian Cruise Line – @norwegiancruiseline
If you are planning a wedding in Roanoke Virginia, Richmond Virginia, Fredericksburg/Northern Virginia, The Shenandoah Valley, Coastal Virginia or in Charlottesville/ Lynchburg Va. we can help with your wedding planning and ideas.
