REAL VIRGINIA WEDDING: Joe & Isabella

Virginia Bride features weddings weekly on the blog. Being featured on the blog does not necessarily mean being featured in the print magazine.

Bride: Isabella Flory, 22, Strategy and Consulting Analyst

Groom: Joe Bondi, 22, Retirement Planning Consultant

Date: May 25, 2024

Venue: James Monroe’s Highland, Charlottesville, Virginia

Guests: 139

LOVE STORY

Joe and Isabella’s love story is a unique blend of chance and destiny, reminiscent of a romantic comedy. Their paths first crossed in the fall of 2020, during their freshman year at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Having heard about Joe through mutual friends, Isabella boldly approached him at a campus event, asking, “are you Joe Bondi?” This chance encounter led to a lively evening of conversation with a group of new friends. Their friendship blossomed over the next six months. And in March of 2021, it transformed into something more, as they took the leap from friends to dating.

Joe proposed to Isabella at her parents’ lake house in Spotsylvania, Virginia on a crisp fall day in 2023. The setting was straight out of a fairytale as he knelt on her parents’ dock, with the serene water and the beauty of nature as their witnesses. With a heart full of love, he asked her to be his forever and without a moment’s hesitation, she joyfully said, “Yes.”

Joe collaborated with Isabella’s sister to create a memorable setting with flowers, candles and even a paparazzi-style photographer to capture every precious moment. The love and excitement continued as Isabella’s parents and Joe’s mom joined the celebration. Later, their closest friends added to the joy with an evening filled with champagne, delectable desserts and wedding-themed games. It was a proposal that will be cherished forever!

THEME

“Our theme was garden party formal,” said Isabella. “I have always been drawn to the vibrant and festive styles showcased in Vogue Weddings, particularly the California formal look that balances personality with elegance. With the backdrop of May in Virginia, I envisioned a classic garden party vibe, intertwining fun, floral elements and a burst of colors.”

ATTIRE 

Isabella looked stunning in the Abigail gown by Willowby by Watters, Style Number 84834340. It was a show-stopping look! The dress featured a beautiful square-neck A-line design. The bodice was exquisitely structured and adorned with delicate floral appliqués. The A-line waist was accentuated by a lovely velvet ribbon tied into a bow at the back. The floral appliqués cascaded down the full tulle skirt. 

The bride wore Remi Studs from Olive and Piper, a cluster of diamond-like gems and a pop of pearl in a classic yet modern silhouette. She completed her look with elegant ivory heels, exuding timeless charm and grace. 

The bridesmaids looked lovely in their silk dresses with a high-neck halter style. The soft mint green color of the dresses, adorned with delicate floral appliqués of white flowers and pops of pink and green leaves, added an extra touch of elegance to the entire bridal party. 

The groom wore a light blue linen suit, a brown leather belt, brown shoes, light blue socks and a floral bow tie. The groomsmen wore tan suits with white shirts and dark green and light blue striped bow ties. 

The bridal bouquet featured soft spring pastel colors with a touch of blue delphinium. The bridesmaids carried petite bouquets similar to the Isabella style. The boutonnieres featured white roses, while the groom’s boutonniere also incorporated blue delphinium. 

VENUE 

Joe and Isabella carefully selected James Monroe’s Highland in Charlottesville as the perfect venue for their special day. They were captivated by the sunken garden, which provided an enchanting setting for the cocktail hour. The venue’s meandering paths allowed guests to wander and discover the charming surroundings. The majestic trees beautifully framed the ceremony site and the expansive fields provided a picturesque backdrop for timeless landscape photos. To ensure peace of mind in case of inclement weather, Joe and Isabella appreciated the presence of a pavilion that allowed them to enjoy the stunning views of the rolling hills while dining outdoors. 

CEREMONY

The couple’s ceremony took place in the venue’s stunning space lovingly referred to as the “Peacock Yard.” The yard featured majestic trees, under which they placed their arch, draped in hydrangeas and other beautiful flowers. Inside the ceremony site was a lovely welcome table with refreshments and programs neatly placed on the seats. 

As the guests arrived, they were welcomed by elegant white chairs arranged in graceful, curved rows that created a sense of anticipation and serenity. The air was filled with the soothing melodies of instrumental Christian music that set the perfect mood for an unforgettable event. In the days before the ceremony, the officiant had asked Joe and Isabella to write letters describing what they loved most about one another. The officiant beautifully incorporated excerpts from their letters, adding a deeply personal and touching element to their ceremony. The couple exchanged traditional vows and invited everyone to recite the Lord’s Prayer, making the ceremony meaningful for all in attendance. 

COCKTAIL HOUR

The newlyweds hosted their cocktail hour in a beautiful sunken garden just around the corner from the ceremony site. The garden’s design included a charming outdoor brick floor surrounded by tall hedges. A beautifully crafted sign declared, “Joe and Isabella are Mint to Be,” infusing the celebration with a delightful personal charm. The DJ played soft, lyrical tunes as everyone mingled while servers passed around delectable appetizers. Six cocktail tables were adorned with lovely pink floral tablecloths. Each table was decorated with vases filled with white hydrangeas and elegant gold-trimmed votive candles. The mouthwatering appetizers included bruschetta on crostini, shrimp cocktail with house-made sauce, cheese steak stuffed pastry cups and spinach artichoke dip on crisp cucumber slices. The servers presented these delectable treats alongside custom-designed cocktail napkins featuring the couple’s wedding logo. The couple’s signature drink was the Watermelon Mojito, made with vodka, watermelon juice and mint leaves.

RECEPTION

The couple’s reception was picturesque. It was set under a pavilion with a breathtaking view of mountains and fields. Draped with soft fabric and twinkling lights, the pavilion exuded a cozy and inviting atmosphere. 

The head table was decorated with a floral arch from the ceremony and the bridesmaids’ bouquets were reused as centerpieces. Guest tables were elegantly arranged with white tablecloths, square white plates and pink linen napkins. Delicate bud vases, gold-rimmed votives with candles and gold-accented utensils lent an air of luxury to the setting. Menus matched the design of the couple’s wedding invitations.

The wedding party led the way with fun and creativity for their entrances into the reception. One couple performed the wheelbarrow, another playfully pretended to punt a football with a napkin and others surprised them with a lively dance.

“Our DJ was amazing and played the perfect tunes to get everyone dancing,” said Isabella. The guests had so much fun with the special activities: a Virginia Reel dance led by their officiant and Joe’s uncle, a thrilling photo dash and playful hula-hoop sessions. As the evening set in, the flashing glow sticks stole the show and became the night’s highlight.

CAKE

The wedding cake was a two-layer cake with white buttercream icing adorned with flowers matching the couple’s color scheme. The first layer featured a zesty lemon blueberry flavor. In contrast, the top layer delighted guests with rich chocolate ganache and cookies and cream filling. 

EXITS

As the newlyweds exited the reception, their friends and family lined up along a brick pathway bordered by beautiful hedges. Each guest held a glowing fiber optic light-up wand and joyfully waved it as the couple ran down the path, creating a magical and enchanting scene. 

Joe and Isabella spent their wedding night at the Oakhurst Inn in Charlottesville. They Honeymooned in Mexico. 

Bride: isabellafbondi 

Groom: bondi.joe_

VENDORS

VENUE: James Monroe’s Highland – http://@monroehighlands

https://highland.org/weddings/

PHOTOGRAPHER: William Sumner Photo – http://@williamsumnerphoto

 https://williamsumnerphoto.com/portfolio

PLANNER: Champagne Wishes – http://@champagnewishes  

https://www.champagnewisheswed.com/

OFFICIANT: Pete Hardesty   petehardesty.com/ 

RINGS: Stuller – @stullerinc   www.stuller.com 

GOWN:

Designer: Willowby by Watters – http://@willowbywatters

Name: Abigail

Style Number: 84834340

Color Code: 011 

VEIL/SHOES: Amazon – @amazon 

FORMALWEAR:

Jos. A. Bank – @josabank 

Men’s Wearhouse – @menswearhouse 

PRINT SERVICE: Cat Print – @catprint_llc   www.catprint.com/ 

FLOWERS: FlowerGirl Cville – @flowergirlcville   flowergirlcville.com 

RENTALS:

MS Events – @mseventscville   www.mseventscville.com/ 

Beggars Banquet Rentals, Orange, VA

https://www.beggarsbanquetrentals.com

CATERING:

Dayton’s Tavern – @daytontavern_catering    daytontavern.com/ 

The Local – @thelocalcatering   thelocal-cville.com/ 

DJ: Mark Allen, Class Productions  

https://www.classprodj.com 

CAKE: Baked on the James

https://www.bakedonthejames.com/

FAVORS: itspoppintime.com/ 

ACCOMMODATIONS: 

Oakhurst Inn

https://www.oakhurstinn.com

The Forum Hotel

https://www.forumhotelcharlottesville.com/

If you are planning a wedding in Roanoke, Richmond, Fredericksburg/Northern Virginia, The Shenandoah Valley, Coastal Virginia, or Charlottesville/ Lynchburg, Virginia, we can help with your wedding planning and ideas.