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Bride: Carrie Mason, 26, Nurse
Groom: Bradley Farmer, 26, Construction Manager
Date: September 30, 2023
Venue: The Barns at Mattaponi Springs
Guests: 145
LOVE STORY
Chance Meeting Over Milkshakes
Bradley and Carrie met ten years ago when they were high school juniors and while working their first jobs at the same company. The bride said, “A few co-workers planned to get ice cream one night after work, but they each canceled, leaving only us.” “We got milkshakes and talked all night.” “Days later, we had our first date at Plaza Azteca, and after dinner, we hung out at Bradley’s home until curfew, and the rest is history.”
Engagement
On July 23, 2022, Bradley proposed to Carrie at their favorite spot, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Carrie recalled, “We were on a family vacation and sitting on the beach with Bradley’s sister, Taylor, and brother-in-law.” “Taylor wanted a photo with her husband, and I took a few for her, then she wanted to take photos of us, and as she was snapping photos, Bradley got down on one knee to propose.”
VENUE
The Barns at Mattaponi Springs is in Virginia between Richmond and Fredericksburg. It’s a country estate with sophisticated elegance and rustic charm overlooking the water. The all-inclusive venue offers two climate-controlled Barns with a capacity of 200, overnight accommodations, golf, and much more.
Bradley and Carrie chose this venue because they loved the view of the grassy field with the pond in the distance. The couple said, “It was the perfect spot for our ceremony.”
The Poplar Barn was the correct size for their reception because of their large guest count, and the Pine Barn offered a smaller, more intimate option for their rehearsal dinner.
The bride said, “The venue offered dressing suites, and after the rehearsal dinner, my friends and I spent the night in The Manor House, and the guys stayed in the Potomac Cottage.” “Everything was immaculate.”
COORDINATOR
Tammy Anderson, the venue’s Events Director, was the couple’s coordinator. The bride said, “She handled everything on the wedding day, which went smoothly.” “She managed vendors, bridal party, and family and helped ensure the timeline we agreed on was completed appropriately.”
THEME
Carrie said, “I wanted a simple/romantic theme for our wedding, and I liked the idea of having mirrors for our signage.” “I purchased, secondhand, or borrowed all the mirrors used in the wedding.” “My bridesmaid, Sarah, helped me use a Cricut machine to cut all the letterings.”
The wedding colors were dusty blue, ivory, and greenery with gold accents. The bride said, “I chose dusty blue because it is one of my favorite colors.”
FLOWERS
King William Florist created the bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, and flowers to decorate the wedding arbor. Carrie ordered pre-made greenery garland, white roses, baby’s breath, and extra spare pieces of greenery for the reception centerpieces.
ATTIRE
Bride
Carrie said, “I wanted a simple ball gown.” “Something that made me feel like a bride but comfortable.”
The bride said, “I wore Kendra Scott earrings.” “I told Bradley I wanted these earrings for our wedding day.” “He surprised me with them as a Christmas present in 2019.”
Carrie’s something old was a white gold bracelet from Kendra Scott; something borrowed was a ring lent from an aunt; Badgley Mischka’s blue heels with jewels were her something blue; and something new was a gift from Bradley, a David Yurman bracelet.
Bouquets
The bride chose a large white floral bouquet with greenery and smaller complimentary bouquets for the bridesmaids.
Bridesmaids
The bridesmaids wore personalized dusty blue dresses from Azazie.
Groom/Groomsmen
The groom wore a navy suit and vest from Generation Tux, a dusty blue tie, and a pocket square. Bradley’s socks were embroidered with his initials. The groomsmen wore the same suit and socks with their initials. The boutonnieres were a white rose with greenery.
FIRST LOOKS
The first looks were held on the side lawn of The Manor House.
The bride recalled, “My dad had not seen my dress, so having a first look with him was a sentimental moment I will always cherish.”
The couple decided on a first look for two reasons: so their photographer could capture Bradley’s expression as he saw Carrie in her wedding gown and veil for the first time and to complete their couple portraits before the ceremony, allowing them to join their guests during the cocktail hour.
CEREMONY
The ceremony was held on the front lawn of The Manor House, overlooking the pond. The venue supplied the couple’s hand-made wooden arch and natural wood folding chairs for the ceremony.
The arch was decorated with large white flowers, roses, and greenery. The Manor House doors that opened for the bride’s entrance were decorated with green wreaths and fresh white roses. Each aisle chair was decorated with a white rose with greenery and tied with a dusty blue ribbon.
COCKTAIL HOUR
The cocktail hour was held on the lawn between The Manor House and the Poplar Barn’s outdoor covered space filled with wooden cocktail tables. As guests mingled, they were served mini pimento grilled cheese, pineapple-marinated flank steak skewers, and bacon-wrapped BBQ chicken bites.
RECEPTION
The reception was held in the Poplar Barn with wooden features: farm tables, x-back chairs, a bar, and display shelves.
Entrances
The couple entered the reception to the music “Snap Yo Fingers” by E-40, Lil Jon. The bride said, “We had our bridal party do fun entrances; watching them enter the reception was cool.”
Music
The DJ played pop, classic rock, and country music during the reception. The bride said, “We had so much fun.” “We spent most of the night on the dance floor, and as the sunset, we added glow sticks.”
Menu
The buffet menu included a garden salad, roasted pork loin rubbed with fresh rosemary and garlic, served with creamy herb chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans.
First Dances
The couple’s first dance song was “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton. Father and daughter danced to “My Little Girl” by Tim McGraw, and the Mother/Son song was “My Wish” by Rascal Flats.
Cake
The couple selected a sweetheart cake and assorted cupcake flavors for guests.
Favors
The favors included koozies and an assortment of homemade cookies.
Exit
The couple shared a private last dance in the Poplar Barn, followed by a sparkler exit.
HONEYMOON
The couple honeymooned in Kauai, HI.
VENDORS
Wedding Venue: The Barns at Mattaponi Springs – @barnsatmattaponisprings
Engagement Venue: Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
Engagement Photographer: Stephanie Alberse – @stephanie.albersephoto
Wedding Photographer: Stephanie Alberse – @stephanie.albersephoto
Videographer: Rilee Jackson – @rileejacksonvisuals
Coordinator: The Barns at Mattaponi Springs – @barnsatmattaponisprings
Officiant: Brian Purcell (Family Friend)
Legal Officiant: Relish – Say I Do!! Officiant & Photographer – @relishp
Gown: Ava Laurene – @avalaurennebride
Alterations: @seansalterations
Veil: Borrowed from a friend
Shoes: Badgley Mischka- @badgleymischka
Hair: FBJ Weddings – @fbjweddings
Makeup: FBJ Weddings – @fbjweddings
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: @azazieoffical
Groom’s Attire: @generationtux
Groomsmen Attire: @generationtux
Invitations: @zola
Flowers: King William Florist – @kwfweddings
Rental Equipment: Party Perfect – @partyperfect804
Catering: @eatcateringrva
Music: Steve’s Mobile DJ Service
Cake: Rach’s Home Cakery
Favors: @sycamorestudiosco
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.
