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Bride: Regina Hall, 49, Marketing Director
Groom: David Sween, 57, Chief Operating Officer, Retired Navy Commander
Date: December 29, 2023
Venue: Mountain Lake Lodge, Pembroke, Virginia
Couples Residence: Springfield, Virginia
Guests: 68
LOVE STORY
The Beginning
David and Regina met on June 9, 2019. They initially connected on Match.com. They met at a seafood restaurant in Occoquan, Virginia a week later. Over dinner at Madigan’s Waterford, they felt an instant familiarity. David asked Regina, “have you ever wondered if you are on the last first date of the rest of your life?”
I Love You
David said, “I love you,” first. “It took me a bit longer, two weeks,” said Regina.
Engagement
David proposed to Regina on January 5, 2023. “He gave me a card for my birthday,” Regina said. “He then dropped to one knee and proposed with a 3”-inch cubic zirconia stunt ring.” “He picked a beautiful placeholder until we could go ring shopping.”
BACHELORETTE PARTY
November 2023, Regina’s closest friends, nieces and David’s sister hosted a Bachelorette Party for the bride-to-be. It was held at The Winery at Bull Run in Centreville, Virginia. They later enjoyed dinner at Hamrock’s Restaurant in Fairfax, Virginia.
VENUE
David and Regina’s ceremony and reception were held at Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke, Virginia on December 29, 2023.
THEME/COLOR PALETTE
David and Regina’s wedding theme was based on the song “The Time of Our Lives” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. Their color palette was red, teal, gold, black and Tiffany blue.
COORDINATOR
The Lodge’s wedding coordinator, Aleta Luther created the couple’s wedding timeline, coordinated logistics and decorated the ceremony and reception spaces.
ATTIRE
Bride
Regina wore a Collette satin ball gown by Rebecca Ingram. It was alabaster in color. The ballgown featured shimmering pearl and Swarovski crystal embellishments at the halter neckline and V-back. An attached beaded belt completed the gown’s pleated skirt. The buttons were covered with satin material and beads, as was the zipper closure.
Regina wore pearl drop earrings. Her perfume was Orange Blossom by Jo Malone. Her Seva-styled champagne-colored shoes were a 2-inch T-strap by Paradox London.
Regina’s Something:
Borrowed: Rose quartz stone carried in her pocket.
Blue: Tanzanite ring worn in memory of her older brother.
Old: Many heirloom brooches and a locket in memory of her dad adorned the bridal bouquet.
Bouquets
Regina’s bouquet was round and made of red satin artificial roses. It was embellished with pearls, rhinestones and heirloom items. The bridesmaid’s bouquet was made of artificial burgundy and white colored flowers with gold accents.
Bridesmaid
Regina’s bridesmaid wore a teal-colored a-line dress. The dress was a floor-length and an off-the-shoulder style.
Groom/Groomsman
David wore a black tuxedo, a colored teal tie and a cummerbund. The groomsman was dressed in the same attire as the groom.
David finished his look with a miniature Navy medal insignia placed over his left chest pocket.
Boutonnieres
David’s boutonniere was a single red rose. It was adorned with a guardian angel lapel pin that belonged to David’s mother. The groomsman’s boutonniere was a red rose.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Silver Pebble Photography was the couple’s photographer. Regina wore a 1960s mink cape for the outdoor photography session. The cape was purchased online through Luxury Vintage Girl, a bridal vintage fur shop.
First Look
The photographer took first-look pictures of David and Regina at the Lodge’s pier. The same pier “Neil Kellerman” (Lonny Price) took “Baby” (Jennifer Grey) on a romantic walk in the 1987 Movie, “Dirty Dancing,” directed by Emile Ardolino.
Mountain Top
Digital memories of David and Regina were taken at a scenic overlook at the top of Salt Pond Mountain. “I prayed for just enough snow for beautiful pictures,” said Regina. “God delivered a few majestic moments.” “We will always treasure the mountaintop portraits.”
CEREMONY
The ceremony was held on the first floor of the Lodge, in the Giles room. David and Regina said, “I do,” in front of a roaring gas fireplace opposite the room’s entrance. Regina’s youngest brother walked her down the aisle. And he gave her away in marriage to David. “My father and eldest brother walked with me in Spirit,” said Regina. Sixty-eight guests attended the ceremony. The guests were seated in white satin-covered chairs.
The ceremony was live-streamed. Thirty guests watched in real-time from the comfort of their homes. David’s son-in-law, Josh Arnbrister officiated the ceremony. “We pulled a pre-tied sailor’s knot to celebrate that our relationship has grown stronger under pressure,” Regina said. The guests celebrated the couple with a bubble exit as the recessional music started.
COCKTAIL HOUR
The cocktail hour was held at the opposite end of the room where the couple were married. David and Regina’s signature drinks were “Be My Baby” (Boulevardier) and “Love Man” (James Bond-style martini).
Appetizers included beef tenderloin sliders with horseradish aioli, miniature crab cakes with remoulade and a crudite display served with dip.
RECEPTION
The reception was held in the Giles room of the Lodge.
Decor
The reception decor included white tablecloths and chairs. Red ties adorned the chairs. Glass pillars atop mirrors were the tables’ centerpieces. The pillars were water-filled, lit with waterproof LED tea lights, clear marbles and floating candles. Gold charges and red napkins finished the table decor.
Entrances
The best man and the maid of honor entered the reception to the music of “Do You Love Me” by The Contours from the Dirty Dancing Soundtrack.
For their entrance, David and Regina performed a choreographed rumba to the lyrics of “True Companion” by Marc Cohn.
Menu
David and Regina selected the Lodge’s “A Distinguished Affair” menu for their reception dinner. Guests were served freshly baked bread, butternut squash soup, a mixed green salad, pork roast with apple cider reduction and sausage garnish or apple butter roasted chicken. The side dishes were roasted carrots, shallots, broccoli, potato medley and herbed wild rice.
Guest Book
Emily Heskett was the couple’s videographer. She created a video guest book for David and Regina as a keepsake. Emily was able to capture messages from 70% of the attendees. To help guests feel comfortable with being videoed, Emily prompted them with questions about the bride and groom.
Uplighting
The reception’s soft white uplighting enhanced the dinner meal atmosphere. Later in the evening, as dancing commenced, the color of the uplighting was changed to teal.
Choreographed Dance
In the months preceding their wedding day, David and Regina trained with the dance instructor Maria Bliznetsova.
David and Regina performed the mambo to the song “The Time of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. They replicated all the dance moves except the famous “lift” by
“Johnny Castle” (Patrick Swayze) and “Baby” (Jennifer Grey) in the 1987 Movie, “Dirty Dancing,” directed by Emile Ardolino. “Because we did not perform a lift, my niece organized a flash mob,” Regina said. “My nieces and nephews stormed the dance floor after our dance.” “They did lifts with their kids.” “One of my nephews and 12-year-old great-niece nailed a lift!”
Cake
The 2-tier vanilla wedding cake had buttercream frosting. The cake topper portrayed a couple performing the famous “lift” from the finale dance in the Movie, “Dirty Dancing.” The guests enjoyed vanilla and chocolate cupcakes. Cookies decorated with David’s Naval Academy emblem on them and inscribed with the words “Go Navy, Beat Army” were a guest favorite.
FAVORS
The couples’ favors were Tiffany blue boxes filled with their favorite candies.
HONEYMOON
The couple is planning a honeymoon trip to Savannah, Georgia in early May.
ADVICE
“Accept that something you envisioned will not happen,” said Regina. “Have a backup plan for the most important things to you.”
GROOM
Dancing was one of the groom’s favorite parts of the wedding day. “We practiced the rumba and mambo for months,” said David. “We pulled off our dances perfectly.” “We inspired several couples to start taking dance lessons.”
Bride: Regina Hall Sween – @hall.regina
VENDORS
VENUE: Mountain Lake Lodge @mtnlakelodge http://mtnlakelodge
VIDEOGRAPHER: Emily Heskett – @emilyheskett_photography
PHOTOGRAPHER: Silver Pebble Photography – @silverpebblephotography
CATERING: Mountain Lake Lodge @mtnlakelodge
COORDINATORS: Aleta Luther, Raechel Kiefer, Lyndsi Hale – @mtnlakelodge
PLANNING: The Master Plan – @wolferandc http://@wolferandco
OFFICIANT: Josh Arnbrister
LEGAL OFFICIANT: Aaron Riddle @virginiaelope
RINGS: James Allen @jamesallenrings
GOWN: LaBella Bridal @labellabridalva
STYLE: Rebecca Ingram
ALTERATIONS: LaBella Bridal @labellabridalva
MAKEUP: Sarah Hedges @primrosewedding
MUSIC: Rick Pruett @djrickpruett
CAKE: Sarah Hedges @primrosewedding
TRANSPORTATION: Enterprise @enterprise
ACCOMMODATIONS: Mountain Lake Lodge @mtnlakelodge
DANCE INSTRUCTOR: Maria Bliznetsova @maria_bliznetsova_pro
WEDDING CONCEPT DESIGNER: Karen @casakarima
PHOTOBOOTH: Clear Choice Photobooth @clearchoicephotobooth
LIVESTREAM: Wedfuly @wedfuly
VINTAGE FUR: Luxury Vintage Girl @luxuryvintagegirl
BOUQUET: Etsy
PROGRAM: Etsy
INVITATIONS: Canva, Shutterfly
FLOWERS: Costco, Amazon, Temu
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES: Amazon
FORMALWEAR: Amazon
VEIL: Amazon
SHOES: Zappos
HAIR: Allie Perkins
FAVORS: Walmart & Amazon
BACHELORETTE PARTY: Hamrock’s Restaurant, Fairfax, VA & The Winery at Bull Run – @wineryatbullrun
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.
