BRIDE: Kristina Vladi DiStefano, 32, Analyst
GROOM: Christopher Austin Lindley, 31, Recruiter
DATE: April 20, 2019
LOCATION: The River View at Occoquan
NUMBER OF GUESTS: 85
Kristina & Austin first met through mutual friends, but after an evening spent together as “just friends” at an American Red Heart Charity event, they knew there was more in the future for them than the occasional hangout.
In fact, the relationship blossomed into wonderful adventures and romantic getaways, including their first international trip together to Europe in March 2018. While overlooking the Danube River from the Fisherman’s Bastion at the castle in Budapest, Austin popped the question through some clever finagling with a photographer and a pre-arranged polaroid.
The happy couple decided on a spring wedding the following year, emphasizing the season with their color choices of ivory, golds, and lavender accents along other neutral tones. The special flair for the day was the whimsical floral arrangements featuring white, purple, lavender, and green shades.
Kristina’s stunning gown is the Copacabana by Ian Stuart, in a delicate ivory, with a strapless bodice and mermaid skirt layered in organza and taffeta. Beaded throughout the dress are Swarovski crystal leaves, adding glints of sparkle and elegance. Her chapel-length ivory veil by Toni Federici, Jimmy Choo “Sophia” pumps in silver, Nadri drop earrings, and a diamond tennis bracelet (a gift from the groom) finished out her style for the day with absolute elegance and grace.
Austin wore a custom three-piece, navy-blue suit by Enzo Custom in D.C., with the wedding date sewn inside the jacket collar as a sweet memory of this day for each time he wears the suit in the future. The groomsmen wore gray suits from Men’s Wearhouse, while the bridesmaids wore dusty lavender shades of overlapping panels of tiny pleats in their chiffon gowns by #LEVKOFF.
While the guests enjoyed the cocktail hour at River View, the happy couple slipped off with the photographer to capture the stunning views of the Occoquan River and the cottage at the River View.
As a fun side note, Austin used to work on the same hallway as the photographer at Butterfly Photography and once told her “one day you’ll do my wedding.” He was right! And the results are absolutely stunning.
The happy couple left for their honeymoon one week after the wedding. They spent a week in St. Lucia in beautiful bungalows at the Lucia Grande, enjoying eight days of hiking, boat tours, and a glorious helicopter ride.
CEREMONY+RECEPTION SITE+CATERING – The River View at Occoquan – Lorton, VA
PHOTOGRAPHY – Butterfly Photography – Vienna, VA – 571-274-7107
VIDEOGRAPHY – Toast Weddings – 833-88-TOAST
OFFICIANT – Family friend
GOWN – Ian Stuart bought from Zoya’s Atelier in Falls Church, VA
VEIL – Toni Federici purchased from Nordstrom
SHOES – Jimmy Choo purchased from Bloomingdales
HAIR – Remona Soleimani – Vienna, VA – 703-597-9884
MAKEUP – Shenoa Nicole Makeup – DMV – 717-793-1651
BRIDESMAID DRESSES – Levkoff – purchased from Macy’s
FORMALWEAR – Custom suit (groom), Men’s Warehouse (groomsmen)
INVITATIONS – Minted.com
FLOWERS – Cedar & Lime Co. DMV
MUSIC – Ceremony and Reception – Cherry Blossom Strings (Ceremony) – DC
Sam Hill Entertainment (Reception) – Charlottesville, VA – 866-726-2660
ENTERTAINMENT – Sam Hill Entertainment
CAKE – M&T Events – Woodbridge, VA
FAVORS – M&T Events (macaroons) – Woodbridge, VA
TRANSPORTATION – Dulles Limousine LLC
ACCOMMODATIONS – Hilton Garden Inn Woodbridge
HONEYMOON – St. Lucia Grande
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.
