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.
THE FACTS:
This wedding is featured in the current fall | winter issue of Virginia Bride and reprinted here.
THE BRIDE: (maiden name, CURRENT age, and occupation) Victoria Bartholomew, 33, Realtor
THE GROOM: (name, CURRENT age, and occupation) Jordan Reeves, 37, Small Business Advisor
THE DATE: September 25, 2021
THE LOCATION: Chateau De Carsix, Normandy, France
THE NUMBER OF GUESTS: 58
Victoria and Jordan
Bride and groom Victoria and Jordan share the twists and turns of their love story, complete with old flames and rekindled connections, and detail the elements of their modern, magical wedding day.
Victoria tells the story. “My older stepbrother was great friends with Jordan when we were kids, so when I moved into my stepdad’s house as a teenager, I immediately had a big-time crush on Jordan. Skip to 18 years later when Jordan was in town just for the weekend to help his mom, who had just had her hip replaced (he lived five hours away). He showed up on my Tinder. I screamed out loud, recognizing him immediately, and then I promptly swiped the wrong way. Then I screamed again and promptly paid $20 (the best $20 ever spent) to Tinder Premium so I could go back and swipe the correct way. We met up for drinks the next day and didn’t want to date anyone else after that. The real twist? It turns out Jordan’s mom was my divorce attorney from my first marriage.”
After they’d been together for a while, Jordan was ready with a ring, waiting for just the right moment to pop the question. Victoria remembers, “When Joe Biden was finally called as the winner of the 2020 election, Jordan thought, ‘Great! I can propose tonight!’ and I thought, ‘Great! Let’s have people over to celebrate this amazing occasion!’ We had friends over to celebrate the election, and when I went upstairs for a sweater, Jordan came upstairs and proposed. It was magical as we then got to celebrate our engagement, as well as the election, with our friends!”
For their unique ceremony, Jordan wore a forest green wool suit by J. Crew and shoes by Thursday Boot Company. Victoria wrote, “To the ceremony and cocktail hour, I wore an off-the-shoulder A-line gown with tulle overlay and beaded applique, purchased at Celebration Bridal in Lynchburg, VA. My earrings were from BHLDN. I wore a dried floral crown by Cayla Couture. Later, I changed into a cream-colored belted jumpsuit by Fame & Partners for the reception.”
The happy couple took photos all over the chateau property, getting both interior and exterior shots. Victoria recalls, “The location was full of so much detail in the gardens and inside one of the salons. There was something new to see and some form of new light. While taking photos after the ceremony, our guests headed around back of the chateau to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and live music from our harpist and violinist and drink champagne from our champagne wall.” The couple brought Amber Lamphere with Amber Mae Photography from Lynchburg to France with them. They felt it was worth it because of how much they love her work.
Victoria stated, “We love her aesthetic and her energy, which is very contagious. She takes very romantic photos, which we felt were perfect for the chateau vibe. She stayed at the chateau with us for three days, shooting all three days of celebrations.”
The couple held their ceremony in front of the chateau on the pea gravel drive with a custom floral arch in front. Victoria said, “Jordan’s sister, Collier, acted as the officiant and wore a custom stole their partner Maryah made them for the occasion. We were so happy that so many of our friends and family could make it.”
The couple decided not to have a bridal party. Victoria said, “We were a happy, close group all together, making everyone essentially a part of the bridal party. We are not religious and therefore made completely personal vows to one another. The whole event was short and sweet, and cheers rang out as well as the harp and violin played as we walked away as husband and wife.”
For the ceremony, the couple involved family. Victoria said, “We wrote our own vows, and Collier, Jordan’s sister and our officiant, wrote the ceremony that was personalized to us. We had a harpist and violinist play before the ceremony, during the recessional, and at the cocktail hour afterward. They played a mix of modern songs with classics.”
The couple and their guests enjoyed their time thoroughly, especially celebrating the fine French cuisine. Victoria said, “We had so many meals over the three days we were there. From amazing brunch spreads with fresh tomato and smoked salmon with straight-from-the-village pastries to our cocktail hour hors d’oeuvres with tiny gazpachos and savory toasts and the three-course wedding meal with the most amazing creamy butternut squash soup and roast potatoes, every bite was as incredible and diverse as the last!”
For a special French touch for their day, they opted for several desserts and the traditional French Croquembouche, which is a tower of puff pastry connected by caramel. These took the place of the American tradition of a wedding cake.
INGREDIENTS LIST:
CEREMONY AND RECEPTION SITE: Chateau De Carsix Normandy France
PHOTOGRAPHY: Amber Mae Photography, 315-717-7727, Lynchburg, VA
CONSULTANT/PLANNER: Fabienne Calvo Events Normandy, France
OFFICIANT Collier Reeves (Jordan’s sister) Durham, NC
GOWN: Unknown designer, purchased at Celebration Bridal in Lynchburg, VA
SHOES: Chinese Laundry
HAIR: Le Salon De Justine, Nancy, France
MAKEUP: done by the bride
BRIDESMAID DRESSES: none
INVITATIONS: Minted
FLOWERS: Maison Alba, Normandy, France
CATERING: Johann Mon Chef, Normandy, France
CEREMONY AND RECEPTION MUSIC: DJ Tan Hands & Doc Rez,
ACCOMMODATIONS: Chateauarsix
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.
