1. Real Weddings

A Gorgeous, Historical Wedding at George Washington's River Farm in Alexandria, Virginia

Laura van Opstal (25 and a historic preservation planner) and Teddy van Opstal (26 and a doctoral candidate) met through mutual friends at the Univers

Laura van Opstal (25 and a historic preservation planner) and Teddy van Opstal (26 and a doctoral candidate) met through mutual friends at the University of Virginia. Teddy planned a trip to Charleston, South Carolina. He took her out to dinner at a rooftop restaurant, and then suggested a walk in Battery Park. Teddy had been fiddling with the ring in his pocket all night, but Laura believed him when he said he was just messing with their hotel room key. As the sun was setting, Teddy proposed to Laura with her maternal grandmother’s 1930’s diamond ring. They had their wedding at the George Washington’s River Farm, the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society. The ceremony took place under an award-winning osage tree on the property, and the reception was held in a tented terrace. This garden party wedding had a soft, light color palette of peaches, pinks and powder blues. Their ethereal floral designs included beautiful white and peach ranunculuses, pink lisianthus blooms, pink garden roses and hypercium berries. Since they had their wedding on the Fourth of July, Laura and Teddy included many patriotic details in their day, including red, white and blue pinwheels, lawn games, tables named after the thirteen colonies and mini American flags for their send-off. This historical garden party wedding was gorgeous and memorable.

Floral Invitations in Peach, Pink and Powder Blue
Both the ceremony and reception were held at the historic river farm, which George Washington used to own. This property now houses the American Horticultural Society.
Sapphire Ring and Pearl Wedding Jewelry
Jack Roger Sandals for Bridal Footwear
The bridal bouquet included peach and white ranunculuses and pink roses as well as hypercium berries and sprigs of Queen Anne's Lace.
Corset Back Lace Gown With Bow
Laura wore an A-line, lace wedding dress created by Kenneth Winston. She also wore an elbow length veil with lace trim.
Bridesmaids in Knee Length Powder Blue Dresses at Summer Wedding
Newlyweds at River Farm in Alexandria
Teddy wore a pink rose boutonniere with Queen Anne's lace. His seersucker red and blue bow tie and blue striped pocket square popped against the dark gray of his suit.
Powder Blue Wedding Program Fans
Laura and Teddy were married under the largest osage tree in the country, on George Washington's River Farm. They had an interfaith ceremony with both a pastor and a rabbi since Laura is Christian and Teddy is Jewish.
Flower arrangements of pink and white roses, peach hydrangeas and hypercium berries hung from chairs and lined the ceremony aisle.
Since the wedding was on the Fourth of July, guests were given commemorative red, white and blue pinwheels.
White Runner on Long Head Table With Peach and White Flowers
The centerpieces at the reception included mason jars with pink lisianthus flowers, eucalyptus leaves and Queen Anne's lace on wood slabs. The tables were named after the original 13 colonies of the United States.
Laura and Teddy had lawn games at their wedding because it fell on the Fourth of July. The corn holes were decorated with University of Virginia's colors and mascot.
Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe provided lemon scones with cream and berry filling for dessert in addition to the wedding cake.
The three tier, vanilla buttercream cake was filled with strawberry and vanilla mousse. It was decorated with peach and white ranunculuses.