A Whimsical Circus Wedding at Inn at the Old Silk Mill in Fredericksburg, Virginia

Maggie Erwin (28 and an actor) and Doug Wilder (33 and an actor and education director) said “I do” during a traditional Mass at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, and followed their vow exchange with dinner and dancing at the Inn at the Old Silk Mill in Fredericksburg, Virginia. “We fell in love with the mill the moment we walked in,” Maggie says. “The brick walls and character of this awesome space made us feel that we’d be able to have a cozy, fun space for our big numbers.” Maggie and Doug's reception had with a vintage circus theme. “We’re both two wacky entertainers, and it felt fitting to provide a sense of whimsy for our guests," Maggie says. "It also gave us an opportunity to be extra-creative with our decorations and invitations.” The couple brought their vintage circus party to life from the DIY elements (red velvet curtains and signs) to the whimsical decor—colorful umbrellas, a candy station, a popcorn machine and a hanging-moon photo booth. For table centerpieces, Maggie, her sister and her mother collected vintage born bottles and tin containers from antiques stores and filled them with twinkle lights and autumn-colored flowers. Maggie made all the paper products as well, designing the save-the-dates, invitations, escort cards, table numbers and thank-you cards. The couple’s friend Missy designed their wedding logo, a watercolor painting of them sitting on a paper moon in the sky. As a wedding favor, small square magnets of their watercolor wedding logo were placed at each seat with a little card that read, “You’re stuck in your hearts. Now let us stick on your fridge.” Personal touches extended beyond the DIY decor to sentimental moments throughout the reception. Maggie surprised Doug with their first-dance song. Their friends sang a three-part harmony cover of the "Friends" theme song, “I’ll Be There for You.” As Maggie and Doug danced along, friends got up and sang along. “He absolutely loved it, and we’re so thankful to those friends for adding their voices to our lives, and our first dance,” Maggie says. In lieu of cake, the couple had two giant cast-iron skillets filled with blackberry and apple cobblers that they served to guests themselves. Clad in "Mrs. Wilder" and "Mr. Wilder" aprons, Maggie and Doug dished up cobblers a la mode. “It was so special to just calm things down, serve our guests and share that extra moment with them,” Maggie says. “Oh, and we didn’t take those aprons off for a while. I think we danced three songs with them on.” —Marissa Hermanson