1. Real Weddings

An Elegant Autumn Wedding at Blue Valley Vineyard and Winery in Delaplane, Virginia

With a love for the great outdoors and adventure, Julia Wahlstrom (24 and a human resources manager) and Derrick Edwards (24 and a consultant) were dr

With a love for the great outdoors and adventure, Julia Wahlstrom (24 and a human resources manager) and Derrick Edwards (24 and a consultant) were drawn to Blue Valley Vineyard and Winery in Delaplane, Virginia, with its beautiful mountain backdrop. “Derrick and I knew we wanted our ceremony outside,” Julia says. “We love being outside, whether we’re hiking, camping or kayaking. It’s where we feel happiest.” A subtle palette of white, pewter and gray with hints of purple, green and gold added elegance to their autumn celebration. “Derrick and I love elegant and simple looks, so that is exactly what we wanted to emulate through our wedding theme," Julia says. “We went back and forth on colors and finally decided on the perfect mix of white and gray with gold accents. It was perfect and really made our wedding feel like us.” A ceremony overlooking the mountains was not just breathtaking but sentimental, with Julia and Derrick bringing guests to tears with their handwritten vows. During the reception, they served an array of comfort foods: mini potpies, fingerling baked potatoes and polenta cake topped with short ribs as appetizers and a fall salad with and steak Diane or stuffed chicken for dinner. “If that isn’t comfort food, I don’t know what is,” Julia says. After dinner, Julia surprised Derrick with a camping-, fishing- and kayaking-themed groom’s cake. And in lieu of favors, they had a food truck serve an assortment of mini doughnuts before Julia and Derrick’s romantic sparkler exit. —Marissa Hermanson

Classic navy invitations with white lettering set the tone for their timeless celebration at Blue Valley Vineyard and Winery in Delaplane, Virginia.
The middle diamond in Julia’s engagement ring is the same diamond that her dad had proposed to her mom with. “I’m pretty sure after 39 years of marriage this diamond is good luck,” the bride says. “I hope to pass it down to my daughter one day.”
“I knew I wanted a simple dress, but I also wanted some details,” Julia says. She donned a strapless Allure gown with a dramatic layered train. “It was perfect,” she says. She paired it with Michael Kors heels and a simple veil that did not detract from the dress.
Bridesmaids wore one-shoulder floor-length gray gowns and carried compact bouquets of white hydrangeas, purple limonium and soft green dusty miller.
Julia carried a lush bouquet overflowing with ivory garden roses, white ranunculus, purple limonium and soft green dusty miller.
Derrick and his groomsmen sported grey suits from Black Tux, forgoing a traditional black tuxedo for a more casual look. The men accessorized their look with boutonnieres of white ranunculus, purple limonium and dusty miller.
The ceremony site, overlooking the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, was simply decorated with an arbor, garland and baskets of flowers lining the aisle.
Wooden signage and decor added a rustic touch to their nuptial celebration.
Tables were adorned with gold compotes filled with white hydrangeas, ivory roses, purple limonium and dusty miller. Gold chargers, chiavari chairs and table numbers in vintage gold frames added a touch of sophistication.
Each table had small black guest book, where friends and family wrote advice and sweet notes. “It is so fun to look at all those books, and we'll have them for years to come,” Julia says.
The couple's four-tier tuxedo pumpkin chocolate cake was covered in caramel buttercream and topped with "You Are My Greatest Adventure."
Julia surprised Derrick with a camping-, fishing-, and kayaking-themed groom’s cake, a nod to his love for the outdoors.
In lieu of favors, Julia and Derrick served mini doughnuts from Mama’s Donut Bites. “I can’t tell you how many people went back for seconds and thirds,” Julia says.
The couple's magical evening culminated with a grand sparkler exit.