An Elegant Burgundy Wedding at The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing in Richmond, Virginia

Jessica Calloway (30 and a program director at Anthem) and Evan Davis (27 and a sourcing specialist at the Federal Reserve System) brought their elegant celebration to life with a warm palette of blush, burgundy and gold, which complemented the architectural details of the red bricks and stately columns of the church where they became husband and wife. “We fell in love with the mission of St. Joseph’s,” Jessica says of their Richmond, Virginia, wedding. “And we wanted the money spent on our wedding to go toward making a difference in the community.” Most of Jessica and Evan's guests traveled for the wedding, so the couple "really wanted to give them a taste of Richmond,” the bride says. Guests bunked at the posh new Quirk Hotel, then celebrated the couple’s nuptials at St. Joseph’s Villa and The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing. For their ceremony, the couple decorated the chapel at St. Joseph’s Villa simply with altar flowers and signs at the entrance. “Simplicity really worked in our favor since the church had extremely high ceilings, beautiful stained glass windows, marble floors and massive, rustic wooden columns and pews,” Jessica says. Their Catholic ceremony included a sand ceremony in lieu of a traditional unity candle. After they were pronounced husband and wife, the newlyweds walked up the aisle to Stevie Wonder’s “As.” After the ceremony, friends and family celebrated the couple’s nuptials at The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing, a beautiful restaurant overlooking the James River and downtown Richmond. During cocktail hour, guests sipped on a signature cocktail (a cranberry-apple martini) called the Great Gatsby, named for the couple’s Boston Terrier. Before dinner, guests were entertained with wedding Mad Libs, which was included with each place setting. Jessica's uncle, radio personality James Brown, emceed for the night with jazz and upbeat R&B tunes, along with classic dance songs like “Wobble” and “Cha Cha Slide.” In lieu of favors, Jessica and Evan donated money to the American Cancer Society in memory of the friends and family members who have been affected by cancer. —Marissa Hermanson