Our Unforgettable Wedding Day at Oxon Hill Manor: A Timeless Celebration Captured by Michelle Lindsay Photography

Finally, after much anticipation, I’m thrilled to share the story of our incredible wedding day! Prepare for an abundance of joyous photographs, lovingly captured by our phenomenal photographer, Michelle Lindsay, who perfectly preserved every precious moment you’ll see below. It feels surreal to be sitting down to write this, especially as Connor and I approach our three-month wedding anniversary – where has the time truly gone?

In so many ways, our wedding on April 11th feels like it happened just yesterday. The memories are vivid, fresh, and filled with an almost tangible glow. Yet, when I consider all the transformative events that have unfolded since then – graduating, embarking on an exciting apartment hunt, traveling to new places, experiencing an unforgettable elephant encounter, and navigating the whirlwind of packing, moving, and unpacking – a part of me feels like it was a lifetime ago. The sheer volume of life lived in such a short span is truly baffling.

As many wise friends and family members cautioned us, our wedding day itself passed in an absolute blur. Seriously, it flew by in what felt like seconds. Despite the swiftness, it was undeniably one of the most magnificent and emotionally charged days of my entire life. My brother-in-law, Brian, often shared a profound insight leading up to the big day, which I’ll paraphrase: “It’s one of the rare occasions in your life when all your dearest friends, closest family, and loved ones gather in a single room to celebrate this monumental milestone with you.” His words resonated deeply, and he was absolutely right – it was a once-in-a-lifetime gathering of love.

While I didn’t extensively document our wedding planning journey over the past year and a half on the blog, I did allude to it a few times. The process itself was a fascinating blend of emotions: amazing, incredibly exciting, genuinely fun, and, yes, at times, a little stressful and overwhelmingly time-consuming. There were evenings when Connor and I, exhausted from a day filled with wedding decisions, would look at each other and jokingly (or perhaps half-seriously) declare, “Next year, we definitely won’t be planning a wedding!” And yet, reflecting on it now, I would wholeheartedly do it all again. It was a unique, special chapter in our lives, brimming with anticipation and shared dreams. We were incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by such a supportive network of family and friends, along with an outstanding team of vendors who orchestrated every detail, ensuring the day unfolded with effortless grace and joy.

The week leading up to our Oxon Hill Manor wedding was, as expected, a whirlwind of activity and nervous excitement. My primary concern during the early part of the week revolved around our reception tent and, more critically, the unpredictable weather. The forecast for our chosen date was initially quite grim, threatening rain. Both our wedding ceremony and the reception were planned for the magnificent Oxon Hill Manor, a stunning historic estate built in the 1920s, nestled just outside Old Town, Alexandria. Despite meticulously arranging a robust rain plan, our deepest hope was to hold our ceremony outdoors in the exquisite garden, offering breathtaking views of the Potomac River.

Miraculously, as the week progressed, the weather forecast began to shift, improving with each passing day. By Thursday, the outlook for Saturday, April 11th, was nothing short of perfection: glorious sunshine, ideal temperatures hovering in the mid-60s (my absolute favorite weather!), and a 0% chance of rain! We were utterly shocked and immensely grateful for such an incredible stroke of luck. Following a long DC winter, the manor grounds were a riot of color, adorned with vibrant daffodils and several majestic cherry blossom trees, all at their peak bloom. At one point, as we took photographs, it literally felt like it was raining cherry blossom petals around us, creating a magical, dreamlike atmosphere. There wasn’t a single cloud in the sky. We genuinely could not have wished for a more picturesque and perfect wedding day.

After an incredibly special rehearsal dinner, hosted by my wonderful parents-in-law on Friday night, I woke up at our hotel on Saturday, April 11th, feeling a potent mix of restlessness, excitement, and nerves. The entire bridal party was scheduled to head to our venue, Oxon Hill Manor, just after 9 o’clock that morning. Connor and his groomsmen, meanwhile, remained at the hotel, preparing before making their way to the manor just before our ceremony began. I vividly remember turning to my best friend and maid-of-honor, Caroline, around seven in the morning and declaring, “I just can’t sleep anymore!” She, still groggy, playfully groaned and told me to try to go back to bed. But it was futile – sleep was simply not happening.

A few hours later, my bridesmaids – which included my two older sisters, sister-in-law, maid-of-honor, and two of my dearest college friends – along with my mom and mother-in-law, and I finally arrived at the stunning Oxon Hill Manor. We were greeted by our amazing hair and makeup team, and our caterer thoughtfully provided a delicious spread of breakfast, coffee, and snacks to fuel us through the morning. Honestly, I had fully braced myself to be a bundle of nerves and anxiety throughout the entire day. Yet, to my surprise, I felt an extraordinary sense of calm. It was an abnormally peaceful feeling, an unexpected but very pleasant surprise. While I didn’t eat much, that profound calmness truly helped me stay relaxed for most of the day, except for a brief twenty-minute window right before the ceremony, when those infamous stomach butterflies finally decided to make an appearance! It also helped that my adorable 4-month-old nephew, Arthur, joined us that morning, providing delightful distractions and keeping our spirits high while we got ready. Babies, in the best possible way, are wonderfully distracting. This sweet little guy endured quite a bit that morning, including an alarming quantity of hairspray – don’t worry, he was safely out of the room during that particular part of the beauty routine!

Before I knew it, it was my turn in the hair and makeup chair. Our talented wedding photographer, Michelle Lindsay, had arrived and was already capturing candid moments. The chairs for our outdoor ceremony were meticulously arranged in the garden, and the reception tent was slowly transforming, with tables, elegant centerpieces, and place settings beginning to fill the space. The next few hours passed in an exhilarating blur. Soon after, I was slipping into my beautiful wedding dress, then posing for bridal party photographs, all while cleverly avoiding Connor and the groomsmen who arrived shortly after (we opted against a first look, preferring the traditional moment at the aisle). Finally, my veil was carefully placed, completing my bridal ensemble.

After a year and a half of meticulous planning, countless decisions, and endless anticipation, this long-awaited day was officially unfolding. We were just moments away from becoming husband and wife!

[I love this guy.]

It’s truly a surreal experience to spend so much time discussing, debating, and finalizing countless wedding details – from the precise shades of wedding flowers and colors to the smallest decorative bits and pieces – and then finally witness them all coalesce into a breathtaking reality on your wedding day. Every element, every choice, came together beautifully. We were so incredibly lucky to collaborate with such a team of amazing professionals, many of whom we discovered through the recommendations of my older sister, Pippa, and her husband, Brian, who had celebrated their own wedding in DC just a few years prior.

As luck would have it, our stunning venue, Oxon Hill Manor, had decided to erect a seasonal tent, and it was put up just before our wedding! Throughout the planning process, the specifics of the tent had been one of those minor uncertainties. We weren’t quite sure what the final structure would look like, so imagine our absolute delight and relief when we learned it would be a gorgeous clear-topped tent! This design choice made the entire reception space feel incredibly airy and bright, almost like being outdoors. Given the absolutely fantastic weather, we took full advantage, keeping one side of the tent (the one leading up to the historic manor) open almost all night, allowing for a seamless flow and fresh air.

For our head table, Connor and I chose a single, very long, rustic Tuscan farm table, complete with matching farm chairs, which comfortably seated our entire wedding party. The rest of the reception tables were elegant rounds, draped in natural Belfast linen, creating a lovely contrast. We adorned the tables with a beautiful combination of mercury glass and silver votives, generously provided by our talented florist. Adding a unique touch, I found these charming copper table lanterns online, which perfectly complemented our aesthetic. To further enhance the decor, we cleverly utilized all the bridal party’s bouquets to help fill in the head table, adding more floral beauty. Our amazing day-of wedding planner, Janice Carnevale of Bellwether Events, provided us with the elegant wooden table number signs. The standout piece, a magnificent 24-foot-long burlap table runner, was a custom order from the wonderful Ranchesque Etsy shop! The owner was an absolute pleasure to work with, and the runner itself was beautifully sewn, high quality, and incredibly well-priced. I can’t wait to have it hemmed so we can repurpose it for our normal-sized dining room table – a lovely keepsake from our special day.

And then, just like that, the moment I had dreamt of for so long arrived: the ceremony began, and I was walking down the aisle with my beloved dad! I remember turning the corner of the manor, and my eyes immediately found Connor’s across the beautiful garden. That instant, all the nerves and excitement coalesced into a singular, profound emotion. For the rest of the way down the aisle, I clung to my dad’s arm for dear life, more worried my heels would get stuck in the grass than anything else, but utterly captivated by Connor’s gaze. Our ceremony itself was everything we hoped for: short, sweet, incredibly sentimental, and utterly perfect in its simplicity and heartfelt vows.

As our wonderful guests savored the cocktail hour, enjoying delicious passed hors d’oeuvres and celebratory drinks, Connor and I slipped away with our incredible photographer, Michelle Lindsay, to capture some intimate and romantic photographs amidst the stunning gardens of Oxon Hill Manor. It was a perfect moment to breathe, reflect, and simply be together as a newly married couple, soaking in the magic of the day.

Don’t worry, I certainly didn’t forget about the food! Although, sadly, I barely ate much the entire night – everyone warned me this would happen, and it truly is an accurate prediction! Despite my limited consumption, everything was absolutely delicious and exquisitely presented. Plus, let’s be honest, the process of figuring out and finalizing the menu was, without a doubt, the most enjoyable and stress-free part of our entire wedding planning journey. We loved every tasting and decision along the way.

Since I know many of you are curious about the culinary delights we served on our wedding day, here was our (if I do say so myself, pretty tasty!) menu, carefully curated to delight our guests:

First Course

Crab and Avocado Salad with Spring Herb Vicchysoisse, Compressed Melon, and Microgreens – a light and refreshing start to the meal.

Main Course:

Braised Beef Short Ribs with Chipotle and Green Chili Sauce, accompanied by Silver Queen Corn Souffle Timbale and perfectly Grilled Asparagus. This hearty and flavorful dish was a definite crowd-pleaser.

Wedding Cake:

We opted for two distinct and equally delectable flavors to cater to every preference: a rich Vahlrona Chocolate Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream, and a vibrant Spring Lemon Cake with fresh Strawberry-Rhubarb Buttercream. Both were incredibly moist and utterly divine.

After all the heartfelt and often hilarious speeches (which were truly incredible!), it was time for our first dance. We chose Ray LaMontagne’s soulful You Are the Best Thing, and it was a moment of pure bliss, just us swaying together, lost in each other’s eyes.

And then, the real party truly began as the dance floor opened up! I have to give major props to Connor’s younger cousins, who were absolutely instrumental in getting everyone, and I mean *everyone*, onto the dance floor. It wasn’t long before the floor was completely packed, pulsating with energy, and every single person was having an incredible time. Several of Connor’s younger cousins took their dancing extremely seriously, and their infectious enthusiasm made the entire night so much fun and unforgettable! I won’t name names, but one particularly enthusiastic dancer even managed to tear his pants doing the splits – a testament to the high-energy celebration!

And then, to everyone’s delight, my adorable nephew joined us on the dance floor! He was an absolute champ, busting out some serious moves and adding an extra layer of cuteness to the celebration.

Case in point: these amazing cousin dancers!

This was Connor’s little cousin, Kevin, who also had the important role of our ring bearer! He literally danced non-stop – we’re talking splits, headstands, break-dancing, you name it – for more than an hour before finally passing out cold on his mom’s lap. He’s only six years old and clearly has better moves than both of us combined! His incredible energy and enthusiasm were truly a highlight of the night.

As a delightful surprise, we decided to provide our guests with late-night snacks around 10 pm! We served delicious ‘fish and chips’ in adorable bamboo cones, a fun homage to my English heritage. To help everyone cool off and refuel from all the enthusiastic dancing, we also offered miniature ice cream cones filled with an assortment of tasty flavors: refreshing pina colada ice cream, classic mint chocolate chip, and a tangy blackcurrant sorbet. These treats were a huge hit and the perfect ending to a night of celebration.

And then, just as quickly as our vibrant reception began, it was somehow over. We found ourselves hugging our cherished friends and family, bidding farewell to everyone as we departed for the hotel, our hearts full. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all of our family, especially both sets of our incredible parents, for their tireless support, love, and for helping us create such a truly amazing and memorable day for Connor and me. I feel incredibly lucky to have met Connor so many years ago, and to have spent the past ten years with him by my side has been an extraordinary journey. I’m filled with immense excitement for this next beautiful chapter of our lives together. Here’s to the next ten years, and many more, filled with adventure, love, and happiness!

Our Incredible Wedding Vendors:

We couldn’t have pulled off our dream wedding without the dedication and talent of these amazing professionals. Their hard work made our day truly special:

• Ceremony & Reception Venue: Oxon Hill Manor
• Catering: Occasions Caterers
• Day-of Planner: Bellwether Events (Janice Carnevale)
• Photographer: Michelle Lindsay Photography
• Wedding Dress: Matthew Christopher (Nordstrom)
• Shoes: Benjamin Adams
• Floral Design: Sidra Forman
• Makeup & Hair: Alison Harper & Co.
• Wedding Cake: Wildflour Fine Baking Co.
• Invitations, Menus, + Place Cards: Minted
• DJ: MyDeejay
• Lace Burlap Table Runner: Etsy (Ranchesque)