This Great Gatsby inspired Virginia winery wedding is effortlessly glam

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Glitzy headpiece jewelry, glitter dipped feathers, ornate gold candelabras and tall pillar candlesticks – this Virginia bride’s Great Gatsby inspired wedding seemed to go off without a hitch!

With a color palette of blush and gold, Jennifer & Albie’s glitzy wedding scheme fit naturally into the effortlessly gorgeous winery setting. Her bride tribe dressed in mix and match sparkling pink and gold dresses, as though for a Gatsby lawn party. Jennifer’s look was flawless, a simple but glam Watters gown and sparkling, embellished Badgley Mishka heels.

The stationery too set the scene for the wedding – glittering gold script, custom designed with menus and table numbers to match. The suite was elegantly finished with individual wax seals (after all Gatsby would, right?)

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Our Love Story

Albie and I have known “of” each other for nearly 15 years. His youngest sister Hilary is one of my very best friends. However, we didn’t truly get to “know” each other until I moved to San Diego 3 years ago. What began as a fun-filled friendship would soon flourish into an inseparable love.

It didn’t take long for either of us to recognize we were a lifelong team but we never “over-discussed” getting married – we just knew it would happen.   This certainly kept me on my toes! There were times when I felt as though the question would be coming soon and other times when I didn’t over think the ask.

Albie’s Birthday is June 7th and I made sure to celebrate the entire month for him. With my Birthday in July, Albie set out to do the same for me. On the first day, I received flowers at my office. The first weekend he gave me a clutch and a wireless speaker and took me to a John Butler Trio Concert. On my actual birthday, he gave us dance lessons.

On the last day of the month, I found myself convinced I was going to have surprise visitors to cap off my birthday month. While sitting on our balcony waiting for these surprise visitors Albie turned and looked at me — he told me he had been lying and he would never again lie to me for the rest of our lives. He got down on one knee and asked me to be his teammate forever.

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Relaxed Virginia Winery Wedding | Alison Leigh Photography 20

The Dress & Attire

I found my Watters dress in a small San Diego boutique called The Dress Theory. I wore the Lizzie Veil – a cathedral length, Chantilly lace custom-made veil by Katie May of Los Angeles. My shoes were by Badgley Mischka, featuring jewels in the back. I wore teardrop earrings by Nina and a custom teardrop backdrop necklace made by Ivianna.

I let my girls pick whatever dress they wanted just as long as it was still under the gold, blush, and taupe color pallet. My bridal party of eleven picked dresses from Free People, Joanna August, Aidan Mattox, Unique Vintage, Adrianna Papell, Mod Cloth, Pisarro Nights, and Nouvelle Amsale.

Albie who is more of a diva then myself had one more groomsman. They wore “Black” by Vera Wang from Jos. A. Bank.

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Relaxed Virginia Winery Wedding | Alison Leigh Photography 30

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Special Moments

We were blessed to be married by Albie’s father, The Honorable Albert H. Masland. We held a traditional ceremony with traditional vows, however, we both chose to speak our own words after the formal vows.

With the best DJ in the Northern VA area, Albie and I danced to “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Hailey Reinhart. Our father-daughter dance was “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond, Albie and his mom dance to “Forever Young” by Norah Jones and my garter toss was to “867-5309/Jenny” by Tommy Tutone.

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Relaxed Virginia Winery Wedding | Alison Leigh Photography 16

The Details

I found my wedding inspiration from a Great Gatsby theme, filled with glitzy headpiece jewelry, glitter dipped feathers, ornate gold candelabras and tall pillar candlesticks. I chose a color palette of blush and gold tones sprinkled with glitter to complete my vision for an elegant, romantic wedding.

Our wedding invitations were custom-made on matte ivory paper and paired with a matte blush pink and shimmery champagne backing with blush pink envelopes. The envelopes were sealed with a custom-made wax seal in champagne gold. We wanted our guests to catch a glimpse of the night we were planning.

In keeping with the 1920’s theme, we served a Cigar Bar with signature cocktails: a Blackberry Smash and Moscow Mules. Bulleit Bourbon was served in honor of our dear friend and fallen hero, S01(SEAL) Linkon Bashew.

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The Photography

Our photographers, Alison Mohn from Alison Leigh Photography, and Nick Uylingco, came to us recommended by one of the bridesmaids. They are both lifestyle wedding photographers and they specialize in capturing real moments in life. Our formal pictures took place outside in the vineyards while our guests were treated to a trio string ensemble, specialty signature drinks and passed Hors D’Oeuvres.

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Relaxed Virginia Winery Wedding | Alison Leigh Photography 17

The Honeymoon

Beautiful beaches. Beautiful people. Beautiful adventure. Bali is incredible. We hung out with monkeys in Ubud, wandered the streets of Seminyak, watched the sunset from the cliffs of Ulawatu and took an amazing side trip to the wild island of Gili Trawangan where rules and motorized vehicles do not exist.