Alexandria and Kevin live in McLean, Virginia, with their beloved samoyed named Morty. They met seven years ago during Alexandria’s final year at Penn State University at a company dinner for former interns. Their love story took off at a Washington Nationals game, leading to their first date at Duke’s Grocery in D.C.
After six years of adventures, Kevin proposed during a hike in the Shenandoah mountains with a 360-degree scenic view. “Secretly, I was waiting for a moment where no other hikers were passing by and we could have a moment of privacy for the proposal. It took almost 45 minutes for that to happen!” Kevin recalls.
Location: Manakin-Sabot, Virginia, USA
Style: Modern Bridgerton, garden party
Time of planning: 1,5 years
Number of guests: 100
Setting: Estate
Season: Summer
“We hope to start a family together in the future. We love to travel and hope to have more adventures, wherever they may take us, with our future family and dog, Morty.”
The Venue
Dover Hall, a luxury European-inspired estate, served as the perfect backdrop for their Bridgerton-themed garden party wedding. The couple dedicated 1.5 years to planning their big day, starting right after their engagement.
Alexandria, who has a deep appreciation for 16th-century English history, felt as though she was living in a fairytale, while Kevin admired the splendor of the groomsmen suite at Dover Hall. The venue’s historical charm and enchanting atmosphere made them feel like royalty.
“Our vision was to create a whimsical, colorful, and fun experience for our guests. We wanted our wedding to evoke the grandeur and elegance of a Bridgerton ball."
Bridal Morning
On the wedding day Alex wore the Gelsomina gown by Hera Couture, a dress that made her feel both powerful and romantic. The gown’s unique design, featuring floral leaves, seamlessly combined modern elegance with a touch of nature.
Complementing her dress, Alexandria wore the Babylon veil, also from Hera Couture. She accessorized with Chan Luu White Keshi Pearl Earrings for the ceremony and David Yurman Pearl and Pavé Drop Earrings for the reception. Her perfume, Prada Infusion de Rose, added a subtle, romantic scent throughout the day. The aquamarine pendant on pearls, borrowed from her mother, added a sentimental touch to her ensemble. Her bridal bouquet, a carefully crafted mix of organic and romantic flowers, perfectly complimented her look.
“I have an obsession with shoes. I channeled Carrie Bradshaw and had four shoe changes on my wedding day!”
The bridesmaids wore elegant dresses in soft pastel shades, enhancing the whimsical garden party theme. They carried bouquets of white roses, matching the bride’s bouquet and the overall floral theme.
Groom's Fashion
Kevin spent the morning in a stylish suite of the estate with his groomsmen, playing pool, laughing, and getting ready for the day. He looked stylish in a classic black tuxedo from BlackTie, featuring the Vermont black tuxedo Jacket and Washington black pants. His look was completed with Charles Tyrwitt Mother of Pearl tuxedo studs and matching cuff links, and a Nordstrom satin bow tie. His light blue polka dot socks added a playful element to his classic ensemble.
First Look
The couple’s first look took place in the charming library of Dover Hall. They shared an intimate moment, exchanging heartfelt vows surrounded by the rich woodwork and vintage charm of the library. The atmosphere was filled with the warmth of the chandeliers and the timeless elegance of the room, making this moment even more special for the couple.
“While reading our vows in the library, the groom room’s speakers were connected to the library’s speaker system. So the whole time Alex was reading her vows to me, we heard Three Doors Down “Kryptonite” playing. How romantic!”
“The first look and private vows were some of our favorite moments. It was a special, intimate moment just for us before the ceremony.”
Ceremony
The ceremony at the estate’s gardens featured traditional all-white romantic roses, while the cocktail hour and reception dazzled with dusty blues, sage greens, baby pinks, and pale yellows. Gold accents added a touch of sophistication to the whimsical garden party theme.
The ceremony beautifully knotted Kevin’s Jewish faith and Alexandria’s Chinese heritage. They incorporated a traditional Chinese tea ceremony, symbolizing respect and unity between their families. The tea ceremony space featured red accents representing happiness, fertility, good luck, success, and good fortune. A family heirloom tea set added a special touch to this heartfelt moment.
“What we loved about this was being able to share our families' religion, cultures, and traditions with our wedding guests in our own way.”
The signing of the Ketubah, a Jewish marriage contract, was another significant part of their ceremony. Chosen by Kevin’s mother, the Ketubah featured a gold, pale yellow, and green Lily of the Valley flower design. “We love surprises, so we didn’t know what it would look like until the ceremony. It’s very special to us, and we want to hang it up in our future house,” shared the bride. As a tradition, both Alexandria and Kevin broke a glass at the end of the ceremony, symbolizing their equal partnership.
“Traditionally, the groom is the only one who gets to break the glass at the end of a Jewish wedding ceremony. We thought it was only right that the bride also gets to do it - so that's what we did!”
Cocktail Hour
The cocktail hour took place outside of the estate. Guests enjoyed two signature cocktails named after the couple’s beloved dog, Morty. The ‘Espresso Mort-ini’ and ‘Morty’s Hair,’ a Lavender French 75 with white cotton candy, were creative and fun, reflecting the couple’s personalities.
“We worked with Blue Harbor Paperie to create our custom wedding crest. We put it on the fans, seating chart, the cocktail hour refreshment bar, wedding programs, custom matchbooks, and even photobooth photos. It added a nice personalized touch to the day.”
The Moment Alone
After the cocktail hour, Alex and Kevin took a moment alone to soak in the beautiful scenery and the significance of their day. The picturesque gardens and historical charm of Dover Hall provided a perfect backdrop for their quiet moment together.
“The venue made us feel like we were living in a fairytale for one day.”
Decor & Setting
The reception was a vibrant celebration held in estate’s ballroom. The decor continued the Bridgerton-inspired garden party theme, with colorful florals and whimsical details. The mantle and head table were adorned with flowers, creating the illusion of a wild, enchanting garden. White drapes replaced the original burgundy curtains, creating a light and airy atmosphere.
“Kevin and his family are obsessed with golf! I wanted to incorporate the golf theme in a fun way with our seating chart,” explained the bride. Custom golf balls labeled with their wedding crest and seating cards hanging from golf tees embedded in green moss, adding a playful and personal touch to the elegant setting. “We put a lot of thought into all the small and large details. Every detail was carefully thought through with our wedding planner Kerri and all our amazing and talented vendors,” shared Alex.
Reception
The reception was held in Dover Hall’s ballroom. It started with a couple’s first dance – a magical moment, with the room filled with the joy and love of their guests.
“We wanted our guests to feel like they were at a Bridgerton ball. The concept for florals at the mantle and our head table was ‘sitting in a garden’ - we wanted to emulate something wild, whimsical, and organic.”
Cake Cutting & Party
The evening continued with heartfelt toasts, lively dancing, and joyous celebrations. The floral crowning ceremony for their mothers added a heartfelt touch, honoring them as the last children to get married.
Alex changed into an A.L.C. Elsie White Strapless Embellished mini dress, allowing her to dance and celebrate with ease.
The couple had a private cake cutting in Dover Hall’s green formal dining room before joining guests for the celebration. The cake, crafted by Sweet Fix, was a white Marie Antoinette style with red bows and cherries. The top of the cake humorously declared, “It is our wedding,” a nod to the couple’s love for “The Office.”
"We loved doing this because we had another sweet moment for just the two of us, and were able to capture fun flash photography in a different setting."
“We had a few opportunities to sit back and take in the scenery at the reception, enjoying the site of all of our friends and family in one place. You can’t beat that feeling of happiness.”
Advice from the couple:
• Keep the photos during cocktail hour on the shorter side so you have a chance to mingle and enjoy that portion of the evening!
VENUE & CATERING Dover Hall | PLANNER & DESIGN Kerri Johnson from Elle Loren & Co. | PHOTOGRAPHER Kyla Jeanette | FLORALS The Flower Guy Bron | HAIR Emily Artistry | MAKEUP Shirin Ratner | DRESS Garnish Boutique, Hera Couture | ACCESSORIES Chan Luu, David Yurman | SHOES Aquazzura, Jimmy Choo, Mach & Mach | CAKE Sweet Fix | STATIONERY Willow and Bloom Design Co. | DJ & ENTERTAINMENT The Masters of the Ceremony | OFFICIANT Rabbi Patrick | RENTALS & DECOR BBJ La Tavola, Emerson James Rental, Paisley & Jade, Wedding Lighting Co. | PHOTOBOOTH MMG Photobooth | TRANSPORTATION Richmond Limo
