Kathy & Alex

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we have some amazing fall wedding inspiration to share. Kathy & Alex's wedding in Richmond is full of historical charm, rich autumn colors and plenty of partying!! She is so striking wearing HB6285 with elegantly draped shoulders and a simple twist-tie sash. From the character of the venue to the uniquely bold styling, we want to thank Mary Otanez Photography for capturing this special day so eloquently and the rest of the amazing vendors that brought it to life!! Many congratulations to you, Kathy & Alex!! 
          Saja: How did you meet? 

Kathy: Alex and I met at a Halloween party in Richmond, VA in 2012. Halloween is my favorite holiday, and I was so excited to celebrate by going out with a few girlfriends. I was not looking to meet anyone, but Alex impressed me right away when he helped extract me from an awkward conversation with a stranger dressed as Baberaham Lincoln. Alex dressed as a shark eating a surfer and I went as a 1970s roller girl.

We went on our first date on Halloween, a few days after the party where we met. The first place we tried to go to dinner at was closed for a fabulous All Saints costume parade. We were not at all disappointed, and watched the awesome costumes wind their way through the streets before making our way to The Roosevelt restaurant, which is only a few blocks from where we have our home together now. Alex took us to a terrifying movie - Paranormal Activity - and I didn’t have the guts to tell ​ him that I ​hate scary movies. I slept with the lights on throughout my entire house for a week afterwards!
      Saja: How did he propose?

Kathy: It was very important to me that we make a joint decision to get engaged, as equals, discussing and deciding together. After we decided to take that next step in our relationship, we worked with a local jeweler to design rings. We were so excited waiting for the rings to get made, and then when they were ready Alex asked me to take a ride on our vintage tandem bike to a park in our neighborhood. I didn’t know he had snuck a bottle of champagne in his bag! He formally proposed while we sat side by side drinking bubbly at a picnic table, overlooking the city and watching the sun set. We biked to our first date spot afterwards for dinner, to celebrate!
Saja: Where did the wedding take place? 

Kathy: The ceremony and reception took place at The Frontier Project, a building formerly used by East Coast Freight Lines for loading docks and truck repair. The 1940s warehouse retains much of its original character. We loved the history, look, and feel of the space: modern, filled with light, and a touch of an industrial vibe.
            Saja: Is there anything you can point out about your pictures that we might not have noticed?

Kathy: I enjoyed having photos taken in a number of historic spots, like the historical ceremony and reception venue noted above. We got ready and did our first look at Linden Row Inn, a boutique hotel featured on the National Register of Historic Places. The hotel is comprised of seven row houses built in the mid-1800’s, and our room (like all the others) was furnished with antiques from the middle and late 1800’s. Young Edgar Allan Poe first courted his life-long love, Elmira Royster, in the garden where the Linden Row Inn now stands. Over the course of the late19th century, the houses served three different girls’ schools, notably schooling Irene Gibson, the “Gibson Girl”, and Lady Nancy Astor, the first female member of the British Parliament.
      Saja: What was your favorite part of the day?

Kathy: Our epic dance party! There is no better feeling than being surrounded and supported by your closest loved ones dancing the night away!
    Saja: Which of the photos is your favorite? Why?

Kathy: That’s so hard! My favorite candid shot is of us on the dance floor, dancing to Shout. Alex is on his back like a beetle and I am dancing slightly above him, laughing. I love this picture because we are joyfully, totally letting loose. Our friends smiling in the background remind me of how much love surrounded us that day. My favorite formal shot of my wedding dress was taken in our room at the Linden Row Inn. I love the simple glamour of the dress against the antique red couch, next to my amazing bouquet. I felt so comfortable in the dress, which I think comes through in the photo, and it felt so flattering I felt beautiful all day long.
  

Vendors:

Photographer: Mary Otanez Photography
Wedding Planner: Glint Events
Florist: The Proper Petal
Hair & Makeup Artist: Bombshell Bridal
Cake Designer: Pearls Bake Shoppe
Caterer: Butler’s Unique Catering
Bridesmaid Dresses: J Crew
Groom/Groomsmen Attire: The Black Tux
Invitations/ceremony and reception papers: Sue Corral Ink
Venue: The Frontier Project
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals of Virginia  and Paisley and Jade
Getting ready and first look location/Accommodations​: Linden Row Inn