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Weddings

July 10, 2023

A Modern Romantic Wedding in Charles City, VA

Bride and groom kiss, brides veil drifting dreamily in the wind.

Stephanie and John said “I do” in a modern romantic wedding celebration at Upper Shirley Vineyards on a sunny day in late May.

The Love Story

Bride and groom dance in the vineyard during their romantic wedding in Charles City, VA

How The Couple Met

Stephanie, a family medicine physician, and John, currently a urology resident, met when they were scribing for the same Emergency Room. The pair left their positions as scribes to attend separate medical schools, but ultimately rekindled their relationship during their residency training in 2019.

The couple walks together in front of upper Shirley vineyards, gazing lovingly at one another during their modern romantic wedding in Charles City, VA

The Proposal

John popped the question during a surprise proposal while the couple was vacationing in Costa Rica. John feared the surprise would be completely ruined after a rocky start to the trip, including a missed flight. Despite travel complications, all went well. “I arranged with the hotel to have us walking on the beach,” says John, “and one of the photographers from the hotel captured the moment.”

Bride and groom embrace in the vineyard during their romantic wedding ceremony in Charles City, VA

Together is Their Favorite Place to Be

The couple shares a love of traveling – specifically visiting the Jersey Shore and skiing at John’s Family Bed & Breakfast in Vermont. They enjoy walking their dog, Max, and making TikTok videos together.

Modern Romantic Wedding Details

John and Stephanie's names and wedding date are written in script on a painted white horse statue in front of Upper Shirley

A Modern Romantic Vineyard Venue in Charles City, VA

When I think of Upper Shirley Vineyards in Charles City, VA – southern romance is generally one of the first thoughts that pops into my mind (for more southern romantic wedding inspiration, check out Kelly & Mitchell’s Classic Southern Wedding in Richmond, VA).

The comforting crunch of the gravel drive beneath my tires greets me, ushering me through a sweeping green lawn spread out around a barn-esque structure boasting a veranda that brings to mind summer days sipping fresh lemonade (or in this case a glass of award-winning Blanc des Blancs sparkling wine) in rocking chairs. Upon closer inspection, a painted white horse bearing the couple’s names and wedding date draws guests intention.

The modern romantic wedding ceremony took place on the lawn at Upper Shirley, overlooking the James River. A large hoop adorned with florals served as the alter.

If the front facing prospect of Upper Shirley Vineyards is impressive, the back is even more so – boasting peaceful perches and more lush lawn ambling down to the James River – a spectacular site for wedding ceremonies if ever there was one.

A Modern Romantic Wedding Color Palette

Emerald cut engagement ring and two white gold wedding bands rest atop lush creamy white and mauve blooms.

In many ways, this scenic riverside estate is an empty canvas waiting to be painted; it lends itself to a variety of wedding themes. So when Stephanie and John described a modern romantic wedding full of emerald green and blush tones, I knew it would be lovely.

Flat lay detail shot of flowers, petals, wine corks, and paper goods.

flat lay detail shot - roses, hellebores, flower petals and vow booklets

Detail shot - gold, pearl and crystal earrings in blush velvet box, resting on top of a white rose.

Beautiful Blooms for a Modern Romantic Wedding

The sweeping lawns and peaceful river views were accentuated by lush greenery and traditionally romantic roses. Stephanie and John incorporated a circular gold arch to add a contemporary element to their modern romantic wedding ceremony.

Circle arch adorned with assymetrical greenery and blooms, served as the alter on Upper Shirley's Lawn overlooking the James River during a modern romantic wedding reception in Charles City, VA

Stephanie’s bouquet was a stunning composition comprised of creamy white roses, ruffled white ranunculus, and elegant peonies. The floral designer for this event, Weddings by Vogue, brought in a pop of color via amnesia roses, and a touch of modernism to the otherwise traditional structure of the bouquets via accents like closed-bud lisianthus and dainty hellebores.

close up of modern romantic wedding bouquets in shades of blush, mauve, and white.

Modern Romantic Wedding Centerpieces - Greenery with mauve and blush blooms in a gold compote vase.

Getting Ready

The joy surrounding Stephanie and John on their wedding day was palpable. It’s abundantly clear that his couple is loved and adored.

Stephanie's wedding dress and veil, hanging on a gold hanger next to a chair holding the bridal bouquet and wedding accessories.

A Modern Romantic Wedding Dress

Stephanie, no doubt, drew inspiration for her modern romantic color palette from the blush liner of her Marina Liana wedding gown, which struck the perfect balance between modern and romance by incorporating elements from each category. Traditionally romantic elements included allover lace and covered button back detail, while modern elements included a plunging neckline and simple silhouette.

Stephanie's mother helps button her dress.

Bride, Stephanie, puts on earrings before her modern romantic wedding ceremony in Charles City, VA

The Girls

The bridal party, in green floral pajamas and pink slippers, cheers to Stephanie while getting ready for a modern romantic wedding reception in Charles City, VA

Stephanie’s bridal party prepped for the big day in emerald green floral pajamas and fuzzy blush slippers before donning floor length emerald gowns by Kennedy Blue. Of course the ladies had to raise a toast to Stephanie and John with some award winning wine, courtesy of Upper Shirley Vineyards.

The bride poses for a photo with her bouquet on the lawn overlooking the James River at Upper Shirley in Charles City, VA

Bridal party, dressed in long emerald green dresses, surround the bride while holding bouquets on the lawn overlooking the James River at Upper Shirley.

The Guys

John and his groomsmen stand on the green lawn in front of the James River at Upper Shirley in Charles City, VA.

The groom and groomsmen looked so dapper in navy suits and emerald ties.

John adjusts his jacket on lawn overlooking James River at Upper Shirley in Charles City, VA.

The groom, John, stands in a blue suit front of the river at Upper Shirley.

A Modern Romantic Wedding Tradition: The First Look

Stephanie taps John's shoulder during their first look.

The couple chose to embrace the first look: a modern romantic wedding tradition that allows the couple some one on one time together before saying “I do” while simultaneously freeing up time after their ceremony for portraits with their friends and family.

John gazes at his bride, who twirls to show off her dress during the first look.

The Ceremony

Stephanie and John exchanged vows on the sweeping lawn overlooking the James River. The greenery on their circle arbor rustled in the late spring breeze as a string quartet serenaded wedding guests.

four piece string band plays music during John and Stephanie's modern romantic wedding ceremony

John stands in front of a circle arbor adorned with flowers, smiling while watching his bride walk toward him during romantic wedding ceremony in Charles City, VA

Bride's father walks her down the aisle at upper Shirley.

Even though John had already seen Stephanie during their first look, he couldn’t stop himself from smiling as she walked down the aisle.

Wedding guests, groomsmen, and Stephanie laugh as John reads his wedding vows during modern romantic wedding ceremony.

After exchanging rings, Stephanie and John sealed their vows with a kiss.

The bride and groom share their first kiss as husband and wife during modern romantic wedding ceremony at Upper Shirley in Charles City, VA

The couple’s recession back down the aisle was equally as exciting as the processional – John dipped his beautiful wife for a passionate kiss before heading off to take portraits during cocktail hour.

The groom dips the bride and steals a kiss halfway down the aisle during the recessional at their modern romantic wedding ceremony in Charles City, VA.

Cocktail Hour

Upper Shirley’s on-theme horse trailer bar, combined with their award winning wine selection and scrumptious passed hors d’oeuvres served by the in-house catering team, made for a spectacular cocktail hour.

White wine in stemless glassware on large wood tray served during cocktail hour.

A waiter passes scrumptious amuse bouche appetizers during cocktail hour during modern romantic wedding cocktail hour in Charles City, VA

Portraits

Wedding party walks together on the open green overlooking the James River at Upper Shirley.

Bride and groom embrace and smile, forehead to forehead, in front of Upper Shirley in Charles City, VA.

Stephanie and John embrace during portraits.

The wedding party stares happily at the newlyweds immediately following modern romantic wedding ceremony at Upper Shirley.

Bride and groom, forehead to forehead, in front of Upper Shirley.

Bridal veil sweeps across the bride and groom as they embrace.

A Modern Romantic Wedding Reception

A modern romantic sign - wood with script reading "The Dreviks est. 2023" welcomed guests to the modern romantic wedding reception.

Immediately following cocktail hour, guests meandered into the ballroom at upper Shirley to partake in an elegant plated dinner reception. Guests were greeted by a map-themed seating chart that read “Find Your Destination,” and were seated at tables laden with blush tablecloths, green napkins, and gold accents.