Real Wedding: Addie & Nasser | Part One
April 19, 2019 | Richmond, Virginia
Addie and Nasser's Spring wedding in Virginia was one we will never forget. From our first conversation with Addie, we knew this was one we couldn't miss out on. During our first day of meetings, Addie explained to us that she wanted a sweet intimate ceremony and then a big "ridiculous" (her favorite word to describe this) party for all of their friends and family. We'll be sharing all about the most outrageous thematic reception you've ever seen on next week's blog post so keep an eye out for that!
The intimate ceremony took place in the Bride's childhood home backyard with 50 close family and friends. The spot they got married was surrounded by hundreds of the most gorgeous spring colored tulips and poppies. Oh how I wish you could see it in person! We worked with the sweetest garden club ladies coordinating our blooms with the natural landscape they were working with and planting. It was the most magical setting!
About 36 hours before the ceremony was set to start, we got word that there was the potential for tornados on the day of the wedding in our area. We watched the weather so closely for the next day and a half, refreshing constantly. The night before the wedding day, a call had to be made. Friends and family were called and told to arrive a little earlier than originally planned for some pre-ceremony cocktails and then we let them know that we would play it by ear and if there was a break in the weather, we would quickly set up outside and have their ceremony. We decided to set up two ceremony options, Plan A was in the garden and Plan B was setup in the foyer/sitting room of their home. As luck would have it, there was a break in the rain JUST long enough for their sweet ceremony and a few photos outside with their bridal party and family. They then moved into a gorgeous clear top tent for a seated dinner and toasts. (Fun Fact - Addie and Nasser did not want a traditional wedding cake. Addie had her heart set on a Great American Cookies Cookie Cake). After the dinner, we planned an after party at the cutest (and pink!) downtown Richmond hotel, Quirk.
Here are a few words from the bride and how she approached her wedding day. Intentional and Purposeful are two very important words to us when talking about weddings and we felt Addie and Nasser did just that. Something that was truly them.
From Addie: We vetoed any tradition we didn’t like – the procession of bridesmaids and groomsmen, all those first dances, the bouquet toss, the cutting of the cake. We didn’t even have a wedding cake. We wanted our favorite dessert – a cookie cake. We didn’t want this wedding to be about what you “should do,” we focused on what we “could do,” and Crystal and Allie never vetoed any wild idea we had. Spend a million back-breaking hours hanging roses from the ceiling? “Yeah, we can do that.” Find a camel to attend the party? “No problem.”
Scroll through the photos below of Addie and Nasser's intimate Friday ceremony and dinner.

I remember waking up the morning of my wedding and going on a walk with my mom. I told her that I didn’t understand why people looked forward to their actual wedding day. To me, the fun had been in the planning, in talking camels and flower arrangements with Crystal, Allie and my mom, but the thought of actually being the center of attention all day terrified me.
Later that night, when Nasser and I got in bed and talked about the day, we both said that it was without a doubt the best day of our lives.
That is until the next day when we had the most outrageous party. I still don’t even know which day was better. They were both so different and filled with more joy than I thought possible.

















Crystal and Allie were like these little fairy godmothers that turned every wish into a reality and when I look at all of our photos I become utterly overwhelmed with joy. The thing that stands out the most to me when I look back at our wedding photos is the flowers. Of course, I’m biased but I have never in my life seen prettier designs. My bouquet! The archway! The ceiling! The table designs! I honestly was overwhelmed with the pure beauty of every design.












The highlight of the day, besides you know marrying the man I love, was how perfect our dog Olive was. She followed me around all morning while I was getting ready and kept me calm. We had her walk down the aisle with me and my dad and she sat with my parents while we said our vows. Afterwards, for photos, she jumped right on my lap and my parents’ dogs swarmed me with love.








Planning, Design and Florals: Southern Posies
Photography: Nancy Ray Photography
Cinema: Paperboys Cinematography
Beauty: Lou Stevens
Bride's Attire: Tiffany's Bridal
Catering: Commonwealth Club
Groom and Groomsmen attire: Mr. Burch Formalwear
Officiant: Janie O'Connor
Ceremony Musicians: Friends of the Bride, Drew and Maggie
Tent and Flooring: Skyline Tent Company
Lighting, Drapery and Sound: The AV Company
Specialty Rentals: Paisley & Jade
Specialty Rentals: White Glove Rentals
Linens: La Tavola, BBJ Linen and Nuage Designs
Additional Hard Good Rentals: Festive Fare
Stationery: Ink Sugar Co.
Transportation: James River Transportation and TNT Limousine
Valet Service: Day-Starr Valet
After-Party Venue: Quirk Hotel