A Magnolia-Themed Backyard Wedding in Alexandria, Virginia

Emerald Pretty

Customized elements on the multi-part invitation suite from The Dandelion Patch included a magnolia print on the envelope liner—the same illustration Erika and Jeff used for their escort card display—and a monogram surrounded by a delicate floral garland sketch; this reappeared on the table numbers and menus at the reception.

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Lovely in Lace

Erika invited her mother and sister-in-law, her maid of honor, and Jeff's mother and sister for a weekend of wedding-dress shopping in New York City. "They surprised me with 'grumpy' and 'happy' Jeff face cut-outs to vote on dresses and we laughed for a weekend straight," says Erika. "A real bonding moment with tons of fun!"

At Kleinfeld, Erika found a fitted, lacy Pnina Tornai gown that garnered instant praise from her group. "I always wanted a full lace, long-sleeved dress," says Erika. "When I tried on the Pnina, it fit like a glove; the oohs and ahhs from the crowd made me feel like the most beautiful woman." She had a custom veil made by the same designer and wore her grandmother's sapphire ring as her "something blue." "She couldn't be there, so it was special to have that heirloom with me," notes Erika.

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Green Party

The deep, rich emerald tones of magnolia leaves inspired the bridesmaids' hunter green gowns from Bella Bridesmaids. Most of the women wore a V-neck style, while the maid of honor wore an off-the-shoulder option for subtle contrast. "I loved the simple, structured look," says Erika, "and the girls looked gorgeous!"

In Black and White

Jeff and his groomsmen wore tuxedos from The Black Tux, with Jeff swapping out a traditional black jacket for a formal—and timeless—white one. "We wanted that classic black-tie look," says Erika.

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Street View

Before meeting their bridal party for portraits, Erika and Jeff shared a private first look. "We did it on a beautiful street in Old Town, Alexandria, a few blocks from the church," says Erika. "It seemed so public when we talked about it, but at the time, only Jeff existed! I was nervous to see him, but I also took so much comfort afterwards knowing that now we were together the rest of the day."

Flowers and Foliage

Amaryllis Floral and Event Design highlighted the floral theme of the wedding in Erika's bouquet with cream-colored roses, locally-sourced magnolia leaves, and tan accents. "It was heavy!" says the bride.

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Father and Daughter

After sharing a heartwarming first look and a ride to the church in the family's vintage Corvette, Erika and her father prepared for their walk down the aisle. "The first look with my dad was very emotional," she says. "We are incredibly close and he's a big softie, but I was still so moved by his emotions that day. He is so happy for Jeff and I—they are practically best friends—but I know it was hard for him to 'give me away.'"

Saying "I Do"

Erika and Jeff chose the historic St. Paul's Episcopal Church for their ceremony location. "They have a welcoming congregation and were fabulous to work with," says Erika. The church's Reverend Oran Warder officiated the ceremony, which included traditional vows along with readings Erika and Jeff requested.

The couple opted to keep their décor understated in an effort to highlight—not overpower—the church's existing design. "We were fairly minimal in the church because it is so beautiful," says Erika. "To dress up the aisle, we used magnolia leaves on the pews—and the altar arrangements included magnolia leaves and greens with white hydrangeas and roses. The sweet flower girls walked with white rose balls and flower crowns, and they were a hit."

A Surprise Song

As the newlyweds walked back up the aisle to Mendelssohn's "Wedding March," Erika's bridesmaids had a surprise waiting: An a cappella group hidden on the above balcony stood up and started singing "All You Need Is Love," in an homage to one of Erika's favorite scenes from Love, Actually. "Evidently at some point years and years ago, I told my girlfriends I would love if that happened at my wedding," says Erika. "It was a shock when the singers popped up and we couldn't believe it! Such an incredible moment!"

Just Married

The duo left the church in Erika's father's vintage Corvette (tagged with a just-married sign and a classic trail of cans!), meeting their friends and family at the cocktail hour. "My dad's mid-life crisis purchase paid off—ha!" says Erika. "The nerves were all gone, we were married! It was just a feeling of pure elation. This solo time was one of the highlights of the day." (Jeff prepared for the drive by wearing wedding-day socks that featured an image of a bride and groom in a red convertible.)

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On the Waterfront

While guests enjoyed the cocktail hour in Erika's parents' backyard, the newlyweds snuck away for a few for portraits on the family's dock—renovated just in time for the festivities. "Jeff and my dad tackled a huge dock remodel the summer before the wedding that was supposed to take 10 days and took about 10 weeks, so we often laughed about getting that done before the wedding," says Erika. Though the dock was flooded on their wedding day, "We made it work!" she says.

Household Name

Along with two signature drinks named for their pets—a bourbon and fig old fashioned named after their pug, Ernie, and a sparkling rosé christened Minks, after their cat—Erika and Jeff also stocked their bar with a favorite beer from Threes Brewery they brought in from New York City. "We included Vliet Pilsner that Jeff and I found one late night in Brooklyn at one of our favorite pizza spots," says Erika. "What are the chances with that last name?"

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Oyster Service

As a nod to the coastal locale, oysters on the half-shell were paraded around the cocktail hour.

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Leafy Greens

An oversized frame covered with a draped floral installation held white escort cards hung on a bold backdrop—its pattern matched the print on the invitation's envelope liner. "As guests removed their cards, which tied with a velvet ribbon, the pattern was revealed, and was later used as a photo booth backdrop," explains Erika.

An Elegant Entrance

Guests stepped up and into a wood-floor tent through a double entry point, marked with hanging garlands of dark green foliage and ivory flowers.

Up in the Air

"The elegance and simplicity of the magnolia was the jumping off point of the design," says Erika of the couple's reception tent, which was strung with ornate chandeliers.

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Magnolias Everywhere

Inside, the couple alternated long and round tables covered with green velvet or green damask cloths. Tall arrangements in crystal vases held magnolia leaves and roses. "We focused on textures like velvet and linen and shades of emerald green, but kept things modern and fresh with white blooms, whitewashed chairs, and a black-and-white dance floor," shares Erika.

Gold-rimmed chargers and crystal coordinated with golden flatware and candleholders. Votives in crystal holders glimmered after sunset as the couple's friends and family celebrated by the water after dark.

Gold and Greens

Long tables held low, garland-style centerpieces comprised of dahlias, hydrangeas, and roses.

Later in the evening, Occasions Catering provided an epic meal, with a first course of butternut squash soup topped with salted sage popcorn; a Roquefort, pear, and walnut salad; an entrée of filet Oscar ("I have always loved filet Oscar and dreamed of serving it at my wedding!" says Erika); and a dessert course of Fleur de Sel caramels and warm cookies and milk.

Sweet Memories

The couple kept their two-tier carrot cake simple, decorating it with delicate piping around the bottom of each tier. "The cake was not a big priority for me, honestly," says Erika. "So we had a simple cake and adorned it with a sweet antique topper that was my great-great aunt's from her wedding in 1920."

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Love in the Air

76 Degrees West set the mood for the couple's first dance, to "L-O-V-E" by Nat King Cole. "Honestly, I've always loved it from The Parent Trap!" says Erika. "It's sweet and has that old-school swing vibe that I thought the band would do so well. It was perfect for us and our short, choreographed number we had prepared."

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Taco Time

Just before the party ended, Erika and Jeff treated their guests to one of their favorite guilty pleasures: Taco Bell, served out of a food cart. "We weren't sure if people would share our love," says Erika, but "it flew off the shelves! Jeff and I barely got tacos ourselves, but we loved ending this classy affair with a little greasy goodness."

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Light the Night

One of the couple's fondest wedding memories is dancing under the stars during a fireworks display they watched from the dock. "With the wedding being in my parents' backyard, we were so lucky to be able to launch off our fireworks. It was truly an unreal ending to the evening," says Erika. "We had friends in neighborhoods all over Mt. Vernon that said they saw them that night—they were huge!"

Sources

Photography, Lisa Ziesing for Abby Jiu Photography
Ceremony Venue, St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Event Planning and Design, Christie Yerks of Grit & Grace
Catering and Cake, Occasions Caterers
Flowers, Amaryllis Floral and Event Design
Videography, Stan Pe Films
Officiant, Reverend Oran Warder, St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Stationery, The Dandelion Patch
Music, 76 Degrees West
Rentals and Lighting, Capital Party Rentals
Bride's Gown, Pnina Tornai
Bride's Accessories, Pninia Tornai veil; Kleinfeld Bridal jewelry; Christian Louboutin shoes
Hair, Remona Soleimani
Makeup, Claudine Fay
Bridesmaids' Dresses, Bella Bridesmaids Dessy Collection
Groom's and Groomsmen's Attire, The Black Tux
Transportation, Alexandria Transit Company; Limousines Inc.
Cigar Roller, Pucho Cigars
Rings, King's Jewelry
Valet, MJ Valet