I love photographing wedding details, and the details for spring Loudoun County wedding perfectly represented two families. Tables were set with china from Scott’s mother’s collection, Erica’s collection and some lent by a friend. The silver belonged to Erica’s great-grandmother; the pattern “First Love” was gifted on her 50th anniversary in 1946. Guests at the wedding recognized china and silver patterns from their own mother’s and grandmother’s tables.

While the table settings combined the history of both families, other reception touches referenced Scott’s childhood on a farm in Wisconsin. His family farm produced milk used to make the cheese served during cocktail hour. The couple gifted bottles of maple syrup made by Scott’s brother as wedding favors and served “Farm Use” red wine from Pearmund Cellars in Broad Run, Virginia. As a final touch, Erica’s presented Scott with a sign for the future “Ericott Farm (established 2018)” a reference to the farm they hope to someday own.

Personalized wedding details

Erica carried peonies cut from her own garden, which had been transplanted from her aunt’s garden years prior. Famous Dave’s, where two of Erica’s children work when they’re home from college, did the catering. Erica’s daughter, one of her sons and his fiancée made the signs for different event spaces around the venue. High school friends of Erica’s daughter provided music during the ceremony.

Since she is an educator, Erica and Scott hosted their reception in the auditorium of Waterford Old School, a restored schoolhouse that now serves as a truly beautiful wedding venue. Venue fees go to support the Waterford Foundation. We did their First Look in Second Street School, part of the Waterford Foundation’s Living History program that teaches Loudoun County schoolchildren about what life was like for African-American children in the 19th century.

blondeexplorer