I can’t believe that Matt and I got married over a week ago! I’m starting to get photos back from our official photographers and will be sharing recaps throughout the week of each section of the big day, but before I do that, I thought I should first talk about the day before!
Last Friday, October 12th, the day before our wedding, I started my day with my beautiful bridesmaids. :)
My mom treated the five of us to manicures and pedicures to get ready for the big day. It was such a relaxing way to spend the morning! We went to Hollywood Nails in Ballston, VA. It was great – very sweet staff and very reasonably priced, too! I’ve only had a couple pedicures before so I don’t have a ton of comparison but this one was pretty awesome. They did all sorts of stuff includes leg massages and scrubs, a wax coating, and of course some lovely nail polish. :)
They had us dip our hands and feet into a wax and then peeled it off – apparently it made the skin nice and soft? It also made whatever it coated look like a corpse until they took it off. Hot.
After our hands and feet were all pretty, we hit up Sweetgreen for lunch. They have an AWESOME October themed salad on the menu right now – kale, apples, white cheddar cheese, etc. I didn’t get it but some of the other girls did and I was jealous! Must go back for it before the month is over…
After lunch, it was time to pack up and hightail it out to our wedding venue, Rosemont Manor in Berryville, VA! In addition to having the wedding ceremony and reception there, we also had our rehearsal dinner and a meet & greet there on Friday night. The main manor house was large enough for our immediate family and the bridal party to all stay there which was great – it made it very easy that we didn’t have to go anywhere the whole weekend. There were also some cottages on the property where a group of the groomsmen and their dates stayed plus some other close family and friends.
Shortly after we arrived and got changed, we had the ceremony rehearsal!
My matron of honor Jenny’s mom threw together this fun bouquet for me using a bunch of ribbons from my bridal shower. So cute!
After the rehearsal, it was time for dinner! Matt’s parents did an absolutely beautiful job with the rehearsal dinner. We were originally going to have it outside on the beautiful front portico at the manor, but it was a little chilly so they made a game time decision to move it inside. Good call!
Loved the table numbers. :)
But the star of the night was these gorgeous table settings.
Matt’s parents put these together by hand and literally brought all the separate items down with them from Pittsburgh. I was so impressed with their creativity. In the baskets were fresh herbs, flowers, vegetables, and even bread and wine! We loved the monogrammed napkins, too. :)
I so wish that I had taken some pictures of the food at dinner – I was so distracted with chatting that I completely forgot! Blogger fail. The food was a BBQ/picnic theme – we had kebobs of meat and vegetables, pulled pork on whole wheat buns, baked beans, and more. Plus apple pie with ice cream for dessert. :) Both our wedding reception and the rehearsal dinner were catered by Celebrations Catering. They were great – highly recommend! More on them in the reception post.
Matt and I felt very loved surrounded by so many family members and close friends. We gave our groomsmen and bridesmaid gifts out and Matt’s family and some of our friends gave lovely speeches. We were so touched.
After dinner was over, Matt’s parents hosted a meet and greet at the manor for some of our close friends that we knew would already be around on Friday night for the wedding festivities. The meet and greet featured local Virginia wine and Pittsburgh beer!
A local Virginia wine expert was there offering tastings – awesome!
We had a blast – great turnout! It was really nice to get a chance to spend some extra time with friends and family since we knew our actual wedding day and reception would be so crazy.
The party ended around 10:30, everyone left by 11, and I retired to my room to attempt to get some sleep before the big day. :)
Stay tuned for more!
I had a great time at the post-rehearsal reception (that raspberry merlot — OMG)! Also, evidently my cleave was out to PLAY hahahahaha. <3
Loved itttt ;)
Beautiful pictures, Anne! I couldn’t stop smiling as I was reading your post; it looks like a truly beautiful rehearsal dinner. :) The meet-and-greet was a great idea, too. I’ll have to keep that in mind for wayyy down the road. ;)
Hollywood nails is my go-to, good call :)
It was a recommendation from Bitting :)
Great post! It was really a fun day! The centerpieces were definitely amazing!! :)
Looks like such a wonderful wedding. You seem like such a nice and down to earth person which is why things probably fell into place so smoothly and if they didn’t it didn’t bother you!
Very happy and excited for you!
Aw thanks! There were definitely some things on the main day that our planner forgot to do but my family and I were like, whatever. No point in stressing – we just wanted to enjoy the day!
The photos look great and you were a glowing bride-to-be :)
Meet and Greet after Rehearsal Dinner… totally adding that to my list, that is SUCH a GREAT IDEA! Love all your pics so far, you look so happy!
Anne, you looked great. I love those centerpiece ideas!!!
Your in-laws did a great job on the centerpieces! We are doing a meet and greet the night before the wedding too since 85% of our guest are coming from out of town. Your post is making me more excited.
You will love it! It was so awesome to get to see people more than just in the whirlwind that’s the big day :)
Gorgeous photos! You’re just beaming with happiness! I can’t wait to see more!!
Everything was so beautiful! I love wedding recaps :).
Anne, Matt’s parents did a phenomenal job! The centerpieces are just beautiful and I loved the combination of the herbs and flowers, along with the wine and candle! I don’t know if entertaining like this is a just a hobby or a business for them but they truly have a gift!I still remember the pics you’ve shared in the past from Thanksgiving – great food and presentation!!
Just a hobby – his mom is a genius with table settings/centerpieces and his dad set up the food and wine tasting! I am terrible at crafty/decorative stuff so I’m glad someone in my new family is great at it :)
The centerpieces are gorgeous!!
The Meet and Greet Party was sooooooo fun…….I LOVED IT!!! :-)
And the Wines were fannetastic!
Please thank Matt’s parents for including us – we had a lovely time!
Great memories! Thank you again.
How fun getting ready with all your friends the day before! Oh wow those centerpieces are gorgeous! And to think they’re only for the rehearsal, I can’t wait to see how the reception turns out. Thanks for recapping!
Everything looks so beautiful! If this was the rehearsal, I can’t wait to see more from the wedding!
You two look so incredibly happy! I’m so glad you’re posting these recaps. Can’t wait to read more!!
What a wonderful party!
I LOVE those centerpieces! So cute and unique. I can’t wait to see all the other pics. Looks like the start of a great weekend :)
Awesome! Can’t wait for the next one! Looks absolutely lovely…
What a wonderful way to start your wedding weekend! Those baskets are unreal, so thoughtful and so pretty!
Anne, where did you find that cute ivory cardigan? It is so cute!
It’s from H&M!