Weddings

You Have to See the Bold Tartan Kilts at This Reverend Couple’s Scottish-Inspired Wedding

What’s rarer: a wedding where the reverends marry each other, or one where half the party dons kilts? The elegant Scottish-inspired wedding of Reverend Anne Pierpoint and Reverend Andrew Mertz had both. Read on for their story, with photographs by Amber Kay Photography.

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Anne Pierpoint + Andrew Mertz | Amber Kay Photography 1
Anne Pierpoint + Andrew Mertz | Amber Kay Photography2
Anne Pierpoint + Andrew Mertz | Amber Kay Photography3
Anne Pierpoint + Andrew Mertz | Amber Kay Photography4

Anne Pierpoint + Andrew Mertz | Amber Kay Photography6
Anne Pierpoint + Andrew Mertz | Amber Kay Photography7

Anne (who goes by Annie) and Andrew’s story also features a third rare occurrence: a successful blind date.

A wise friend invited Andrew to visit the Virginia Theological Seminary where she and Anne  were studying. When it was clear Annie and Andrew liked each other, their friend “suddenly” remembered she had work to do and left the two alone at the bar.

Anne Pierpoint + Andrew Mertz | Amber Kay Photography9
Anne Pierpoint + Andrew Mertz | Amber Kay Photography10

After talking late into the evening, Andrew told Annie he hoped to see her again. Annie surprised him by replying: “Oh no, we’re just getting started!” Their first date ended atop the clock tower, and as they looked out at Alexandria after dark, Annie realized she was already falling in love.

Anne Pierpoint + Andrew Mertz | Amber Kay Photography12
Anne Pierpoint + Andrew Mertz | Amber Kay Photography13

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Anne Pierpoint + Andrew Mertz | Amber Kay Photography16

The couple dated for just under a year before Andrew started planning the proposal. When he and Annie decided to spend a summer weekend at his parent’s farm, he knew it was the perfect opportunity. Over the weekend, Andrew teased his future bride with two fake-out proposals first, putting Annie on edge.

Finally, Andrew invited Annie to take a walk with him through a garden maze on the farm under the pretense of discussing their relationship. At the exit, he got down on one knee. Annie burst into tears of frustration, thinking it was another joke — until she saw the ring.

Given the groom’s Scottish heritage, the wedding featured plenty of tartan, bagpipes, and yes, kilts. The bride held a one-of-a-kind bouquet of succulents, Scottish thistles, blue hydrangea, white roses, and peacock feathers, a design created by Andrew’s mother and cousin.

Anne Pierpoint + Andrew Mertz | Amber Kay Photography34
Anne Pierpoint + Andrew Mertz | Amber Kay Photography35

After the ceremony, a bagpiper led the procession into Old Town Alexandria. A make-your-own Italian soda bar awaited guests during the cocktail hour, plus twenty pounds of See’s chocolates, flown in from California.

When the festivities were done, the couple celebrated their summer wedding with a honeymoon in Virginia Beach.

VENDORS

Photographer: Amber Kay Photography | Venue: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church & Virginia Theological Seminary | Event Coordinator: JoLynn Ibanez of A Wedding Squared | Florist: Heather Lukk & Carol Mertz | Invitations: Vistaprint | Caterers: Meriwether Godsey | Bride’s Gown: Nicole Miller from Nan Winters | Hair Dresser: JKWBeauty | Makeup Artist: JoLynn Ibanez | Groom’s Tux: Atlanta Kilts | Transportation: Alexandria Transit Company | Music/Entertainment: Mark Harman of Harmany DJs | Cake: Confectioner’s Art