Weddings

Two Stylish Brides, One VERY Gorgeous Venue: We Love The Anniversary Photos at this Cool Outdoor Church in Virginia

Two Stylish Brides, One VERY Gorgeous Venue: We Love The Anniversary Photos at this Cool Outdoor Church in Virginia

The next time a friend or coworker tries to set you up with that tired line, “I know someone who would be perfect for you,” Bethany Frazier and Ashleigh Lum have some advice for you: say yes.

The two met on a blind date back in July 2014 over blackberry ales at Hardywood Park and struck up a nervous conversation. “Right off the bat, she seemed like she’d be too cool for me,” Bethany remembers, “but after talking for a bit, I realized she was extremely shy, which drew me right in.”

Ashleigh, on the other hand, remembers her first glimpse of Bethany’s “stunning blue eyes” the moment she took off her sunglasses. When the couple looks back on that first month of dating, they notice how coy and shy they were. It was completely different from what they had experienced when dating in the past: Rather than jumping into a relationship, the couple got to know each other slowly, exploring mutual interests and sharing stories. It didn’t take long before they knew that they’d found “the one.”

In June 2016, Bethany and Ashleigh were prepping for their housewarming: Bethany was in the kitchen making homemade tortillas and feeling slightly overwhelmed, when Ashleigh wrapped her arms around her and said “You’re doing a great job, what can I do to help?” In that moment, she knew it was time. She’d talked to her parents already—and bought the ring—so a few days later she popped the question. The pair was leisurely making their way home after a casual Wednesday night dinner when they stopped to sit in a small park. “Surrounded by lightning bugs and moon flowers,” the couple recalls, “Bethany proposed.”

To celebrate, they decided to go for a styled shoot—one that was intimate, mindful, and warm. They worked with event stylist and designer Ruie + Grace to create just that. The couple has some solid advice when it comes to deciding whether a styled shoot is a good option: “If it feels right, then go for it, but it is a styled shoot, something perfected for the camera, so align with a photographer that you really vibe with and that can capture your true essence.”

Carly Romeo & Co shows how it’s done in the ultra-stylish images below, with design and styling by Ruie + Grace.

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virginia polegreen church historic outdoor church Bethany Frazier and Ashleigh Lum Ruie & Grace insanely stylish bridal jumpsuit

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virginia polegreen church historic outdoor church Bethany Frazier and Ashleigh Lum Ruie & Grace insanely stylish bridal jumpsuit

virginia polegreen church historic outdoor church Bethany Frazier and Ashleigh Lum Ruie & Grace insanely stylish bridal jumpsuitvirginia polegreen church historic outdoor church Bethany Frazier and Ashleigh Lum Ruie & Grace insanely stylish bridal jumpsuit

virginia polegreen church historic outdoor church Bethany Frazier and Ashleigh Lum Ruie & Grace insanely stylish bridal jumpsuit

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virginia polegreen church historic outdoor church Bethany Frazier and Ashleigh Lum Ruie & Grace insanely stylish bridal jumpsuit

virginia polegreen church historic outdoor church Bethany Frazier and Ashleigh Lum Ruie & Grace insanely stylish bridal jumpsuit

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virginia polegreen church historic outdoor church Bethany Frazier and Ashleigh Lum Ruie & Grace insanely stylish bridal jumpsuit

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virginia polegreen church historic outdoor church Bethany Frazier and Ashleigh Lum Ruie & Grace insanely stylish bridal jumpsuit

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virginia polegreen church historic outdoor church Bethany Frazier and Ashleigh Lum Ruie & Grace insanely stylish bridal jumpsuit

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virginia polegreen church historic outdoor church Bethany Frazier and Ashleigh Lum Ruie & Grace insanely stylish bridal jumpsuitvirginia polegreen church historic outdoor church Bethany Frazier and Ashleigh Lum Ruie & Grace insanely stylish bridal jumpsuit

The Details

Photographer: Carly Romeo & Co
Event Design & Styling: Ruie + Grace
Venue: Historic Polegreen Church
Hair & Makeup: Annie Radigan Hair & Makeup Artistry
Paper Goods: Natalie Kay, Off The Beaten Press
Model Styling: Karlie Rebecca
Wedding Dress: BHLDN
Wedding Jumpsuit: Rent the Runway
Chocolate Favors: Fleurir Chocolates
Pies: Mom’s Apple Pie

 

Assistant Editor

Hayley is an Associate Editor at Washingtonian Weddings. Previously she was the the Style Editor at The Local Palate, a Southern food culture magazine based out of Charleston, South Carolina. You can follow her on instagram @wandertaste.