Grayson and Samuel’s story began long before their wedding day.
They first met as kindergarteners and back-door neighbors, growing up in each other’s orbit through childhood, adolescence, and a first kiss in seventh grade. The connection was always there, but the timing never quite aligned until years later, when they unexpectedly crossed paths in downtown Richmond the night before Thanksgiving in 2019.
From there, everything changed.
They began dating in March 2020, navigating two and a half years of long distance between Richmond and New York City before Grayson eventually moved north in 2022. A year and a half later, Samuel proposed on the rooftop of the Quirk Hotel, bringing their story back to a city already filled with shared history.
Their wedding at The Estate at River Run was a joyful reflection of that journey – bold, colorful, deeply personal, and full of the kind of energy that comes from being surrounded by people who have known your story from the beginning.
The ceremony unfolded beside the river beneath an arch overflowing with bright florals and greenery. Grayson chose to skip a first look, making her entrance down the grand staircase instead. The expression on Samuel’s face as he watched her descend became one of the moments she knew she would remember forever.
Inside the reception, a stone fireplace anchored the space while string lights, a crystal chandelier, and a black-and-white checkered dance floor brought together classic detail and lively celebration. By the end of the evening, Grayson and Samuel had joined the band onstage, with Samuel stepping behind the piano as guests cheered them on.
Their sparkler exit marked the close of the night – and the beginning of the next chapter in a story that had already been unfolding for decades.
“I will always remember his face as I descended from the back staircase.”
How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of one another?
Samuel and I were back-door neighbors growing up, so we met in kindergarten when his parents bought the house behind mine.
Samuel and I always had a connection growing up, but the timing never seemed to be right. Although he was my first kiss in seventh grade!
We saw each other out in downtown Richmond on the night before Thanksgiving in 2019. From then, we kept in touch and started dating in March of 2020.
Samuel lived in New York City and I lived in Richmond. COVID was helpful with this! We did about two and a half years of long distance until I finally moved to New York City in August of 2022.
Samuel surprised me with the best proposal and after-party on the Quirk Rooftop on March 30, 2024.
Any special ways you incorporated your family or family history into your wedding day?
We were married on Thursday, March 27, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church by my childhood priest in a small ceremony.
Samuel’s uncle, who is a Presbyterian minister, married us at The Estate at River Run.
The best of both worlds!
What part of your wedding day was most important to you?
I wanted the wedding to be very colorful.
My bridesmaids wore sage green dresses, all of my flowers were the brightest colors, and I wanted the day to feel really happy.
Samuel and I did not have a first look. I will always remember his face as I descended from the back staircase.
The best moment.
What was your favorite part about planning your wedding?
As I was getting my hair and makeup done, I sat in the bridal suite bathroom watching my flower arch come to life.
It was beautiful.
You don’t see all your planning come together until the wedding day, so being able to watch that happen in real time was incredible.
If you had one piece of advice for other couples, what would it be?
Soak in every single moment of the wedding day because it goes by so fast!
Venue: The Estate at River Run / @estateatriverrun
Photography: Marshall Arts Photography / @marshallarts.photography
Planning & Florals: Amy Marie Events / @amymarieevents
Rentals: Rent-E-Quip / @rentequipva
Catering: Groovin’ Gourmets / @groovingourmets
Photo Booth: Richmond Photobooth / @richmondphotobooth
Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Music: Goldtone Strings / @goldtonestrings
DJ: Bunn DJ Company / @bunndjrva
Band: Three Sheets to the Wind through East Coast Entertainment / @eastcoastentertainment @3sheetsagram
Hair & Makeup: Avenue 42 / @ave42salon
Transportation: Newton’s Bus
Publisher at The White Wren and Bajan Wed, Award Winning Photography + Videographer at Live View Studios, Dad, 80s music lover, crunchy health advocate
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