Hannah & Andrew were married in a family celebration in beautiful Williamsburg, Virginia. We loved the details of their day, including having Hannah’s grandfather marry them, as well as using the cake topper from her great grandparents wedding in 1938. After all, wedding days are all about families coming together, and a new family unit being created – so we love when the day is filled with meaningful details that reflect that!
How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of one another?
We met back in high school when we were taking riding lessons at the same barn. We joined the IHSA team together and grew closer while attending horse shows but we remained just friends.
Hannah – Drew was the only guy on our equestrian team so I definitely noticed him from the beginning! I thought he was cute and I made it known that I was determined to be friends with him.
Drew – There were a lot of girls on the team, but she immediately stood out to me. She was so beautiful and personal.
Tell us a funny story relating to your wedding day or relationship!
I almost didn’t make it down the aisle due to new shoes not cold feet! The new leather soles of my Dad’s shoes on the slate chapel floor almost caused us both to fall down about half way up the aisle. This was news to me when my Dad told us a few days after the wedding – I was pretty focused on Drew and getting down the aisle as fast as possible!
Describe a hurdle you had to overcome in your relationship or during your wedding planning.
We were long distance for the majority of our relationship. We started dating while attending different colleges and then started jobs in different cities – DC and NYC. It was very difficult but it made us really appreciate the time we were able to spend with each other. We always kept our sights on the day we would get to start spending “school nights” together and now we’re finally there!
Any special ways you incorporated your family or family history into your wedding day?
Incorporating our families into the wedding was very important to us. We each had our one sibling as maid of honor and best man. We used the cake topper from my (Hannah) great grandparent’s wedding in June 1938. We proudly displayed wedding photos of parents and grandparents on a memory table. I wore my mom’s garter and my engagement ring is a family heirloom. Without a doubt though, the most special was having my grandfather officiate the wedding.
What part of your wedding day was/is most important to you?
Having Hannah’s grandfather officiate the wedding was the most important. He knows us through and through and has seen us grow as individuals and as a couple. Even before we were engaged we knew we wanted him to marry us and he was the first “vendor” we locked down!
What is the best thing you’ve learned from one another?
That our differences are what make us stronger as a couple. We’re compatible because we aren’t the same – we push each other to see things from another perspective and leave our comfort zones.
What is your favorite thing about each other?
Drew – Her patience with me. She’s not the most patient person overall but she shows me a lot of patience which clearly comes from a place of love.
Hannah – I love that he has always made me feel safe to be 100% myself – good, bad, ugly.
What was your favorite part about planning your wedding?
Knowing that one day soon it would become a happy reality. We planned a wedding that we both knew we would love and we couldn’t wait to experience it with our families and friends.
If you had one piece of advice for other couples, what would it be?
Don’t feel the need to follow wedding trends and have elements in your wedding that don’t enhance the experience for you. We enjoyed planning because we didn’t get caught up with additional pieces like programs or favors that weren’t important to us. We focused on having great music, and delicious food in a beautiful venue so that when the time came we could relax all weekend and focus on being totally present.
What is the most honest thing you can say about love?
You fall in love and then you choose to protect and strengthen that love every day. It’s a gift and a responsibility to love someone and it’s something that you should never take for granted.
Photographer: David Abel Photography / venue: Williamsburg Inn / stylist / planner / designer: Morgan Roberts / floral designer: Aleen Floral Design / dress boutique: Modern Trousseau / dress designer: Modern Trousseau / cake designer: Colonial Williamsburg Wedding & Social Catering / makeup artist: Lo & Co. / hair stylist: The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg / men’s formalwear: Indochino / film lab: Richard Photo Lab / The Wren Chapel / band – Good Shot Judy
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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