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Each month, StyleBlueprint showcases a wedding from around the South. This month, we bring you to Virginia for the wedding of Cathleen Gruver and Ross Atkins.

On a clear September day, at a vineyard in Virginia, Cathleen Gruver married her college sweetheart, Ross Atkins. Sixteen months before this date, Cathleen experienced the moment she had dreamed of her whole life: a romantic proposal. Her senior year at Roanoke College, where the pair met, Ross popped the question. On the night before her graduation, he led Cathleen to the steps of the admissions building, which were covered in rose petals, candles and sparkling wine. With their family and friends hiding in the bushes, he read a handwritten poem, played the song “Marry Me” and got down on one knee to ask the big question. How did Cathleen react? “Of course, I said ‘Yes!’ as tears streamed down my face. Then lo and behold, all of our family (including my then almost-90-year-old grandfather) and friends came out from behind the bushes and had a toast with us. It was so special to get to share that moment with all of the people I love.”

A vineyard is a stunning setting for a fall wedding! Pin

Post-engagement, the couple set out to find a venue, and when they stumbled upon Breaux Vineyards in Purcellville, VA, they knew they had found the spot. Having a little more than a year to plan, Cathleen was able to cover every detail, and the results were breathtaking. During the ceremony, guests enjoyed unobstructed views of the vineyards as Cathleen and Ross said their “I Do’s.” The venue acted as the perfect backdrop to the evening, and while the pair wanted to incorporate the vineyards and wine, they did not want them to take center stage. Through personal details and unique elements, this wedding provided the perfect blend of both the couple and the setting. Let the details below inspire you.

See more details from this personalized vineyard wedding! Pin
The bride, in a Marisa 865 gown, and the groom, clad in Calvin Klein, were set on an outdoor wedding from the start. As soon as they experienced the wedding area at Breaux Vineyards, Ross looked up and said, “This is it.”
The stunning skies formed the perfect backdrop. The soft grey fits the setting perfectly.Pin
The stunning skies and breathtaking views formed the backdrop for the festivities. The 16-person wedding party was made up of family and friends dressed in a soft gray. In an effort to make everyone feel comfortable, the bride let the bridesmaids pick their own dresses. As long as they were in a specific color and material, each could select what fit her figure and personality.
Adorable etsy sign for the flower girls to holdPin
The five-person team of flower girls included Cathleen’s cousins and Ross’ niece. Cathleen found a double-sided sign on Etsy that read “Here Comes the Bride” on the front and “Just Married” on the back. The little gals looked adorable in their tutus and white tees.
The father-of-the-bride walked his daughter down the aisle to Ave MariaPin
Just as her grandmother had done many years before, Cathleen walked down the aisle to “Ave Maria.”
Every moment from this wedding was perfectly capturedPin
The couple said traditional vows, and the ceremony was officiated by a Catholic priest. While Cathleen is Catholic, Ross does not have ties to the church. This priest was a perfect fit because he was used to marrying couples with different religious backgrounds and was happy to do so.

Attendees were delighted by the frivolous fun that surrounded the evening. After the ceremony, the 150 guests enjoyed a cocktail hour with specialty drinks, cornhole and light bites. Then they headed inside the tent for a seated feast of a red pear salad and the choice of roast beef tenderloin, sautéed chicken breasts or ratatouille tarts served with risotto with roasted garlic, butternut squash and asparagus. The four-layer cake, which was cut toward the end of the night, was as delicious as it was pretty. The bottom layer was old-fashioned butter cake with white chocolate mousse and strawberry purée; the second and third layers were Belgium Callebaut chocolate cake filled with chocolate silk, Godiva Liqueur and raspberry purée, and the top layer was red velvet cake filled with cream cheese. Each layer was covered in vanilla butter cream icing. After the guests dined and the couple shared their first dance to “I Won’t Give Up,” by Jason Mraz, the DJ kept the dance floor packed.

Simple details elevate the vineyard settingPin
When asked about the inspiration for the flowers, Cathleen responded: “Since we were at a vineyard with perfect scenery, I didn’t need to get crazy with flowers, but Morgan from Petals & Hedges completely nailed it (I pretty much left it in her hands to figure it out since she was the expert); the flowers were soft, elegant and natural.”
The flowers are different but cohesivePin
Cathleen was inspired by a neutral palette of pale pink, gray, ivory, champagne and beige, notes of which were seen throughout, including the flower arrangements. Each cluster of flowers was unique; the natural elements and soft hues lent a cohesive look.
Personalized details made this wedding extra special Pin
Cathleen is getting her master’s in interior design, which gives her a specific eye for details, a few of which were inspired by the location: a wine barrel bar, wine barrels at the end of the aisle holding flowers, as well as a wine barrel holding the cake, and a letter “A” made out of wine corks. These touches enlivened the setting and paired nicely with other elements they chose.
The bride/groom chairs were personalized with a banner and pillowsPin
Other sentimental touches included pictures of their direct line of parents and grandparents at their weddings, handmade table numbers, a personalized banner and pillows, and Cathleen’s great-grandmother’s cameo pin, which she put on her bouquet.
The "wishes" table - fresh herbs to toss at the couple (no clean up involved!)Pin
The herb table was filled with rosemary, oregano, thyme and sage, which represented “wishes” for the couple. Guests were invited to put these wishes in a cone and toss them at Ross and Cathleen as they walked down the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. Atkins. The best part? It was all natural. There was no cleanup involved!

Each herb represents a different wish for the couplePin

Personalized cocktails during cocktail hourPin
During the cocktail hour, the bar served Leeny’s Bellinis, a play on Cathleen’s nickname and her Italian heritage, and the Atkins Arnold Palmer, a nod to Ross’ favorite drink and love for golf.

Place setting with menu card - love the natural tonesPin

First dance with the groom and her father before the night kicked offPin
At another wedding, Ross and Cathleen overhead a woman comment that “kids these days never do real dancing at weddings anymore.” This inspired them to have a traditional first dance. With a few dancing lessons under their belts, they wowed their guests with their moves. Cathleen then danced with her father to “The Way You Look Tonight.”
Happily ever after! Pin
With a spectacular night behind them, the newlyweds were all smiles as they headed to Aruba for their honeymoon!

Just married sign found on etsy.Pin

Next month will mark the four-year anniversary of Ross and Cathleen’s engagement! We are thankful that they shared their special day with us, and we wish them health and happiness in the many years of marriage they have ahead of them.

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Author: Alex Hendrickson
About the Author
Alex Hendrickson

Alex is a Southern writer known for hunting down delicious stories and traveling the world with hunger. Her passions and interests lie in food, travel, interior design and inspiring people, and her dream is to eat a dozen oysters a day.