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  7. A Rustic Fall Wedding in Virginia with an Aubergine-and-Cream Color Palette
Martha Stewart Weddings

A Rustic Fall Wedding in Virginia with an Aubergine-and-Cream Color Palette

By Marilyn Oliveira
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bride and groom share a kiss while holding hands
Credit: Sarah Cramer Shields

As University of Virginia alums, it made sense for this couple to return to Charlottesville for their big day.

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bride and groom share a kiss while holding hands
Credit: Sarah Cramer Shields

Since Kara Jones and Taylor Hogge met and began dating while completing their undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia, it made sense that they would want to marry near Charlottesville—particularly at a venue with ties to the university. Seven Oaks Farms and Vineyards, located approximately 15 minutes outside of the city, proved to be the perfect locale. "We loved the mountain views, the old historic home, and the multiple spaces where we could hold different aspects of our wedding. And, of course, the connection to UVA—it was owned by the university's first bursar," says Kara. "The venue really encapsulates so much of what makes Charlottesville special: great wine, beautiful views, and warm and welcoming owners, who also happen to be UVA alums," adds Taylor.

Since the pair didn't want to detract from the scenic views of the property, they designed around the venue's best features to create a romantic garden party, accented with lots of wood and greenery and touches of aubergine and cream. "We both wanted a rustic theme, which felt very at home in the setting," says Taylor. "I'm a big nature lover, so accenting the natural beauty of one of my favorite places in the world was most important to me."

The couple and 150 of their loved ones traveled (some ventured all the way from China!) to the sentimental spot on October 13, 2018, a cool and sunny day without a cloud in the sky—the perfect weather for an outdoor autumn wedding. "I've never felt more supported and loved, or experienced such an overwhelming sense of joy," says Kara. "It was incredible having so many people who have stolen a piece of my heart all in the same place."

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An Ethereal Wedding Dress

kara taylor wedding bride posing with bouquet
Credit: Sarah Cramer Shields
Can You Ever Try on Too Many Wedding Dresses?

Kara's silk and tulle Alexandra Grecco wedding dress trumped the 60 other gowns she'd previously tried on. "I loved the detailed, hand-embroidered floral appliqués, subtle color, and most importantly, that it made me feel like the most beautiful version of myself," says Kara.

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Velvet Bridal Shoes

bride putting on aubergine velvet pumps
Credit: Sarah Cramer Shields
25 Nontraditional Wedding Shoe Ideas from Stylish Brides

The bride knew she wanted to wear velvet shoes to her wedding, and immediately fell in love with these aubergine Gianvito Rossi pumps when she saw them online. "Not only were they even prettier in person, but they were also incredibly comfortable," says the bride.

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A Romantic Bridal Bouquet

pale blush and deep eggplant colored floral bouquet
Credit: Sarah Cramer Shields
The 50 Best Wedding Bouquets

Carbon and Salt created the bride's dreamy wedding bouquet based on the event's colors, a photo of the wedding dress, and Kara's favorite flowers. Blooms ranging in contrasting shades of the palest blush to the deepest aubergine were offset by greenery.

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Sentimental Groom's Accessories

groom wearing navy tux pins red floral boutonniere
Credit: Sarah Cramer Shields

In addition to a navy shawl-neck tuxedo from The Black Tux, the groom wore a bow tie covered in red peonies, his bride's favorite flower. His cuff links, a Christmas present from his mother and stepfather, featured a nautical map of the York River in Gloucester, Virginia, where he and his late father used to fish. "Since my dad couldn't be there in person, it was important to me to wear my cuff links for the wedding to honor him," Taylor says.

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A Brilliant Bridal Party

Bridesmaids donned brilliant aubergine dresses of their choosing, having selected their favorite styles from WTOO by Watters. A trio of flower girls—all cousins of the bride—wore creamy dresses custom made by one of Kara's family members.

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An Emotional First Look

bride and groom hold each other after first look
Credit: Sarah Cramer Shields
These Adorable Photos Make the Case for Having a First Look on Your Wedding Day

Kara and Taylor both say that their first look was their favorite part of the big day. "It gave us a moment to ourselves and put the day into perspective," says Taylor. "I went from feeling incredibly nervous to totally relaxed as soon as I turned around and saw her. After the first look we both were able to loosen up a bit and enjoy the day to the fullest."

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Inspired Miniature Programs

dainty white paper pyramid programs with black writing and greenery designs
Credit: Sarah Cramer Shields

Guests were greeted by tiny paper pyramids that briefly outlined the ceremony and opened to reveal dried flower petals for tossing.

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A Naturally Beautiful Ceremony Site

wooden seating outside on grass between trees for ceremony
Credit: Sarah Cramer Shields

Wooden chairs were arranged on the property's lush lawn, creating a natural aisle of emerald green grass. Potted herbs added to the landscape, while tables set with burgundy flower arrangements defined the altar area.

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An Eclectic Wedding Ceremony

bride and groom during wedding ceremony as guests watch
Credit: Sarah Cramer Shields
Unique Wedding Vows for the Modern Couple

The spiritual vibe of the ceremony was enhanced by the contributions of loved ones. A member of Taylor's extended family officiated the ceremony, and Kara's 88-year-old grandfather gave a recitation from the novel Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey that was so theatrical, it brought the bride and groom from the edge of tears to laughter and back again.

One of Kara's favorite parts of the ceremony was a moment taken to acknowledge all of the important people who were there in spirit, including Taylor's father and the pair's late grandparents. The vows themselves were a clever take on the conventional. "We riffed on traditional vows, making them perfect for us," says the bride.

Once the ceremony was over, Kara and Taylor recessed down the aisle to Lauryn Hill's version of the song "Can't Take My Eyes Off You."

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A Delicious Cocktail Hour

fruit and cheese display during cocktail hour
Credit: Sarah Cramer Shields

Guests mingled in the property's Boxwood Garden and enjoyed a fruit-and-cheese display in addition to passed hor d'oeuvres during the cocktail hour. Music from a custom song list curated by the bride and groom kept the energy going and, the bar served up margaritas made from Kara's father's own recipe.

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Fresh Place Cards

magnolia leave place cards with white hand-calligraphy
Credit: Sarah Cramer Shields
Wedding Place Cards That Are Truly Unique

Hand-calligraphed magnolia leaves served as novel place cards, the perfect complement to the natural theme of the wedding. The bridesmaids' bouquets contributed colorful décor to the head table.

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Pretty Floral Place Settings

floral plates accented by simple white table linens and floral centerpieces
Credit: Sarah Cramer Shields

A trio of wooden farm tables were brought together to compose one large head table, which was further adorned with taper candles, potted herbs, bud vases, and a narrow garland of greenery. The remaining reception tables were decorated with fresh potted herbs, candles, and wine-colored tablecloths with faux burlap napkins in a creamy hue.

Menus from Minted adorned several place settings at each table. "We wanted to keep utensils and glassware simple," says Kara, "but went for it with the ornate floral plates, which were gorgeous and tied the whole table together."

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Verdant Table Numbers

handcrafted wooden table numbers with mossy covering
Credit: Sarah Cramer Shields
The Prettiest Wedding Table Number Ideas from Real Weddings

The bride herself contributed to the table décor in her first major crafting project with a little help from her family. "My Uncle Sam stained and cut bases from tree branches for the table numbers, and I took on hot gluing moss to the actual numbers the week before the wedding," she says.

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A Spirited Dessert Table

various cakes, pies, and pastry desserts
Credit: Sarah Cramer Shields

Flags hailing the couple's shared alma mater draped a dessert table that featured four cakes, hand pies, mini pies, cookies, and mini tarts. All of the desserts were from Paradox Pastry, a coffee shop the bride and her maid of honor frequented in college.

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A Naked Wedding Cake

custom cake topper on double tier cake with thin white frosting layer
Credit: Sarah Cramer Shields
30 Naked Cakes for Your Wedding

Of the four cakes at the reception, the couple chose to cut a delicious naked apple-spice confection with cream cheese frosting. A custom cake topper that included the couple's cat adorned the top tier.

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A Dance-Filled Reception

bride and groom embrace while dancing
Credit: Sarah Cramer Shields
21 Reception Dresses Brides Changed Into for Their Parties

Kara changed into a long-sleeved, backless dress from For Love and Lemons to end the evening with plenty of dancing.

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Sources

bride and groom hugging each other surrounded by greenery
Credit: Sarah Cramer Shields

Photography, Sarah Cramer Shields Photography
Location, Septenary Winery at Seven Oaks Farm
Event planning, Events with Panache
Catering, Roadside Chive
Flowers, Carbon and Salt
Calligraphy, Cori Leek
Stationery, Rock Paper Scissors; Minted
Cake, Paradox Pastry
Music, Garland Studios
Rentals, MS Events; Virginia Tent Rental
Hair, Top Knot Studio
Makeup, Brideface Richmond
Lighting, MS Events
Bride's gown, Alexandra Grecco
Bride's reception dress, For Love and Lemons
Bride's shoes, Gianvito Rossi
Bride's veil, Cleo and Clementine
Engagement ring and wedding bands, Blue Nile
Bridesmaids' dresses, WTOO by Watters
Groom's suit, The Black Tux
Groomsmen's suits, The Black Tux
Transportation, A&A Limousine

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    1 of 18
    2 of 18 An Ethereal Wedding Dress
    3 of 18 Velvet Bridal Shoes
    4 of 18 A Romantic Bridal Bouquet
    5 of 18 Sentimental Groom's Accessories
    6 of 18 A Brilliant Bridal Party
    7 of 18 An Emotional First Look
    8 of 18 Inspired Miniature Programs
    9 of 18 A Naturally Beautiful Ceremony Site
    10 of 18 An Eclectic Wedding Ceremony
    11 of 18 A Delicious Cocktail Hour
    12 of 18 Fresh Place Cards
    13 of 18 Pretty Floral Place Settings
    14 of 18 Verdant Table Numbers
    15 of 18 A Spirited Dessert Table
    16 of 18 A Naked Wedding Cake
    17 of 18 A Dance-Filled Reception
    18 of 18 Sources

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    A Rustic Fall Wedding in Virginia with an Aubergine-and-Cream Color Palette
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