A Sophisticated "Cottagecore" Wedding in the Rolling Hills of Virginia

Sofia and Connor locked eyes across a crowd at a food truck event in Jupiter, Florida, in March 2019—and they hit it off so quickly, that Connor's friends thought they knew each other. Although he was only living in Florida temporarily at the time, the two spent nearly every day of the next nine weeks together. When Connor left, Sofia quickly visited to meet his family, and he soon made the decision to move to Florida full-time. A year later, Connor worked with a local jewelry designer to create a custom engagement ring. He planned a weekend trip to Savannah, Georgia, and hired a photographer to act as a tour guide. The two took a walk through Forsyth Park, and when the photographer offered to take their photo, Connor got down on one knee to pop the question. "She instinctively said 'thank you' instead of the usual 'yes,' which, to me, is the sweetest part of our whole proposal story," Connor says.

When the couple decided to host their wedding in Virginia, Connor's home state, they knew Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, in North Garden, Virginia, was the ultimate place to tie the knot. "There was no other venue I wanted to see—like when I met Connor, it felt like love at first sight," Sofia says. They invited 125 guests to join them on August 27, 2021, for a mountain view ceremony and indoor dance reception.

Sofia and Connor relied on their planners at Amore Events Co. and their florist, Mallory Joyce, to help them pull together the details from their home in Florida. The result was a sophisticated wedding with a "cottagecore" theme that highlighted the venue's natural surroundings.

The couple's classic invitation suite featured deckled-edged paper, gold lettering, and a custom watercolor design on the envelope liners.

Sofia spent two days shopping before she found her wedding dress—an off-the-shoulder crepe gown from Rime Arodaky with embroidered tulle and statement sleeves.

"I remember telling my mom I felt like the most beautiful version of myself," she says. She paired her ensemble with a cathedral veil by Toni Federici and twig-like hoop earrings from a boutique in France called Le Couronnes de Victoire; they featured preserved hydrangea petals.

The bride's mom lent her a diamond bracelet and gifted her an emerald-cut aquamarine ring that once belonged to her late grandmother. "I had always coveted this ring, and would try to wear it any chance I had throughout my life," Sofia says. "It felt so special to be able to not only wear Edith's ring on my wedding day, but to keep it, too."

Sofia held a bouquet of white cosmos. "I wanted something simple and sweet, and our florist Mallory Joyce knew exactly what I was picturing," she says. Her bridesmaids—dressed in ice blue Amsale gowns—held arrangements of peach-and-yellow dahlias, sprigs of chamomile, and delphinium.

Connor donned a black Ted Baker shawl collar tuxedo paired with Ferragamo smoking slippers and Tiffany & Co. cuff links that were a gift from his bride.

Their flower girl smiled sweetly in her Isabel Garreton dress with a pale blue embroidered sash. "Her little, airy puff sleeves were similar to mine," Sofia says. "As soon as she saw me in my gown, she ran up to me and said, 'Sofia! I have those sleeves, too!' and I immediately melted."

Though Sofia didn't have a first look with Connor, the couple met for breakfast on the morning of the wedding to exchange gifts and toast to the day ahead. Later, Sofia shared a first look with her dad, her brother, and the groomsmen, who matched Connor in black tuxedos and velvet smoking slippers.

As the ceremony began, Sofia kicked off her Jimmy Choo mules and walked barefoot down the aisle with her father by her side. "From the start, I wanted to be as comfortable as possible to remain present in the moment," she says.

The pair's ceremony took place on a hillside with beautiful mountain views. A grounded floral installation mimicked a growing garden at the site of their vow exchange.

After the bridal party made their way down the aisle to "Here Comes The Sun" by Stringspace, Sofia processed in to "The Mission: Gabriel's Oboe" by Ennio Morricone, Yo-Yo Ma, and Roma Sinfonietta. "I was looking for something dramatic, uplifting, and not commonly used," Sofia says. "This song was the perfect fit."

One of the couple's favorite memories of the day? Their vow exchange. "We are both typically very lighthearted, playful people, so to be vulnerable in expressing our love for each other, surrounded by all of our loved ones, was an unforgettable moment," Sofia says. When the couple was pronounced husband and wife, Queen's "You're My Best Friend" played over speakers.

Guests made their way down a hydrangea-lined path to the cocktail hour, where a DJ got the party started. The couple served two signature sips, including the "Mrs. Marg," a tequila drink with house sours, habanero, and honey, as well as the "Maker Happy," a drink with Maker's Maker and Red Pump wine, courtesy of their venue. Guests also snacked on passed appetizers like local beef sliders, Belgian waffles with fried chicken, grilled gulf shrimp, and compressed watermelon with whipped goat feta and basil.

Escort cards were displayed on an entry table, where moss, mushrooms, dried butterflies, and candles played up the sophisticated "cottagecore" theme. "As a little girl, I believed that butterflies were angels in disguise, sent from loved ones in Heaven to make your day more beautiful," the bride says. "Each individual butterfly added a sentimental touch that made the whole day magical."

The couple's dinner reception took place inside the granary, where rooftop cupolas and hardwood floors were warmed with uplighting.

In lieu of traditional centerpieces, central terrariums featured fresh herbs, mushrooms, moss, and wildflowers.

Table settings incorporated outdoor elements via wooden chargers, deep green velvet napkins, and clay-toned linens.

Sofia and Connor's sweetheart table was set up underneath a dramatic chandelier embellished with greenery. Their table featured two organic flower arrangements, one on the table and one on the floor. Guests listened to toasts from the couple's nearest and dearest as they enjoyed dinner, which began with a course of roasted market vegetables with avocado, watercress, citrus salt, and a concord grape vinaigrette. 

The couple decided to share their first dance to Doris Troy's "Just One Look" outside on the lawn. "The timing was perfect, the sun was setting, and all of our guests were surrounding us watching us dance in the grass with a beautiful hillside backdrop," Sofia says. They chose a song with the right tempo to let them show off their personalities and have fun with their first dance. Later, they hit the interior dance floor—DJ Tobler kept guests on their feet all night long.

Their three-tiered wedding cake featured a vintage-inspired design with piping and sage green icing. The lavender sponge cake with cardamom buttercream and soft lemon filling was served for dessert.

After the newlyweds' attendees left the party, the couple shared an intimate last dance to "Ain't Gonna Lose You" by Brett Dennen. "That was the first real moment when we looked at each other, ready to take on the rest of our lives together," Sofia remembers.

At the end of the night, guests gathered outside and gave the newlyweds a sparkler exit. That evening, the couple flew from Virginia to Palm Springs, where they spent 12 days on a road trip along the coast of California. To duos currently planning their celebrations, Sofia and Connor offer this advice: "Find a way to incorporate your personalities in as many parts of your wedding as you can. If you love it and it reflects who you are, it'll always be the right choice."

Photography, Shannon Moffit
Videography, Iron & Ivy Films
Venue and Catering, Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards
Wedding Planning and Event Design, Amore Events Co.
Flowers, Mallory Joyce
Invitations and Vow Books, Sugared Fig Paperie
Day-of Paper Products, Shine
Bride's Gown, Rime Arodaky
Bride's Veil, Toni Federici
Bride's Jewelry, Le Couronnes de Victoire
Bride's Shoes, Jimmy Choo
Bride's Hair and Makeup, Avenue 42
Bridesmaids' Dresses, Amsale
Groom's Attire, Ted Baker
Groom's Shoes, Ferragamo
Groom's Cuff Links, Tiffany & Co.
Flower Girl Attire, Isabel Garreton
Groomsmen's Attire, The Black Tux
Music, DJ Tobler
Cake, Maliha Creations
Rentals, Emerson James Rental; MS Events
Transportation, A Goff Limo
Lighting, Blue Ridge Event Production