Thorncliff Wedding

On Saturday I had the joy of being present at the union of two dear college friends (sorority sister) Abbey and Tim at Abbey's parents home outside of Richmond, VA in Maidens. Tim was a golfer in college and played on the Tour for a year before getting a "big kid" job - so there were WM golf team members galore - including my birthday twin, fellow guest and date, Lindsey. We headed down from NoVA to the RIC with her parents - super fun couple Barbie and Craig. Unfortunately we didn't go down until the day of the wedding so we missed the rehearsal dinner at Kinloch Golf Club Friday evening.

There was major threat of a storm Saturday afternoon but as the charter bus that picked us up from the hotel at Short Pump headed towards Maidens, the clouds parted and the sun shone down on the rolling hills of VA. Little did I know that these rolling hills - were actually Abbey's parents' hills! The bus turned off the road onto a driveway and it was a TIGHT squeeze for the big old charter to get through the "gate" columns. We continued past a few farmhouses, a barn and then from the bottom of the hill we gazed up at Abbey's parents house...make that estate. Thorncliff - their home - is literally the Biltmore estate. (All the surrounding land is part of their home too as her dad dabbles in cattle ranching and the farmhouses we passed are where the farmhands live). After everyone on the bus picked their jaws off the floor we hiked up the hill to the front drive where the wedding ceremony took place.

The bridesmaids wore a french blue strapless long gown, the men were in classic black tuxedos and Abbey's adorable nephew, the ring bearer, was dressed in a classic white overall ensemble complete with his white and khaki saddle shoes. Tim looked so happy waiting for his bride at the end of the altar and Abbey was a vision! She kept true to herself and style and was "Abbey".  She wore her hair down as she always does, makeup was as always and her dress was ivory, strapless, princess style and beaded.  Her veil was quite long but went well with her dress. And all the men at the wedding looked dashing in their tuxedos... I use the "it's Richmond" excuse as way of explaining why all the male guests donned their penguin suits. There was a lot of personality shown in color and themes of bow ties and cummerbunds. LOVE! Plus the invitation was so formal that even though it was not written down it was to be expected. The women's attire ranged from Sunday church to semi-formal. As for me, I wore a bridesmaid dress from Sommer's 2009 wedding. There was a "fleur-de-lis" icon that was on everything from the save-the-date to the cups and bar napkins at the reception.

After the ceremony we were shuttled over to the reception (a hill over). A tent had been set up on top of another hill and the view was stunning. Just miles of rolling VA hills, trees, the river and Thorncliff. The band was fun but oddly enough they didn't know how to play Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight" - the couple's choice for their first dance. So instead they danced to "Daddy's Home".... a little bizarre. Google the lyrics. Also a little different - "Purple Rain" by Prince for the mother/son and father/daughter dance. The passed hors d'oeuvres of grilled shrimp and guacamole on a crispy wonton and a duck crostini were delicious. The late night sliders on garlic biscuits were also delectable.  We all had a wonderful time and then sent the couple off to The Jefferson Hotel for their wedding night in a salute of sparklers. A big congratulations to Abbey & Tim!