Once we arrived at Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, I nervously frittered about, organizing things in the bridal suite. My MOH and I were there before Jeanne Cusick of Cville Makeup and Elisa of Elisa B Photography, so there wasn’t all that much that we had to do. The rest of the bridal party, Dr. Bridesmaid and Sister Mink, joined us soon after and the venue staff brought the food I had ordered.
Much of the morning and afternoon are a blur. I don’t know what came over me, but I stopped caring about all the details at some point and just wanted to go get married. When sweet Jeanne asked me if I liked something she was doing with my hair or makeup, I wound up looking at my MOH or Elisa. I guess I checked out a bit.
We hung around the loft, nibbled on the food, and drank champagne. Amanda Gray, our DOC, had dedicated one of her interns to the bridal loft, so we didn’t really have any tasks. The intern steamed my veil and delivered little things I had in my bag that had to be placed elsewhere in the venue.
Dr. Bridesmaid brought her fancy camera (she’s a fantastic photographer) and wound updocumenting some things that I’ll share in a future post. I don’t have as many photosof her in the loft because she wasn’t doing much lounging around!
At whatever point Amanda’s timeline instructed us to put me in my gown, that process commenced. I have an oddly nostalgic feeling when I look at this image of me showing of my monogram label. I never liked my monogram (the letters don’t intertwine, so it always looked strange to me), but I love that label.
I held that dress onto my body at the waist just to so I could avoid having one of those “hands on breasts” pictures.
I was in my gown so quickly that Elisa asked us to unzip it and do it over again. You’ll notice that in this second zipping up picture, I already have my bracelet on.
In just a few minutes, I went from sitting around in my robe to dressed and ready for the evening. I’m so glad this was a moment that I shared with friends who have loved and supported Mr. Mink and I throughout our relationship.
MOH and Sister Mink
Throughout the afternoon, I was checking outside to see how the sky looked. Storms tend to come through our area quickly and I was kind of hoping we’d have a tremendous storm in the early afternoon and have clear skies by ceremony time. The realist in me knew that no matter what, the ceremony was happening indoors.
All images by Elisa B Photography
Did you miss a Merry Mink recap?
It’s nice to see that getting ready room in action! Beautiful shots!
Absolutely lovely, Mrs. Mink! Digging the texture on your gown!
I just love all of these pics! My favorite comment was…I held that dress onto my body at the waist just to so I could avoid having one of those “hands on breasts” pictures. Good advice for future brides to be!
I love the robes and your dress is so beautiful. You look amazing!!!
Looove that second black and white shot! You’re glowing!
@shirasagi: After a year and a half of visiting Pippin Hill, it was surreal to finally be getting ready in that bridal loft!
@pengoala: Thanks!
@Miss Otter: Just wait…there are some amazing pictures of it coming at the very end of my recaps. 
@Mrs. Pain au Chocolat: Thanks! I feel as thought the black and white pictures show it off best, but as I wrote to Otter above, I have some great ones to share at the very end.
@Mrs. Treasure: I think that’s my favorite, too!
@lsharley63: Aw, thank you!
@melisslp: I saw the picture so much on wedding blogs that I specifically thought about avoiding it.
@Mrs. Castle: Thank you so much, Castle!
@Miss Gray Wolf: There’s more coming!!!
@Mrs. Dragon: Hee hee. I thought it was cute, too. I think it shows how relatively quiet things were. Even though I was worrying about the rain, it was nice not to have too many people in there fussing around.
gosh, I never get sick of looking at your dress(es)! you look so beautiful!
Your dress is just dreamy, and these photos are wonderful!
Gorgeous pics! You’re a beautiful bride! I’m still really curious about which shoes you ended up picking though!
Mrs. Mink, Charlottesville, Virginia Age and Occupation: 34, College Administrator Fiance's Age and Occupation: 40, Craft Beer Consultant Engagement Date: November 26, 2010 Wedding Date: June 2012 Venue: Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards About Me: I left a pre-war brownstone in Boston six years ago to live in a funky, Southern city where Thomas Jefferson, Dave Matthews, and urban chicken keepers enjoy equal social standing. I still love my Patriots and Red Sox, but have fallen in love with Virginia. I work in education and specialize in integrating technology into my work to improve the student experience. I’m a diehard blogger, animal lover, jamband follower, and DIYer. I paint to relax and have transferred by energy from home projects to wedding projects in recent months. When Mr. Mink and I started talking about marriage, we knew our wedding would be outdoors, that my golden retriever would be part of the day, and that the music would be fantastic. We’ve taken a few risks during our planning process and we’ve been enjoying the process immensely!
Latest Gallery Pics