You Know You're a Virginia Bride or Groom When...

There really is nothing else like a Virginia wedding. From Chesapeake Bay crab-inspired cocktail hours to Charlottesville honeymoon winery getaways to sandy-toed vows exchanged at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, we like to think we have something really special here in the Dominion State. And while I hail from and mostly represent southeastern Virginia (America’s First Region!), we take our home state pride pretty seriously around here, especially when it comes to our big days. “Virginia is for Lovers” is not just a clever nickname for nothing; weddings and Virginia were just meant to be!


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So my fellow Virginians, this one is for you! With the help of some of the best wedding professionals around, you know you’re a Virginia bride or groom when…

… You live in Virginia Beach and have to leave the day before your Williamsburg wedding because you never know what traffic you're going to face at the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel. ‪#‎truestory‬

… A road trip to IKEA Woodbridge is a definitely legit bachelorette party with your bridal party.

… You get married on a former president's farm/birthplace, the first Capitol, or the first settlement.

… You have a BBQ wedding reception, and it's only minutes before the Great BBQ Debate: Carolina Style vs. Sauced. - Sarah of Make It Posh Events

… Peanuts in the shell are a totally acceptable wedding favor for your guests. - Tyler of The Girl Tyler

… You have to explain to your Massachusetts friends what a bridal portrait is and why it’s not a need, but a legacy.


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… You don't have to leave your home state to have a destination wedding. From the mountains, to the wineries, to the oceans, white with foam! - Alison of Montero’s Restaurant

… The question isn't "Did I monogram too much?" but "Have I monogrammed enough?"


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… Red velvet cake is an actual contender for your wedding cake flavor.

… At least one of the structures you are inhabiting during wedding weekend was designed by Thomas Jefferson. - Meghan of OFD Consulting

… You are determined to get your photo taken with a Virginia LOVE sign on your wedding day. Because obviously.


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… Corn hole is the staple game at your wedding reception. - Jill of Sunkissed Events

… Your calligrapher asks you if you need labels to differentiate the sweet tea from unsweetened, and you choose to not to dignify that question with an answer.

… A hurricane doesn't spoil the wedding day fun! - Dani of Dani White Photography

… Identifying as a Hokie or a Hoo couple is a serious debate during the wedding planning process.

… You are willing to fight thousands of tourists and hours of traffic just to get some pictures with those DC cherry blossoms! - Maria of Maria Grace Photography

… Digging up the bourbon on the wedding day is very much an event within an event.


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… You get married at the beach and an Orange Crush is your signature cocktail. - Ruth of Raise the Ruth Events

… You may have relocated halfway across the country, but it was never any question that you would come back home to Ole Virginny to say I Do.

We'd love to hear your own state pride! What makes you a Virginia bride or groom?

Photography [from first to last]: Sachel Samone Photography, Christina Forbes Photography, Rebecca Keeling Studios, Melissa Arlena Photography, and Alexis Jones Photography.