If you've been with us since the very beginning, then you'll know that I launched Tidewater and Tulle with the quintessential Hampton Roads wedding, and it was and still is simply magical, bridal pretty, and oh so romantic! Since 2013, those beautiful images continue to pop up on Pinterest, inspiration roundups, media sites, and our own marketing materials... and it makes our hearts happy.

But I also knew it was time to bring more diversity to Tidewater and Tulle's visual messaging since we kinda need to practice what we preach! After all, there are many different kinds of quintessential Hampton Roads weddings around here. Thanks to Jill of Sunkissed Events, I was introduced to a new chic restaurant/event venue, The Butcher's Son in Chesapeake. When I walked in for what was supposed to just be a tasting, the "Ah! Coastal masculine! This is the place!" inspiration struck. Thankfully, Jill read my mind, had already been envisioning the same, and then immediately started to expertly design Tidewater and Tulle's latest brand-inspired photo shoot with an incredible creative team (most of which are well-loved vendor fam!).

Influenced by contemporary classic coastal colors, The Girl Tyler captured another unique quintessential Hampton Roads wedding. One with copper metallics, asymmetrical florals by Leslie Hartig Floral Design, a "mixing of the bourbon" ceremony unity ritual (our modern twist on a Southern tradition!), moody ocean-brushed invitations with elegant calligraphy by Eliza Gwendalyn, custom masculine wedding rings designed specifically with grooms in mind from Berlinger, pattern-complementary tailored suits from Dan Ryan's for Men, and the ongoing trend of smaller weddings in unconventional places. And of course, none of this could have come to life without our two dapper gents and their genuine laughs and good vibes. It is everything that we love about a wedding day!

Cade and Diana's story begins on their first day aboard the USS Gonzalez when they met as officers in the Navy. Since the Navy and Virginia Beach were the catalysts that brought these two together, they knew that they wanted a local wedding at the Founders Inn. As with all military love stories that are full of ups and downs, Diana even found herself out to sea until just seven days before the wedding! Yet everything was arranged beautifully for when she came back, from her gorgeous mermaid bridal gown to the elegant touches that echoed her Mexican heritage.

Captured by Karyn Johnson Photography, we love that they wove classic wedding details such as a cascade bouquet with stargazing lilies along with the families' rich Catholic history in shades of fuchsia, silver, and black. In front of their closest loved ones, the bride and groom exchanged vows with Mexican wedding traditions in mind such as the Wedding Lasso and the Arras (or "13 coins"). Ending with a romantic last dance and a fun modern glow stick parade, Cade and Diana's day paid homage to their careers, family, and their future together.