Winter Vineyard Wedding: Nicolette + Jesse

bride and groom

I absolutely love the cozy + romantic feeling of Nicolette + Jesse’s intimate winter wedding! There were tons of thoughtful, personal touches that made this celebration truly special — Nicolette wore her mother’s wedding dress; her wedding ring was passed down from her grandmother; friends + family lent their talents to the couple to make the day one of a kind. And with so many gorgeous wintertime details, like the clusters of warm candlelight and beautiful garland decorating the reception tables, this wedding is sure to inspire all of you lovely couples who are planning a winter wedding! More from Nicolette about her + Jesse’s sweet story:

Jesse and I met in college. He was going to school in Montana and came to Charlottesville to visit his dad during winter break. We met at the grill where I was working as a waitress at the time. A month after we met he wrote me a letter – the first of many to be exchanged before we finally had our first date. In 2011, after five years of dating, we decided to move to Chiang Mai, Thailand together. One hot, lazy evening in February, he proposed to me and was so nervous he forgot to actually ask the question. When asked why I wasn’t saying anything, I replied “You haven’t asked me anything…” To which he proposed, and I accepted. The next morning we walked down to the Walking Market and picked out a darling marcasite engagement ring. A year later to the day, we had an intimate winter wedding at Early Mountain Vineyards. At the end of the night, we sent rice paper wish lanterns into the sky, one of our favorite Thai traditions.

Thank you so much to A Muse Photography for the lovely images + congrats to Nicolette + Jesse!

sparkle shoes

flowers

winter vineyard bride

first look

winter vineyard bride and groom

winter vineyard bride and groom

winter vineyard bride and groom

winter vineyard bride and groom

winter vineyard bride and groom

winter vineyard bridesmaids

bride


A dear friend of Jesse’s, Diedre Carpenter, handmade all of the ties for the groom and groomsmen, and surprised Jesse by stitching a Bird + Turtle on the inside of his tie (our affectionate nick-names for each other).

winter vineyard groomsmen

winter vineyard wedding party

winter vineyard wedding party

ceremony ribbons

Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding

My brother composed a piece on the piano for the processional, then recorded it in studio to be played at the ceremony. I grew up with him playing the piano and making up songs rather than practicing the ones in front of him. He knows my favorites, and I asked if he would compose a song for me as a wedding gift. I didn't hear it until the day of the wedding, and still today when I listen to the piece, warmth and joy wells up in me and I remember everything about where I was - the smiling faces of our friends and family, the fireplace and candlelight glowing, walking next to my father, and seeing my future husband at the end of the aisle.

ceremony

ceremony

winter vineyard bride and groom

winter vineyard reception


My mother went antique shopping in the months leading up to our wedding, and hand-picked each china plate and tea cup. She also surprised me with hand-made cloth dinner napkins, with J+N embroidered in the corner, made by a few ladies at her church!

winter vineyard reception

wine cork name holders

winter vineyard reception

raspberry cake

first dance

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

Let those that offer to help, do so! And surround yourself with those you love and trust.

photography: Rachel Couch at A Muse Photography // venue name: Early Mountain Vineyards, Madison, Virginia // wedding dress: Mom's Vintage Gunnysax from the 80's and tailored // hairpiece: Jenn Pineau at Sugar Magnolias // bridesmaid dresses: Alfred Angelo // hair stylist: Sarah Coffey Tompkins // catering: Paul Deigl at Real Food // music: Tony & Stephanie Muzzin at NorCal ProSound // ring: Passed down from Grandma, to Mom, to me // dessert: Paul Deigl at Real Food // floral design: Jenn Pineau at Sugar Magnolias // decor: Jenn Pineau at Sugar Magnolias // cocktail hour musicians: Beleza Brasil // guest lodging: Lydia Mountain Lodge // rehearsal dinner: Lydia Mountain Lodge // rehearsal dinner caterong: Ace Biscuit & BBQ // rehearsal music: LG & the Porch Cats

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