Zion Springs Real Wedding bride and groom standing in walnut grove

Melissa and Eric’s Summer Wedding

By Terry Meadows




Eric has worn many hats in Mel's life, from ice skating tutor to culinary guinea pig, since their serendipitous meeting at a friend's party. Their early dates were filled with Korean BBQ feasts, lively karaoke, and culinary misadventures. Amid assembling an array of IKEA furniture, their bond only grew stronger.

Now, they savor exploring new cafes, evenings at Ballston Quarter, and strolls through Old Town Alexandria. Nature hikes, tacos, concerts, and spur-of-the-moment trips enrich their lives. The Wharf in DC, where their paths first crossed, recently became the backdrop for Eric's heartfelt proposal to Mel, symbolizing the beginning of their next chapter together.

wedding save-the-date, invitation, veil arrangement

The Engagement

Downtown Leesburg

couple kissing with soft background lights in downtown scene

"We loved the peaceful, beautiful property from the minute we got out of the car. Between the main house with multiple cozy rooms for our large wedding party, to the ceremony patio and pergola, the reception barn, the entire venue felt like getting married at a family member's home. All of our guests, many of whom traveled out of state, felt the welcoming atmosphere all weekend long."

Zion Springs closeup of the cupula on top of the barn

The Rehearsal

Dinner  -  Pizzas, Mini Crab Cakes | Ice-Cream Bar

south terrace patio rehearsal reception at zion springs
Zion Springs mini crab cakes on slate platter
guests playing cornhole on grounds of zion springszion springs bride walking in field with bouquet

Wedding Attire: Global Bridal Gallery in Alexandria, VA

bride's bouquet with pastel flowersgroom standing by weeping willow

Wedding Attire: Suit Supply in Georgetown

bride and groom with wedding party celebrating in lawn setting

Bridesmaids: Azazie  |  Groomsmen: Personal attire



The Ceremony

Processional Music  -  Melissa: "Celeste"  | Eric: "Sunchyme"

groom walking down the aisle at Zion Springs rustic barnbride processional with mother and fatherbride and groom under flower laden pergola

"Having our best friends and wedding party be able to stay onsite with us was extremely special to us! We had so much fun all weekend long. And with such an expansive property, there were so many great places to hang out, from the barn to the patio, the lawn where we played cornhole , there are an endless number of opportunities to impress our guests."

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The Ceremony

Dinner:  Ratatouille, Petit Filet, Lemon Herb Chicken with Vegetable Medley and Potato au Gratin  |  Donuts and Ice-Cream Sundae

zion springs rustic barn table setting for reception banquetwedding seating chart on mirror standbride and groom dancing in rustic barn
First Dance:  "Love You for a Long Time"
signature drinks for wedding

"We could tell immediately that there was an incredibly talented team in place to execute the perfect wedding. What we loved most was that Zion Springs was willing to customize our wedding to our exact tastes, and were very open-minded to our many ideas to pull off a ceremony and party that equally represented both of our cultures, ideas, and traditions."

Zion Springs white wedding cake with fresh flowers

Carrot Cake with French Vanilla Buttercream

wedding couple wearing traditional Indian dress celebrating with smoke machineImage

What advice would you give to other wedding couples?

"Focus on what is important to you and how you want your day to be remembered. Don't be afraid to come to the table with your own ideas. Zion Springs will make it happen! We cannot begin to thank the entire team for listening to us, and prioritizing how we wanted to remember our special day. Because of that, we had a wedding beyond our wildest dreams!"

Zion Springs: Crafting Your Ultimate Wedding Fantasy

Eager to explore a treasure trove of magical wedding stories? Venture into our Real Weddings section on the Answers and Advice page. Step into a world where Zion Springs has played the perfect host to a tapestry of unique and touching matrimonial celebrations.

Zion Springs stands as your comprehensive sanctuary for wedding festivities, dedicated to streamlining your planning endeavors and spotlighting the joyous occasions. With a meticulously assembled anthology of guides, we're here to support you through each phase of your matrimonial voyage, ensuring your celebration is not just memorable, but the zenith of your love story.


All photos in this article are courtesy of Zion Springs' in-house photographer.