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.
The Engagement
Downtown Leesburg
"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."
The Rehearsal
Dinner - Pizzas, Mini Crab Cakes | Ice-Cream Bar
Wedding Attire: Global Bridal Gallery in Alexandria, VA
Wedding Attire: Suit Supply in Georgetown
Bridesmaids: Azazie | Groomsmen: Personal attire
The Ceremony
Processional Music - Melissa: "Celeste" | Eric: "Sunchyme"
"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."
The Ceremony
Dinner: Ratatouille, Petit Filet, Lemon Herb Chicken with Vegetable Medley and Potato au Gratin | Donuts and Ice-Cream Sundae
"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."
Carrot Cake with French Vanilla Buttercream
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.
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