By Terry Meadows
Two Duke classmates, Gunter and Isabel, reconnected in Richmond and became lifelong friends. Gunter loved Isabel's blue coat, and she was intrigued by his skateboarding in suits. Despite bonding in class and club trips, they parted ways after graduation.
Isabel's Facebook post about moving to Richmond for school caught Gunter's eye. Already in Richmond, he asked when she'd arrive. Three months later, they had their first dinner together. A week after their first date, they became a couple. They played video games, wrote radio spots, and enjoyed Hibachi Box. After a year, they moved in together.
In their second year, Gunter converted his car into a camper, and they traveled, creating memories. Gunter proposed on Skyline Drive after a JMU game, revisiting their first meeting and date spots. Their car-camper is ready for future family adventures.
Isabel & Gunter End-Of-Night Video from Zion Springs on Vimeo.
The Engagement
Skyline Drive, Shenandoah
Rehearsal Dinner
Rigatoni and Meatballs, Pizza | Cannolis
"Besides the fact that the venue is stunning, what sold us was the promise we wouldn't have to lift a finger and the staff themselves. Knowing the staff works well together and only works at one venue assuaged a lot of our fears regarding coordinating and communicating cross-vendors."
"We wanted intimate and the setting delivered! The bed-and-breakfast feel and on-site accommodations allowed for us to spend the most time possible with our favorite people. The corn hole / can jam, Adirondack chairs, and big TV for the boys made Gunter's morning. And even though it rained at times on both Friday and Saturday, the staff wiped off and made accessible all of the fire pits and outdoor couches without us ever having to ask. And the ceremony site and barn speak for themselves -- stunning in every photo."
Wedding Attire: AndCollar
"The walnut grove was yet another part of what sold us on Zion Springs. It's so unique, looks good year-round, and allows for lots of fun poses with the whole wedding party. Also, Doug snagged us at sunset and took just Gunter and me to the top of the hill. Those turned out to be some of our most prized photos, with the barn twinkling brightly in the background, the sun setting a beautiful pink, and we could hear the soft chatter of all of our loved ones down at the start of the cocktail hour. It was a breathtaking moment that the photos will always remind us of."
Wedding Attire: Revelry and AndCollar
The Ceremony
"Can't Help Falling in Love" by Haley Reinhart
The Reception
Dinner:
"Guests told me a year later that they still think about the food from our wedding. We had short rib and chicken parm for dinner on Saturday, guests pleasantly surprised when they were served both rather than one or the other. We only had two vegetarian guests, and special meals were still made just for them. Gunter made one mention of cornbread in place of rolls and Oreo cupcakes for dessert, which were not items on the menu, but that didn't stop Chef from delivering both."
"While our friends complained to us about the stresses and time commitment it was taking to pull off their weddings, we often forgot we were in the middle of planning one too. Our check ins (both in-person and online) were appropriately spaced apart, allowing for tasks to get completed and decisions to be made without lots of "homework" on our part or decision fatigue. We trusted the staff knew what needed to happen when, and they sure did. "
Midnight Mint Cake with White Mint Frosting
What advice would you give to other wedding couples?
"Stop the looking and debating and number crunching and pick Zion Springs. You may feel like you can save a little money here or there by sourcing all of your own vendors and pulling it off by yourself, but we're not sure that's true. And we know for certain it won't be half as enjoyable or easy. Weddings are meant to be fun and the industry has made them so stressful and complicated. Uncomplicate it all by choosing Zion! It's worth it."
Zion Springs: The Perfect Setting for Your Dream Wedding
If you're excited to envision your perfect wedding, explore our Real Weddings stories on our Answers and Advice page. Discover the unique celebrations that have taken place at Zion Springs.
As an all-inclusive wedding venue, we simplify wedding planning so you can focus on celebrating your love. Our extensive articles guide you through every step, ensuring your special day is truly your "best day ever."
All photos in this article are courtesy of Zion Springs' in-house photographer.
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