A Whimsical Barn Wedding at Great Marsh Estate in Bealeton, VA %

On a beautiful spring day and May, Juli and Tony wed in a whimsical barn wedding at Great Marsh Estate in Fauquier County, VA. Rain drizzled over the couple, but that didn’t stop them from having the time of their lives!

Juli & Tony’s Love Story

How they Met

The lovebirds met through work. Juli was working at a retail location for Total Wine & More. Tony was a beer distributor who supplied the store. “We had seen each other and exchanged small talk for well over a year before we really began our courtship,” says Juli.

“Tony was very friendly, but professional,” says Juli, “but I admired his work ethic and humor, and found him very attractive. I assumed he was taken. Apparently, he assumed the same about me. One day, after a few months of banter, he mentioned frustrations with his current employer and not being afforded the opportunities to enjoy a social life. That struck me as someone who was single and got me thinking… I began making similar comments about being overworked, and not being able to enjoy the gorgeous city that was Austin, Texas. I even went as far as to mention several of his company’s breweries in town that I had not yet visited. Tony is a smart man, he picked up what I was laying down. By the end of that conversation he had his card ready. He flipped his business card through his fingers and handed to me. ‘Give me a call sometime and I’d love to take you to some of the local breweries!’ It was the cutest-corniest, most movie-like line ever and I LOVED it.”

How they Fell in Love

Once the couple started talking, neither could stop. “He lived up to his promise; he showed me much more of Austin than I had ever seen in my two years of living there,” says Juli. The longer the pair were together, the more they comfortable with one another. “I remember that it felt so strange to think we’d wasted those first couple years of being work-acquaintances and not dating!”

Says Juli of the the way their love has grown: “I still look back at those first few weeks of dating and smile, but now we have something even better than I could’ve ever dreamed of.”

What they Love Most About Each Other

When asked what they love most about each other:

“She always knows how to make me laugh… and she’s an amazing cook,” says Toni.

“Tony is an incredibly hard worker,” says Juli. “It’s the first thing that attracted me to him.”

When Opposites Attract

He loves Rasinets; she prefers KitKats. She prefers Asian cuisine; he likes seafood. He’s a die hard fan of the Miami Dolphins and Texas Rangers; she could care less about sports. Her ideal date is going out; his is staying in. He likes ZZTop and Black Sabbath; she prefers Zac Brown Band and Mumford & Sons. She’s smart and sassy; he’s strong and caring. This couple could not be more different, but the things they share are the things that truly matter.

“We’re very different people,” says Juli, “but our differences are compatible. It’s easy to connect on just about anything.”

Whimsical Barn Wedding Details

A Bright and Bubbly Color Palette

Soft, calming hues of powder sky, desert blue, and navy paired beautifully with bright pops of coral, lush greenery, and white blooms to create a bright and bubbly color palette perfect for a spring wedding at Great Marsh Estate in Bealeton, VA.

Flowers Fit for a Whimsical Barn Wedding

Juli and Tony’s flowers in shades of peach, coral, and white, really helped to infuse the wedding with plenty of bright, bubbly color – a perfect palette for a springtime wedding! Paired with lush greenery and set against calming shades of blue, this color palette doesn’t seem to take itself too seriously.

The Girls Get Ready for a Whimsical Barn Wedding

When we chatted about what Juli and Tony wanted for their wedding photographer, Juli made sure to emphasize that the getting ready portion was a priority for her. She wanted to hold onto the moment she spent with her nearest friends before saying “I do,” and becoming Mrs. Bruno!

The girls enjoyed hanging out in their coordinating pajamas before they climbed into stunning floor length chiffon gowns in shades of blue.

A First Look with the Bridal Party

For any couple who doesn’t wish to have a first look with each other before walking down the aisle, I always recommend a first look with the wedding party or a parent. While Juli and Tony would share a first look later, Juli still wanted to document her bridesmaid’s reactions to seeing her for the first time!

The look of pure joy on their faces was well worth it!

The Dress

Juli’s wedding dress was absolutely jaw dropping. A sweetheart neckline and ballgown silhouette suited her figure perfectly. Floral appliqués added an element of whimsy to an otherwise elegant ensemble.

The Guys Get Ready for A Whimsical Barn Wedding

As is the norm, the guys had a blast chatting and imbibing a bit before the whimsical wedding ceremony began.

The First Look

When Juli mentioned how much she loved the gorgeous spiral staircase on the premises at Great Marsh Estate, I knew we’d get some gorgeous shots. But, wow these are breathtaking!

We went immediately from the staircase to Juli and Tony’s first look. The moment Toni saw Juli was so sweet. He couldn’t stop grinning!

A Whimsical Barn Wedding Ceremony

125 guests looked on as Juli and Toni tied the knot in front of a giant pair of barn doors. The chandeliers overhead were draped in relaxed vines, glistening softly over the guests as they said “I do,” adding an element of romance to the otherwise bubbly, bright, and whimsical barn wedding.

A Whimsical Barn Wedding Reception

Place Settings & Centerpieces for a Whimsical Barn Wedding Reception

The rustic reception backdrop was converted to an enchanting whimsical scene. Twinkle lights bedecked the bare wood beams, casting a creamsicle glow on the guests seated below in a mixture of long farmhouse tables and traditional rounds.

Lush greenery, peppered with peach and coral blooms, ran the length of the farmhouse tables. Each place setting was set with a silver charger, knotted coral napkin, and printed menu. The couple chose to give their guest candle favors.

The Catering

A seated dinner was served, including an elegant salad and scrumptious shrimp shooters. Then food was almost too pretty to eat!

A Whimsical Wedding Cake

A three tiered ruffled wedding cake adorned with asymmetrical clusters of peach roses, coral roses, and lush greenery was the perfect option for Juli & Toni’s whimsical barn wedding.