ANNE & JON: An Airlie Wedding

It is with great joy that I present to you…Anne and Jon and their incredible Airlie wedding in Warrenton, Virginia!

This has been a great day in the making!  I have loved getting to know these two…as Anne’s maid of honor was clear to point out, Anne really does care for others, goes out of her way to make people feel comfortable and loved…and she is a wonderful mother.  I can agree to this.  Anne has always been such a joy to talk to from the first time I met her.  She was so happy to find me and just couldn’t say enough about what a great match we were for her wedding day.  She was even a trooper and wanted to go ahead with her engagement session in the rain…which turned out to be pretty epic!  And as for her mothering, well, just look at these sweet girls!!!  Seriously, we are even planning on taking our kiddos to a breakfast with Santa together this year.    

Anne’s girls were certainly excited about the big day.  Her littlest just had the sweetest expression watching her mom get into her dress and then after the ceremony, she cried and hugged Jon with everything she had in her!  Anne and Jon also had special necklaces for the girls that they gave to them during the ceremony.  The entire day was about their family, not just the two of them.  Every family member was an absolute joy to work with and I couldn’t have felt more welcome myself!

Jon and Anne began their day giving each other gifts before seeing one another and Jon’s genuine pearl necklace, earrings and bracelet he gave to Anne held special meaning, according to his letter…I can’t wait to find out what it is but he said even she has to wait until the honeymoon to find out!  Not only did Anne have a gift for Jon, but the girls wrote some sweet cards as well.  Every detail of the day was so thoughtful and well planned!

Anne and Jon shared a first look in the Butterfly Garden, one of my favorite places at Airlie.  Jon could not hide his happiness at seeing Anne for the first time on their wedding day.  It was such a delightful moment between the two, and not without some laughter as well.  I tried to keep them in the shade as much as possible for portraits together because it was a hot and humid day…but honestly, it didn’t feel too hot because Airlie has a lot of shade covering and a lot of bottled water!  We had a lot of fun walking the grounds and Anne and Jon had time to stroll, converse, cuddle, hug and smooch.

The ceremony was just as meaningful as could be with Anne’s father playing guitar, a family pianist and Anne’s aunt singing.  Involving the girls was so important for these two and the girls were wonderful with their roles!  Anne and Jon also had an incredibly attentive, fun and helpful bridal party.  And their joy continued into the reception…all on a day that was forecasted for rain. But it was sunshine right up until halfway through the reception when everyone was already inside enjoying the band, the food and the company…and of course the champaign flavored cake from Gateau. 

I always love the toasts because I get such a great chance to learn more about the couple.  Colette, Jen and Freddie did NOT disappoint.  Again, the theme was family and friends, some crazy shenanigans and how wonderful these two are together, even eluding to how they met and fell in love. 

So how did they meet?  As told by Anne:

“While at my cousin Nick’s house in Virginia, I was introduced to his next door neighbor. His name was Jon. It was July 5th 2015, and my daughters and I had spent all day at the pool. I thought he was very attractive, but seeing as I wasn’t very ‘put together’ after being in the pool all day and had my two girls with me, I thought there would be absolutely no chance of anything happening. And yet, I felt completely comfortable around him, and told him things I would never say if I was trying to impress a potential date. Like I said, messy hair, no makeup, kids with me…I literally thought I didn’t stand a chance. He was so laid back and funny and was being playful with my girls. He even let them chase him and throw water on him, so they were pretty smitten off the bat as well. 

The down side? His house was on the market and he was planning on moving to Denver, Colorado. Over the next two weeks we would see each other when I would go to my cousins house. We ended up exchanging numbers and becoming friends on Facebook. July 12, 2015 we had our first date at Old Ox Brewery. July 18, 2015 we had our second date at a Washington Nationals game. September 2015, he took his house OFF the market!!! In October 2015 we started spending time with the girls so they could have a relationship with Jon. They quickly became attached. He is so sweet with them and they absolutely adore him!

Then on Friday December 9, 2016, we were decorating a Christmas tree that we had selected and cut down together. As I reached over to get a Christmas ornament from Jon, he was down on one knee, holding a clear ornament with a diamond ring inside. His proposal was so romantic and sweet, I didn’t even see it coming! It took me completely by surprise. I then found out that Jon had taken my parents out to a nice dinner and had asked for their blessing a few weeks prior!”

I love your sweet story! Thank you Anne, Jon, your family and friends for the honor of photographing your big day!  I could be happier to have served you in this way! Cheers to the Emersons!

Scroll to the bottom to see the amazing wedding professionals who helped make Anne and Jon’s day so very special!

Venue: Airlie

Planning: White Pumkin

Florals: Wegmans

Band: Green Eyed Lady

Wedding Gown: Essence of Australia from Ava Laurenne Bride

Veil: Ava Laurenne Bride

Rings: Blue Nile

Groom’s Attire: Jos. A. Bank

Groomsmen Attire: Alfani

Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal

Hair and Make Up: Rodi Salon and Spa

Cake: Gateau

Stationery: Minted

Pianist: Julie Tate

Caterer: Airlie

Michelle Lieb with Lieb Photographic is a Charlottesville Wedding Photographer, Culpeper Wedding Photographer, Fredericksburg Wedding Photographer, Alexandria Wedding Photographer, Washington DC Wedding Photographer, Phoenix Wedding Photographer, Williamsburg Wedding Photographer, Warrenton Wedding Photographer and a wedding photographer in the surrounding areas.