The Barn at WillowBrook | Lieb Photographic | Micro Wedding | Chelsea and Mike
Jul 13, 2020
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Chelsea and Mike recently chose to turn lemons into lemonade when they had to postpone their Big Day due to COVID related reasons. Jessica of Jessica Ashley Events and I were already planning a styled session at the Barn at Willowbrook. So we decided to go ahead and ask Chelsea and Mike if they’d like to model as well as tie the knot in a micro wedding at The Barn at Willowbrook. They agreed that this was the perfect solution for them! They will still host their Big Day at their original venue next year.
Our intention as a creative team was to create an authentic experience for the modern couple while bringing in local artists and vendors to curate what feels like an Anthropologie meets Etsy vibe. Jessica led the way, organizing this incredible team of wedding professionals who designed the amazing day, including this gorgeous invitation suite from Curious Fox Press.
Jessica wanted to design something that felt warm and inviting, making interior design the focus of their wedding outdoors. With fewer guests, many couples like Chelsea and Mike are going to have tremendous wiggle with their budgets and may choose to splurge on more artisanal items and vintage furniture pieces. So Jessica chose some incredible items from Bella Villa Vintage rentals of Marshall, VA. The wicker bar with custom wire art from Jason Alexander personalized the white wooden bar front, breaking up the white space and making a statement. The colorful vintage glassware added a funky and eclectic look while drawing your eye around the outdoor lounge space.
We incorporated handmade pottery from Erika Millholland Ceramics which were used for the table settings and guest favor mugs. The flowers and décor from J Morris Flowers of Leesburg, VA, added a soft look with the modern touches of pampas grass, a popular trend this year. The color palette was influenced by the colors of daybreak, a soft, serene mix of blues, greens, peaches and pinks, softly accented with raw wood, rose quartz, brass, and matte black.
The tablescape inside the reception space incorporated different textures and layers for variation and composition in the design. Our goal was to bring cohesion to the design but not monotony, by incorporating similar elements throughout the spaces while keeping each space its own unique feel.
From the bar and lounge to the tablescapes and ceremony space you’ll notice the details bring everything together; the wire art table numbers, variation in use of color palette, and many different uses of texture including Himalayan pink crystal salt and greenery bring visual harmony to the design.
The main reception tables offered four chairs so couples could enjoy their dinner while safely keeping their distance. A unique glass sweetheart table for the couple, complete with vintage seafoam green chairs, rose quartz napkin rings, and wire art flowers offered the couple an inviting space to social distance. A beautiful white two-tier ruffled cake from Cakes by Marium was the sweet touch that concluded the evening, matched with a glass of rosé, of course!
Chelsea prepared for the day inside of the house at Willowbrook. She was lovely in this modern, sleek gown from Revolve. Mike prepared as well on the lower level. He donned a non-traditional floral pocket square as an alternative to the traditional boutonnière.
They shared a very sweet First Look by the barn!
After the first look, they posed for some portraits before exploring the inside of the barn together.
They graced the space beautifully together!
They even danced to the song that was meant to be their first dance at their originally planned Big Day!
So let me back up and tell you how these two first met. Chelsea and Mike met just under 4.5 years ago at a mutual friends birthday party. They were introduced, but the intention was not to set them up. However, there was an instant connection, that consisted of Mike eating Chelsea’s pizza and making a dinner reservation for the two of them for the upcoming week without giving her the chance to say no.
As their relationship developed in that first year they knew it was different, there was something special they had. After a few years together, Mike surprised Chelsea at work and they drove off to Charlottesville for a romantic weekend. He popped the question that Saturday, and she said yes!
So today really was the perfect time for them to tie the knot. They exchanged vows outside the barn officiated by the grooms father, in front of their closest friends and family with a gorgeous ceremony backdrop.
The evening finalized with gorgeous adventurous golden hour shots of the couple around the beautiful Barn at Willowbrook Leesburg venue, whose landscape offers surprise photo opportunities you wouldn’t want to miss!
I’m so excited for these two! I love how they took advantage of a great opportunity and are finally Mr. and Mrs.!
Keep scrolling to see more highlights from their incredible day! And thank you to these wonderful wedding professionals for all of their hard work!
Design and Planning: Jessica Ashley Events | Venue: The Barn at Willowbrook | Vintage Rentals: Bella Villa Vintage Rentals | Florals and Decor: J Morris Flowers | Cake: Cakes by Marium | Hair and Makeup: Agape Hair and Make Up | Stationery: Curious Fox Press | Handmade Ceramics: Erika Millholland Ceramics | Wire Art: Created by Jason | Wedding Gown: Revolve
Michelle with Lieb Photographic is a Northern Virginia Wedding Photographer and a, Charlottesville Wedding Photographer and Photographs destinations worldwide. To see more weddings and engagement sessions in the Leesburg area, view the Leesburg Wedding Venues page. If you’d like. to explore some of my favorite wedding venues in the Virginia and Washington D.C. areas, view the Wedding Venues page.
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Love the string lights around the yard!!
Love the mismatched glasses and the rings displayed in those blush pink rocks. So pretty and elegant!