Nate & Claire: An Aviation Themed Garden Wedding | Sunnybrook Roanoke Virginia
Military Wedding | Garden Wedding | Sunnybrook | Airplane Exit
6.17.2023 — The perfect day for the perfect couple!
When I look back at the day as a whole, Nate & Claire had the wedding of my dreams, no joke! They were encompassed by different shades of blue, white and green, there were flowers galore, the weather was perfect and their ceremony was faithful. From start to finish, their garden wedding at Sunnybrook was one I will certainly will never forget and I guarantee others won’t either!
The details were gorgeous, but one thing that still resinates with me still is the loving presence of her Dad. The moment I remember jumping out of photographer mode and going into “daughter” mode was during their ceremony when their officiant Steve pulled out her Dad’s bible. Tattered and torn, well used and well loved. It reminded me of my Dad’s. It was noticeable how much her Dad loved God and that while he wasn’t there in person, he was DEFINITELY there in spirit. In pictures, through his bible, incorporated in toasts, he was there.
Both being pilots in the Air Force, aviation is a big part of their life so it was only fitting it be a big part of their military wedding! From their invitation suite, their seating chart, his uniform and more, it could not have come together more perfectly! Claire got ready at The Stone House at Black Dog Salvage, in the prettiest yet lightest dress ever with a see through bodice and lace appliqué matching the overall garden wedding theme while Nate got ready at Sunnybrook in his United States Air Force Uniform, making him the sharpest man in the crowd! Their bridal party was a group mix matched dresses and suits, full of fun and their florals still have me dreaming. I mean seriously… that king table and those chandeliers?! Literally the prettiest florals ever and you can’t tell me otherwise. They had a puzzle for guests to work on during cocktail hour, a cute little picture taking area for guests with a neon sign of their last name and a polaroid station for their guest book. I could go on and on about how wonderful their wedding was but like all wedding days, it had to come to and end. This is where their wedding really stood out from the rest and was a core memory they will never forget!
Yes, they are both pilots in the Air Force but fun fact, they had never flown TOGETHER! That's right, they had flown separately but not together so what better day to do it than on their wedding night? How does that work you might wonder? After all of the festivities of their military wedding were over (dinner, cake cutting and dancing) they shuttled everyone to the airport, the two of them did their walk through, hoped in and took off in their airplane exit! It truly was the best day ever.
Venue & Catering: Sunnybrook Venue
Getting Ready Venue: The Stone House with Black Dog Salvage
Planner: Chelsea and her team with One Fine Day Events
Photographer: Anna and Janine with Anna Bowser Photography
Videographer: Brandi & Molly with Iron & Ivy Films
Florals: Kimberly and her team with Florals by Kimberly
DJ: Tyrone with A Party's Favorite Entertainment
Invitation Suite: Sara with Sara Lane Design
Officiant: Steve Grey
Makeup & Hair: Heather and her team with Elegance Artistry
Dress Shop: Something New Boutique
Uniforms: United States Air Force
Suits: Michael Kors
Plane Rental: Signature Flight Support
Flight Support: Star Flight Training
I don’t know if you thought I was joking but I wasn’t! They had the majority of their guests line up outside of the airstrip with sparklers and then only a small amount of family was allowed around the plane for the bubble exit before their final exit! The AIRPLANE EXIT!
