When we work with our Hive Tribe couples we always tell them, "do what makes the day feel like 'you' and fill it with things that excite you." L&M did that for their perfectly German medieval wedding feast. On a day that was full of details, even with the rain, the personal touches were one-of-a-kind and an absolute labor of love. L&M was one of SBD's monthly check-in couples and we had so much fun chatting with them, working through each planning step, checking things off their to-do list, and creating fun elements for their day. Occasionally their pup, Sophie, would make an appearance (yes, their dog is named Sophie, too)!
Read on to see all of the amazing details L&M incorporated into their special, one-of-a-kind day.
SBD loves the "break from the traditional," kind of vibe. "You do you." As we worked together to figure out their vibe it was clear, that they wanted to embrace their favorite place to celebrate (the Bavarian Inn) and wear red, Mr. Vader and Mr. Fett had to be there, and the remaining details were left to explore! SBD took this as a challenge (admittedly, Sarah isn't educated in all things Star Wars...don't kill her). But Sarah knew exactly who needed to be on their vendor team to make the "pretty things" perfect. L&M shared inspirational photos with Medieval flair, fall colors, elements of wood and gold, and, of course, castles, dragons, and Star Wars.
After over a year of planning, their ceremony was supposed to take place on a beautiful patio overlooking the river. Just a few days before the wedding SBD looked at the forecast and went, "Well, this rain is happening." We sprung into action, calling our favorites over at Jefferson Rentals. We nabbed two tents and had them set up just 24 hours later (thank you, Jefferson Rentals for being absolute professionals and the kindest ever). We set up a beautiful aisle lined with pumpkins hand-selected by Sarah, and at the end was an APM Weddings Arch (but of course), and beautiful florals from Form & Fire Design.
The reception space featured long tables decorated with alternating candles of all shapes and sizes, lush greens and flowers, and different kinds of fruit (including pomegranates that were ridiculously large). The SBD team worked closely with the Bavarian Inn team to make sure the tabletop decor and details were picture-perfect. L&M wanted guests to feel a sense of coziness but make them feel they were transported to a different place. It took over 4 hours for Sarah, her assistant, and The Bavarian Inn team to lay out all of the greenery, flowers, fruits, small details, and tableware. RIP to Sarah's Rothy's.
Darth Vader and Boba Fett walked down the aisle, escorting our bride and groom. Even in the rain, the guests were surprised and excited to see something so different. After the ceremony guests were welcomed inside for warm appetizers and cocktails. An interesting fact, in a past job, Sarah helped the design team that renovated the Bavarian Inn's brew-pup as the operations manager of the design firm/store. So it was a blast from the past seeing all of the fixtures and furniture that were still there after the 10ish years since the design was finished.
Dinner was delicious plated meals of sausages, sauerkraut, spaetzle, sauerbraten, salmon, and schweinebraten with guests gathered around long family tables lit by warm candlelight. They were dazzled by a surprise upbeat dance performed by the bride and groom which included a wardrobe quick change and epic footwork. But that was just one of two performed by the bride and groom!
The end of the night was completed by rainy-sky photos, pretzels and beer cheese late-night-bites, and lots and lots of dancing. Family traveled from far away for this amazing celebration and they were not going to miss one song. No way!
But we know, you want to hear about the details, well - here's a list!
Custom beer steins with L&M's monogram
Custom place cards for the delicious German-inspired dinner
QR codes for a behind-the-scenes gallery upload
"Thank you" coasters
Star Wars-themed Droid, ring bear pillow, and flower girl basket
Hand-turned candlesticks (also from no one other than APM Weddings)
CUSTOM red suit and matching shoes
CUSTOM red dress that became magically reception-ready with a removable skirt, with matching shoes, of course
A surprise first dance (literally it was the BEST kept secret) fully choreographed by Fred Astaire Frederick
A KILLER cake from no one other than Sage Cakery - see the pics, really, it's jaw-dropping with a custom-made cake topper and fire-breathing dragon
Darth Vader and Boba Fett actors (who walked our bride and groom down the aisle, of course)
Beautiful fall-themed blooms with all of the dahlias, moody greenery, and mums you could ever ask for
It's couples like this that make SBD's job an adventure. We got to design so many things with L&M, customize the day down to the napkin color and place cards, and be there for all of the fun decisions. Hours were spent thinking about the smallest details and making sure L&M were happy bees along the way. Nothing is as special as helping a couple with these design choices, taking the stress away, and exposing the couple to things they had never pictured before.
Thank you, L&M, for the best adventure, and a wonderful day!
"May the Force be with you."
The beautiful vendor team:
Venue and Catering: @bavarianinnwv | Bavarian Inn Resort & Brewing Company
Planning, Design, and Coordination: @sleepingbeedesigns | Sleeping Bee Designs
Florist: @formandfiredesign | Form & Fire
Cake Designer: @sagecakery | Sage Cakery
Photographer: @heather_rob_weddingphotography | Heather & Rob Wedding Photography
DJ: @districtremix | District Remix
Custom Dress Designer: @fashionirinabridal |Irina Ciobanu
Lighting: @nitelifedj4u | Nitelife DJ
Specialty Rentals: @apmweddingsdmv | APMweddings
Star Wars Actors: @stupendouseventsllc
Linens: @choicepartylinensinc | Choice Party Linens, Inc.
Chair and tent rental: @jefferson_rentals | Jefferson Rentals
