Blake + Molly | Married

Blake and Molly’s festive Yuletide union served allllll the jolly-good feels for my final wedding of 2022! The Edwards’ love for Santa, holiday cheer, and classic Christmas movies became their entire wedding theme, and as many of you can probably already guess, I pulled up to the scene feeling like a kid on xmas morning. There’s not much I love more than a couple who goes all out for a holiday, and you already KNOW I was the most-excited to start snapping away at all those dreamy details. Molly and Blake’s theme certainly did not disappoint- every single square inch of those halls were decked to the nines, and yours truly was lucky enough to be there and capture it all.

Reminisce with me on my favorite photos and moments from their wedding, as well as details on how the couple met, how they got engaged, and the tea on which vendors they chose to hire!

Molly and Blake chose one of my all-time favorite wedding venues for their nuptials: Fairview Farm Events in Powhatan, Virginia. As you may already know, I’m a long-time preferred vendor on their list who gets referred out to couples often. I’m sure the farm owner, Debbie practically fell out of her seat with excitement when she landed this event, herself, as she is also a HUGE fan of the holiday. My aunt, Halona and I are in charge of decorating the farm for Christmas every year, so a little part of my heart knew I had earned this wedding with every ornament I had hung in weeks prior. With a long, demanding wedding season behind me- this wedding was the joyful gift I had anticipated all year- it truly felt like Christmas day.

When I met Blake and Molly, they instantly felt familiar. Like a couple of down-to-earth friends, their personalities meshed so well together and allowed for such an easy flow in conversation. Their wedding day was no different; both such easy-going and considerate individuals who were just truly happy to be there. Working with them was an absolute breeze, and making them look good took little-to-no effort at all. I must say, the only thing that could have made their holiday-themed event even better would have been Santa himself…. oh wait…. HE WAS THERE!

In the following interview, Molly gives us a deeper look into all things wedding related! I absolutely love going all out for the Holidays, and the Edward’s Yuletide affair definitely did not disappoint. Let’s dive into all the unique details that stand out about Blake and Molly’s wedding and relationship! It’s time to check out Molly’s interview answers!!

Question: First thing’s first, how did you and Blake meet?
Molly’s Answer:

We officially met through a mutual friend in 2018 when we were both living in Richmond after college, but we actually went to the same high school, Mills Godwin in Henrico, Virginia (go eagles!) We are 2 years apart, so we never crossed paths in high school. It’s funny to think about how we probably passed each other in the halls so unsuspecting that later down the road we would be getting married. We have a few friends now who knew us both in high school which is fun!

Question: Would you share a short story that encapsulates you and Blake as a couple?
Molly’s Answer:

Blake and I are big nacho fans (maybe more so me, but thankfully Blake goes along with it). My favorite nachos are served at a restaurant- Kate’s in Newark, Delaware, where I lived during undergrad at the University of Delaware. I talk about and hype these nachos up all the time. We finally made it up to Delaware together on a trip to attend a close friends wedding and Blake finally got to experience the best nachos in the universe- trash can nachos from Kates. A few weeks later Blake made his version trash can nachos at home for me on my birthday! Delicious tortilla chips topped with cheese, chicken fingers, french fries, onion straws, jalapeños, bacon, honey mustard, and blue cheese. I was in heaven. It was so sweet and thoughtful and I think they may just be new favorite nachos!

*Ashley’s Note: I just LOVE this so much. One day, you’ll look back and realize how truly huge all of those little things were. There’s so much beauty in knowing someone who’s making note of all your favorites. It takes a lot of intentional effort to truly learn someone inside and out, and it’s a job that takes a lifetime to complete. Blake’s mission to make you smile every day is one that I can tell he takes seriously, and THAT’S what I call Husband Material. You deserve all the trashcan nachos, Molly.

Question: What’s your favorite thing about Blake and why? Ask Blake to tell us his favorite thing about you and why?
Molly’s Answer:

My favorite thing about Blake is the way he treats others. He has quite literally NEVER met a stranger and he is the first person to jump up to help or offer assistance to someone in need. He has such a good heart and cares so deeply for his family, friends, and community. I feel so blessed to call him mine and am so proud of what a great human he is!

Blake’s answer:

Molly is so amazingly kind, smart, funny, and so many other great qualities that make everyone want to be around her. She has such a big heart and every second we spend together, I see that even more. She’s the perfect teammate and I feel so fortunate every day that we found each other.

*Ashley’s Note: Such beautifully-written words… phrases like “i’m proud of the great human he is” and “she’s the perfect teammate” are the ones that will pull you through on even the roughest days. I encourage you both to continue sharing the moments where you truly “see” your partner for who they are. I hope you’ll share the moments that make you stand a little taller, laugh a little louder, and fall in love all over again. There are so many opportunities to continue celebrating the love you two have found, and there’s no better time than when you feel your heart finding even more reasons to leave one another.

Question: How did you get engaged? We want details!
Molly’s Answer:

We got engaged during our absolute favorite time of the year – Christmas time! Blake proposed after we walked through Illuminights at Explore Park in Roanoke, Virginia. Illuminights is an event where the park decks out a walking trail with Christmas lights and decorations. It’s so magical and if you are ever in southwest Virginia around Christmas time, it’s a must do! I (Molly) was so surprised! Our cousins Anthony and Shelby were there with us, which was special. They were able to capture the moment in pictures for us. We went back this year to do the Illuminights and had a great time. Blake was much more relaxed this time around! We hope to make it a tradition to go back every year! 

*Ashley’s Note: If there’s any piece of advice I can deliver to future grooms planning an engagement, it’s this: INVITE SOMEONE ELSE AND MAKE SURE THEY TAKE PICTURES!!!! I cannot stress the importance of this enough. Blake got SO much right, here – from picking the perfect time of year, to planning the perfect activity, and of course making sure there was photographic evidence. You snagged a good one, Molly. (But I’m sure you already knew that.) This engagement story was so special and was truly created with you and all your quirks in mind. I’m so glad you have such a beautiful story to go along with that gorgeous ring!!

Question: Tell us a short story about a core memory you took away from your wedding day. 
Molly’s Answer:

I (Molly) ended up getting super nervous the day of the wedding! I don’t love being the center of attention and I was having a hard time shaking my nerves. We didn’t do a first look because we wanted to go the traditional/ old fashioned route. I knew if I could just get down the aisle and to Blake I would be fine! And that was the case. As soon as Blake grabbed my hands I felt at ease. He kept taking big breaths to remind me to breathe. 

*Ashley’s Note: That heavy heartbeat is a sign that you’re truly living, girl! I’ve always found that nerves feel the exact same as excitement, and all it takes is one touch from your soulmate to truly realize the difference. The look you and Blake had on your faces as you stood to say your vows was one I’ll never forget; it was a look that said “you’ve made it home.” There’s something so beautiful the way our hearts settle down when they’ve finally locked eyes with the ones they love. Take comfort in knowing you can access that feeling again anytime you want with just one simple glance.

Question: Do you have a favorite memory from working with Ashley Dorton?
Molly’s Answer:

Ashley and Chloe were amazing to work with! Multiple people told us how nice, warm, and welcoming Ashley was throughout the day (and I’m not just saying that.. they really did!). I can’t overstate how great that was for us. We felt surrounded by people who cared about us and helped add joy (and not stress) to our big day. Ashley was a huge part of that. Ashley and Chloe were able to get all the shots we wanted without making the day feel rushed or all about the pictures. We were able to stay in the moment while Ashley and Chloe did their THING. Ashley is so familiar with Fairview and that made our pictures go so smoothly. We really enjoyed the time after the ceremony that we spent taking photos with Ashley and Chloe. It was nice to have that time to breathe, relax, and just enjoy the moment before the party started! I am so thankful for both of them. I know Blake and I will cherish these pictures forever. 

*Ashley’s Note: This is the kind of glowing review that keeps my heart happy. My number-one wedding goal (outside of getting THE shot) is that I make my brides feel comfortable and well-taken care of. Chloe and I run as a well-oiled machine together at this point, and we truly enjoy every moment of what we do. The opportunity to work with you and Blake, as well as your entire friends and family circle was an absolute joy. Your easy-going personalities made our day a fun and exciting, and most-importantly, we managed to capture the most beautiful images of your day. We couldn’t be happier for you two!

Question: When planning the wedding, how did you pick each vendor? What stood out about each one?
Molly’s Answer:

Venue: Fairview Farm

We looked at NUMEROUS wedding venues before touring Fairview Farm (sorry mom and dad!). We fell in love with Fairview the minute we drove on the property. Everything is beautiful and meticulously maintained. We adored the reception space (the warm feel that the antique wood tables and chairs creates really sealed the deal for us). Debbie, Blanton, Colon, and the whole Fairview team were great to work with. They made sure everything looked perfect and ran smoothly for our rehearsal dinner and wedding day! We also really liked the option of having our wedding party and family stay at the venue with us. It made it really nice for our people traveling from out of town. The accommodations are amazing. Everything was perfectly clean and the spaces are super comfortable! They decorate everywhere on the property for Christmas which made the whole weekend feel warm and cozy. 

Catering: Eat catering.

 EAT was recommended by Fairview farm! They were excellent to work with. The food was delicious. My (Molly) parents actually did the tasting for us because we live out of town and couldn’t make it. Together, we picked such a fun menu and everything came together so nicely! Our guests loved the hot chocolate and coffee bar they put together, the soft pretzels as a late night snack, and of course the bar! EAT rolled our silverware with rosemary, cinnamon, and jute and it was such a perfect touch to our Christmas theme. Everyone on the EAT team was professional and easy to work with. 

Dress: Tiffany’s bridal

I found my dress at Tiffany’s bridal in Richmond. I only took my mom with me and it was such a special moment when we finally found the one after looking in multiple dress shops in a variety of places. My consultant recommended I try on the dress that I ended up picking. It wasn’t something I would’ve grabbed for myself, but I fell in love as soon as I put it on. I adored the sleeves and felt like it was the perfect dress for a winter wedding! Tiffany’s was great to work with and made sure my dress and veil were streamed and ready to go for my big day!

Flowers Make Scents

We used Flower Make Scents for our flowers and greenery. They helped create the most  perfect warm and festive vibe! They helped us choose flowers that would be in season and everything they provided was delivered fresh and elegantly prepared. We especially loved the mini “wreaths” they created for the boutonnières. They turned out great and we’re such a unique detail for our day. They also made delicate flower crowns for me and my flower girl, which were so lovely. They made sure everything was in the perfect place for our big day and we are so thankful for their expertise! 

Alterations: AG Alterations

Aksinia was awesome to work with. She made my dress fit perfectly and altered the sleeves to exactly how I envisioned. She was super efficient and very pleasant to work with. You can tell she has so much experience and I felt like I was in such good hands. Highly recommend!

Hair and makeup: Amanda Perry

I found Amanda Perry on the vendor list for Fairview farm and reached out after seeing all of their beautiful hair and makeup looks on instagram.  I got to do a full trial with my mom which was such a fun experience! I can be a little particular about my hair so I was a little nervous about my wedding hair, but Bailee VanNess killed it! I can’t say enough good things about her! She made me feel so comfortable and was so professional. I was so happy with my hair. I am so thankful she was able to do my trial and my big day! Everyone on the Amanda Perry team was great and the bridal party only had positive things to say about their team. Book them!

Cake: The Mixing Bowl. 

We found the mixing bowl on the vendor list for Fairview farm. After reading all of their great reviews, we decided they would be perfect! We went with a spice cake for our winter wedding. It was so delicious and looked amazing decorated with rosemary and cranberries! We had such a good time doing the tasting. You pick multiple cakes and frostings and they pack you a little cupcake box to try so you can mix different cakes and frostings! They also do a 1 year anniversary mini cake so you don’t have to try to save a slice in the freezer! We are looking forward to that!

Planner: Illumination Events 

We can’t say enough about Chelsea and her team at illumination events. I am so happy we got to work with them on planning our big day! They brought our vision to life. Chelsea and her team set up everything perfectly and made sure every detail that we picked out/planned came to fruition! We didn’t have to stress about anything on our special day. Chelsea was so great with coordinating the ceremony processional and making sure everyone was just where they needed to be! She kept us on our timeline so we didn’t have to worry about any of that (which is amazing because I can’t imagine trying to manage that). She is so sweet and has the best vibe/energy and gets the job DONE. You definitely want her on your team for your big day!

DJ: DJ Goddess

They came highly recommended from Fairview and lived up to the hype. They have the best personalities and brought so much energy and joy to our reception. They were so easy to work with and talked us through every step of the process. They were able to use every song we wanted/requested. 

Officiant: Rev Ray Inscoe

Rev Inscoe worked with my dad for many years at Westminster Canterbury Richmond. It was so special having him officiate our wedding. He did an excellent job and made the ceremony so special and personal for us.

Photographer: Ashley Dorton with Chloe Elaine 

I mean I think the pictures speak for themselves because come on how BEAUTIFUL are they. Ashley and Chloe were amazing and I would recommend them to anyone needing a photographer for literally anything. They captured the day so well for us and fit in so well with the vibe of the day. I never felt rushed or pressured, which was so important to me! They made it feel like they were just super fun guests that happened to be amazing photographers that had all their equipment with them. 

To Molly and Blake,

Thank you so much for trusting me to document your breathtaking wedding! You two created the most amazing themed-event, and I can’t express how much cheer your details brought to my Christmas-loving heart. You both have undoubtably earned your spot on my “nice” list forever more.

And finally, a huge ‘thank you’ to all of the amazing vendors mentioned in this blog, who played a special part in making this wedding such a success! You’re all true professionals, and I hope to work with you many more times in the future!

Here’s to marrying someone who makes every day feel like Christmas!
Xo,
Ashley

(Blog designed & Written by Sarah of Aligned Artists)