Softly Enchanted Fall Wedding At Mankin Mansion

These college sweethearts first met while attending James Madison University and bonding over their ties to California. On the day they first met, Hailey correctly guessed Cameron’s age and immediately gave him her number. Months of unnoticed flirting went by until Cameron got a new haircut. Hailey ultimately caught the hints and asked him to be her official boyfriend. Years later, Hailey and Cameron joined her family on a cruise through Central and South America. Fulfilling a longtime dream, Hailey was able to hold a sloth delightfully named Snow White. While cradling Snow White and posing for photos, Cameron proposed. In this perfect moment, he slipped his great-grandmother’s engagement ring onto Hailey’s finger. 

Embracing earth tones and eclectic style, Hailey and Cameron’s self-coined “dream fantasy” decor style evoked a soft enchantment over their September wedding day. Known as one of Virginia’s most sought-after venues, the Mankin Mansion fulfilled Hailey’s long-time dream of getting married at this iconic space. The mansion’s historic charm lent itself to the feeling of yesteryear, as manicured gardens, ornate chandeliers, and a golden bridal suite cast a soft glimmer of fascination over their guests. It was important to the couple to honor their space and the union of their families with traditions of the past. Once guests had taken their seats along the red brick aisle, the couple cleansed the space. They also included a handfasting ceremony while holding an oathing stone. A wooden arch was strewn with rustic florals and fluffy greenery, set with a backdrop of September’s trees. The wedding party wore burnt orange, green, and taupe-colored gowns and suits. The forested outdoor spaces provided whimsical couple portraits among the towering trees, resting on benches and walking through the season’s changing leaves. Hailey wore a golden leaf hair vine as additional springs of flora were tucked into the braid at the back of her half-up hairstyle. Tables were set with a color story of deep teal and rust orange linens with vintage floral China, golden accents, and rich floral arrangements. Hailey made the change from her lace wedding gown to a fringed vintage-inspired mini dress while guests drank from mismatched gem-toned goblets and lounged on velvet sofas.

We were college sweethearts who met at JMU. I was a previously homeschooled freshman who went to a big group dinner where I knew basically no one, trying to branch out. Cam told me about how he’s also from California, the meanings behind his familial tattoos, and when I correctly (read “hopefully”) guessed he was 21, I gave him my number immediately. Months of unnoticed flirting from Cameron went by… until he got a haircut. Fast forward to September 21, 2016, I asked Cameron to be my boyfriend. 

After celebrating Aaron & Ginny James’ own wedding, we took a family cruise (nicknamed “family-moon”) through Central and South America. My mom immediately ripped off the bandaid, telling me the excursion with my favorite animal, the sloth, was sold out. At the first port we went to see monkeys, where my parents surprised me with a sloth named Snow White wrapped in my arms. As I’m tearing up, posing for photos, I hear from behind, “Hailey Marie Ramirez, would you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Foster-Parker?” I nodded my head as I tried to squeak out “yes!” While cradling Snow White with my right hand, he slipped his great grandmothers engagement ring on my left. 

Earth tones and fantastical imagery was a very prominent theme, from the mismatched gem-toned goblets and velvet couches around the dance floor, to the moss on the welcome table and the golden leaves in my hair. In order to make our dream wedding come true we thought we’d pull from a dreamy fantasy decor style. It was a lot of elements to pull together, and while no one knew what the final product would look like, everyone was blown away on the big day!

Mikaella from Blue Sage Bridal & Kenneth Cole from Bill Tornade Paris

Incorporating unique and often forgotten traditions in our ceremony was very important to us both. Once everyone took their places, we began by cleansing the space, and exchanged vows after a hand fasting ceremony while holding an oathing stone. This represented the union of our families throughout generations, honoring both those who could and could not be there with us on our wedding day. 

Going back to the Salon for our alone time post-ceremony felt like the first time I could really breathe. Getting to sit alone together in the overwhelming feeling of “We pulled it off! We finally get to celebrate with everyone!” 

My parents’ (Owners Martin & Paula) rendition of Richard and Emily’s song from Gilmore Girls left me in tears of love and laughter. 

Surprising our guests with not only an after-party, but fresh Cracker Barrel breakfast awaiting them. 

Learn how to prioritize and compromise, whether that means breaking up your to do list into monthly tasks or realizing you might have to DIY some things you hadn’t planned for.