1 of 8
Isn’t It Ironic?: The couple’s officiant is a close friend who works as a divorce attorney. “She was excited to bring people together instead of tearing them apart,” Kristin says, laughing. (Photo by PW Photography)
2 of 8
Shabby Chic: The bride’s BHLDN ensemble included a pale pink dress with a lace skirt overlay, tied at the waist with a custom-made green silk sash and accented with a lace veil, a family heirloom. (Photo by PW Photography)
3 of 8
Animal House: The guest list wasn’t limited to humans — the couple’s two dogs made a brief appearance at the end of the ceremony, as did Hunnicutt’s flock of Hog Island sheep (pictured). (Photo by PW Photography)
4 of 8
Game Changer: Adults enjoyed outdoor games like cornhole and a life-sized version of Jenga during the reception. (Photo by PW Photography)
5 of 8
Rustic Beauty: The all-natural table centerpieces featured a bouquet of white hydrangeas sprinkled with organic herbs, planted in a wooden stick base. (Photo by PW Photography)
6 of 8
Sweet Dreams: Guests were treated to a S’mores bar with toasted marshmallows dipped in melted chocolate and graham cracker crumbs. The outdoor-themed wedding cake was shaped like a mountain and had figures of the couple’s dogs riding bikes. (Photo by PW Photography)
7 of 8
Pickin’ and Grinnin’: Richmond-based bluegrass band Jackass Flats provided entertainment during the reception. The band has won the Virginia State Bluegrass Championship. (Photo by PW Photography)
8 of 8
Love in Lights: This romantic decorative accent was used as a prop for the couple’s DIY Polaroid photo booth. (Photo by PW Photography)
The event that first brought Kristin Sakakini and Dave Carleton together was, in a word, confusing: She thought she was attending a happy hour gathering with a client, when it was actually a sit-down dinner with eight men. Little did she know she was seated next to the man who would become her husband.
The pair became engaged in September 2014 after a year and a half of dating. The active couple knew they wanted their summer wedding to reflect their love of all things outdoors — camping, hiking, mountain biking and more. They even booked a venue that would allow them to camp with guests the night before the wedding. Unfortunately, plans fell through and the couple was left without a venue two weeks before the big day.
Kristin called upon their friend Brett Hunnicutt for help — he and his father rehabbed a 107-acre colonial estate in Manquin and reopened it as Seven Springs farm and historic venue in fall 2014. Luckily, the site was able to accommodate the couple’s vendors, and theirs was the first wedding held on the property. “Brett went above and beyond for us,” Kristin says. “It just shows how sometimes things work out for the best.”
The casual outdoor reception was held nearby under a sprawling tent. Décor was kept simple to showcase the natural beauty of the rustic setting.
As a tribute to Southern culture, there was a whole pig roast paired with traditional fixings like bacon mac ‘n’ cheese, green beans, potato salad and more. “A lot of our out-of-town guests had never been to a pig roast,” says Kristin, who is originally from Newbury Park, California. Dave is from Branford, Connecticut. “It’s something we both love about the South.”
Cake: A Cake to Remember
Catering: Mitchell Brothers BBQ
Wedding Planner: Angela Diggs-Parker, Angela’s Elegant Events
Photography: PW Photography
Flowers: Flowers by Mona Ray
Makeup: Errin Sakakini (the bride’s sister)
Hair: Shine Blowdry Bar
