Our wedding will be outdoors, in Virginia, in November, so dress comfortably for the (potential) weather and terrain. It could get muddy, and there will definitely be leaves on the ground and adding to the charm, so we would recommend flat shoes over heels, or something too dainty/delicate and potentially sensitive (such as suede or similar). It is still a wedding, and pictures will be taken, so please be considerate of what choices you make, when selecting your attire. Our theme colors are "rich jewel-tones": hunter green, copper, rust, chocolate, maroon, burgundy, navy blue, gold, mustard, etc. If it's possible, I would love if you could choose clothing in one of these "bold jewel-toned" colors, to help make our pictures fantastic. Feel free to bring your favorite boots for walking around the campgrounds!
We’d love for everyone to be surrounded by loved ones, but unfortunately, neither our venue size nor budget are unlimited. So, if your invitation includes a +1, or has another named guest(s), feel free to bring them along! Due to limited space at the venue, and a desire to keep costs affordable, we are somewhat limited in who we could invite. If you’re unsure, just reach out to one of us, and we’ll be happy to clarify. And space may become available, if someone else RSVPs that they are unable to attend. Overall, we want to make sure everyone just has a great time celebrating with us!
Absolutely! We love kids, and we’ve planned family-friendly activities throughout the weekend. Your little ones are welcome to join in on the fun, and to celebrate in our family festivities. We can't wait for the kids on both sides of our families to meet and get to know each other!
The last month of the autumn, November, is a refreshing month in Spring Grove, Virginia. The venue is in the mountains, so it will be a little cooler than other parts of Virginia, but, it's still not quite winter yet. Temperatures usually fall somewhere between the low 70s/high 60s at the peak, and fall as low as the low-to-mid-40s, as the sun sets and we move later into the evening. It's almost the perfect "sweater weather" with crisp breeze and all of the colors of the transitioning leaves!
Yes! Camping is included in the cost we've paid. You’re welcome to camp on-site with your family. Just bring your camping gear, and you’ll be all set for a weekend of fun under the stars. If you are coming from out of town, and you want to camp (but to not have to schlepp along all of your gear) you can rent camping gear locally, or maybe even borrow some of our surplus stuff.
For those who prefer not to camp, we’ve reserved some (rustic) staff cabins, on-site. These cabins are $30 for the weekend, and "sleep 4" in twin (bunk) beds- but do not come with linens or pillows. We have a weekend's worth of activities planned, and choosing to stay on-site will definitely be cost effective, as well as more convenient/less stressful. Bring a sleeping bag, or your own linens, and stay with us... even if you choose to buy linens at a local Target/Walmart- it will likely be less expensive than a hotel (nearby hotels advertise around $110+ taxes/fees, per night). If you’d like to stay in a cabin, please contact us by the end of September to reserve yours. We have to finalize the reservation with the venue by 1 November. Otherwise, there are hotels in the nearby area- and you can make individual arrangements. Be aware that Spring Grove is a fairly residential area, and the closest hotels are in Williamsburg, and will require transit on the Jamestown ferry (which follows a specific schedule, and more planning). Those who live locally are welcome to stay on-site with us, or can elect to return home each day, as they wish.
The staff cabins are rustic, but cozy, with two twin-sized, bunk-beds. Please note linens are not provided, so you’ll need to bring your own bedding, blankets and pillows. This is the most affordable option, for those who are semi-adventurous. The cabins do have a ceiling fan, but do not have heat. With a sleeping bag, or a good blanket- they are very comfortable.
Pipsico Scout Reservation is in Spring Grove, about an hour and a half from either the Richmond International Airport (RIC) or the Norfolk International Airport (ORF). We recommend renting a car for the drive through beautiful Virginia! Depending on your flight dates/times, we may be able to coordinate carpooling opportunities, and/or we may even be able to pick you up from the airport. Let us know, and we can make a plan :)
Yes, there is plenty of parking available at the Pipsico Scout Reservation. While we don't anticipate anyone needing a car for the weekend's activities, the drive is a beautiful one. Tom also said he can get a rental car discount thru his work, so contact him, if you want.
The ceremony will start on early Saturday afternoon, but feel free to arrive earlier to take pictures with us, explore the campgrounds and get settled in. We’ll also have a casual welcome gathering bonfire and s'mores to kick off the festivities on Friday evening.
We’re keeping the event outdoor-friendly! Semi-Formal (with more casual shoes) or Smart-Casual attire would be appropriate. Choosing something in a bold jewel-toned color, would be perfect! Remember to bring layers, in case it gets chilly, and comfortable shoes which are suitable for walking in the woods, are also a must.
Yes! We’ve planned a variety of fun activities, including campfires on Friday and Saturday nights, hiking, and games for all ages. Whether you’re a camper or just want to relax, there’s something for everyone.
Yes, we’ve created a registry with a few traditional gifts, but our main focus is on our dream family vacation to Alaska, scheduled for after Christina retires. If you’d like to contribute, we’d be thrilled! Additionally, we would love for you to write out a family recipe on the card you received with your invitation. Feel free to make more cards, if you/your family have more than one favorite recipe... preferably, in the same size as the recipe card you received- so they could fit in the card box.
Yes, we’ll be providing meals throughout the weekend, including a welcome/rehearsal dinner and dessert bonfire, on Friday evening; a post-wedding dinner feast and desert on Saturday night; and continental type breakfast on Sunday morning- before everyone departs. We’ll also have some limited snacks and drinks available, throughout the weekend. Please feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks, if you want to have something specific. Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions.
Cell service may be spotty, and there’s no Wi-Fi at the venue, so we encourage you to unplug and enjoy the weekend in nature!
Tom and I thought it would be fun to collect some favorite family recipes and favorite dishes, in addition to a traditional guest book. At the wedding, we will have a recipe card box, where you can leave a recipe that your family particularly enjoys. Since both Tom and I like cooking, this will be a good opportunity for us to work some new and traditional things into the food line-up. Who knows, maybe for Christmas in a future-upcoming-year, we will make and send out our family's favorite recipes in cook-book form!