Picturesque Cairnwood Estate Fairytale Wedding
With its solid high stone walls and classic architectural form, Cairnwood Estate is one picturesque venue we’d love to see any day! Lucky enough, we get to share Sarah & Jimmy’s fairytale wedding that was celebrated inside the halls of the stunning estate. And we’re certain that dusty rose and burgundy hues are the perfect colors we’re asking for a charming wedding like this. Let’s admire every bit of it, shall we?
With Emily Wren Photography behind the lens, design by Laurel & Elm, and florals from Belovely, this is a wedding worth sharing to other princess brides out there!
As the father of the bride reminded guests in his father of the bride speech, Sarah means “princess” in Hebrew”. It was a fitting remark since Sarah and Jimmy’s wedding at Cairnwood Estate was nothing short of a fairytale.
Emily Wren – known for her fresh, radiant and thoughtful style – capturing the beautiful, joyful scenes of the day. From their invitations to their first look, Emily and her team caught every big moment of their special day and all the smaller, sweet ones in between. Emily also did Sarah and Jimmy’s engagement shoot – on an equally gorgeous fall day – in D.C. where the couple met, got engaged and live today.
Despite their love of the nation’s capital, the couple knew they wanted to get married close to home given the close bond Sarah has with her parents, family, and friends who have turned into a family that Jimmy now shares.
Fairytale dreams became a reality for the couple with the expertise of their wedding planner, Lora, of Laurel & Elm Events. The gorgeous October day was full of romantic, personal details and a color palette featuring rich, dusty rose, deep burgundy and brushed golds. Even before the big day, wedding guests were wowed by the invitation suite, designed by Papertree Studio. The couple also used the boutique design studio to create various wedding day signs, table numbers, and their escort cards, which adorned bottles of rosemary infused olive oil bottles for guests.
Channeling the natural beauty of the venue, ONLO Beauty gave Sarah a soft chignon and bridal glow with a warm mauve lip. Sarah’s earrings were a gift to her from her father which he gave her during their own first look. To keep the tears coming, Sarah’s first look with her father was followed by her first look with Jimmy. The bride and her father rode in luxury and style on their way to the ceremony in an old-fashioned Rolls Royce. After the ceremony, Sarah and Jimmy rode the vintage stunner back to Cairnwood for their reception.
Belovely’s rich, textured blooms took center stage in Sarah’s bouquet and dazzled the stunning architecture of the estate including the mantle and stairway. The real showstopper was the canopy of blooms and greens that distinguished the wedding party’s table and mirrored the lush garland strung along the length of the table. For the ceremony, urn arrangements, candles, and lanterns framed the altar. The ceremony took place in the bride’s home church, St. Alphonsus, where she received all of her sacraments alongside her dear friend who was also the vocalist for the service.
Jimmy donned a midnight blue tuxedo and his groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos. Sarah’s bridesmaids wore elegant floor-length gowns in a dreamy dusty rose. Sarah’s Augusta Jones gown graced the floors of the church and the estate with layers of tulle and a dramatic lace train. Always full of surprises, Sarah swapped her satin sash for a glitzy one during cocktail hour calling it her “party sash.”
How are you loving this Cairnwood Estate fairytale wedding? Bet you’re obsessing like we do. Not yet? Okay, let’s talk after you see their wedding reception.
The couple shared their first dance after entering down the staircase of the Great Hall where they were surrounded by guests. And there was definitely a lot of dancing to be had with the high energy Don Eaton Band brought to the dance floor. Some of Sarah and Jimmy’s favorite moments together were those spent dancing which they definitely got to do that night!
Guests left with not only a groove in their step but also happy stomachs. From the made-to-order guacamole bar and mini grilled cheese & soup shooters to the surf & turf style entree and apple cider donut holes, Feastivities’ creations appealed to everyone’s taste buds. For Sarah and Jimmy, who are both avid cooks and foodies, having a top-notch food experience was a must for their big day. The two can often be found cooking at home or at a rising star restaurant in D.C.
For their four-tiered wedding cake, the couple gave a nod to both their home “cities” with a Philly LOVE sign and Capitol building cake topper.
And, there you have it! Are you tingling for more fairytale weddings? We do, too!
Wedding Vendors:
Photography: Emily Wren Photography
Event Planning + Design: Laurel & Elm
Floral Design: Belovely Floral Design
Venue: Cairnwood Estate
Bridal Boutique: Elegance by Roya
Bride’s Shoes: Angela Nuran
Hair + Makeup: ONLO
Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids
Groom’s Tuxedo: Indochino
Groomsmen Tuxedos: The Black Tux
Catering: Feastivities Events
Rentals: Maggpie Vintage Rentals
Invitations: Papertree Studio
Entertainment: Don Eaton Band
Transportation: King Limousine Service | Krapf Transportation | First Class Rolls Royce
Ceremony: St. Alphonsus Church
Officiant: Rev. Stephen Leva