Dreaming of an Ibiza Wedding? See Duncan & Pieta’s Cap Des Falco Magic!
Lauren and Mike’s Floral-Inspired Backyard Wedding in Richmond, VA
We’re obsessed with Lauren and Mike’s backyard wedding in Richmond! The florals were just incredible. So, we chatted with Caitlin, from Caitlin Wilcox Photography, to get all the details, and we’re also giving you our best tips for planning a Richmond, VA wedding.
Caitlin Wilcox Photography
Caitlin Wilcox Photography
Caitlin Wilcox Photography
Caitlin Wilcox Photography
Caitlin Wilcox Photography
“Lauren and Mike’s backyard wedding in Richmond, VA, was a celebration of simplicity, intention, and love. Held at the groom’s sister’s home, the day was filled with soft floral tones, vintage-inspired details, and the kind of warmth that only comes from being surrounded by your closest people. With no wedding party, a relaxed timeline, and a lace gown the bride found on Poshmark, the entire day felt effortless yet deeply meaningful.
Caitlin Wilcox Photography
Caitlin Wilcox Photography
Caitlin Wilcox Photography
Caitlin Wilcox Photography
Caitlin Wilcox Photography
Their celebration embraced the feel of a summer gathering—guests sipping drinks from personalized mason jars, florals arranged in delicate bud vases, and everyone laughing and mingling like one big family cookout. It was a day that proved you don’t need grandeur to create something beautiful. You just need love, intention, and the freedom to do things your way.”
Caitlin Wilcox Photography
Caitlin Wilcox Photography
Caitlin Wilcox Photography
Caitlin Wilcox Photography
Caitlin Wilcox Photography
Tips for Planning a Wedding in Richmond, Virginia: From Venues to Photoshoot Locations
I’ve been writing about weddings for a decade at Bespoke Bride, and let me tell you—few cities have surprised me the way Richmond, Virginia has. It’s the kind of place that sneaks up on you with its grit-meets-glam, its untamed gardens next to Civil War ruins, and its ability to make your Pinterest board feel… basic.
I’ve attended nine weddings in Richmond—each one wildly different, each one completely unforgettable. The city has a pulse. It’s not trying to be Charleston or Savannah. It’s cooler than that. And yes, it knows it.
Wedding in Richmond? Here’s Why You’ll Fall in Love
The first wedding I ever went to in Richmond was in 2014, in a hidden courtyard downtown lit entirely by Edison bulbs and fireflies. That night, I understood something: a wedding in Richmond feels less like a production and more like a story you want to reread.
There’s history in every brick here. But there’s also this weird, wonderful artsy undercurrent—like the city’s always two steps away from starting its own band. Richmond is accessible (two hours from D.C.!), surprisingly affordable, and deeply photogenic, especially in spring and fall.
According to Richmond Weddings Magazine, the average wedding in the city costs around $30,000—less than the national average—and offers better bang for your buck than major metros.
Wedding Venues in Richmond: Where Grit Meets Grace
Let’s talk venues. I’ve had wine at rooftop receptions, danced barefoot in botanical gardens, and cried under Gothic arches here. Richmond’s wedding venues run the gamut.
Historic Grandeur:
The Jefferson Hotel is basically Richmond’s crown jewel. That staircase? Fit for a royal entrance—or, if you’re me, a dramatic stumble in heels. Think Gilded Age glam with marble columns and those giant palm fronds straight out of an old movie. One of my readers got married there and described it as “Southern Bridgerton, but with bourbon.” I agree. For more info about its history, read this.
Industrial Cool:
The Foundry at Tredegar sits right on the James River. Exposed brick. Steel beams. A view that glows golden at sunset. It’s raw and refined, which might sound like a contradiction, but it works. I was there last October and honestly, it felt like being inside a fashion shoot.
Botanical Dreams:
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in spring? It smells like heaven and sounds like bees humming secrets to each other. Flowers burst from every corner. There’s a glass conservatory that looks like a greenhouse for fairies. If you’re into floral symbolism, this place is rich in it: beginnings, growth, beauty born from dirt.
Maymont, too, is a stunner. There’s a waterfall. A carriage house. Peacocks (yes, actual peacocks). It’s romantic in that slightly wild way, like a Jane Austen novel with better lighting.
Pro tip: These spots book up fast—especially in peak seasons. The earlier you scout, the better.
When to Say “I Do” in Richmond
I’ve stood under cherry blossoms in April and under orange leaves in October, and both were magic. Richmond wears the seasons like couture—spring is all soft petals and filtered light, while fall is drama and depth and wine-colored skies.
Summer? Brutal, unless you’re hosting somewhere with solid air-con and lots of cold drinks. I once attended a July wedding at a historic mansion with no A/C. Half the guests looked like they’d been dipped in a vat of soup. Winter weddings are rare but underrated. I covered a December elopement at the Quirk Hotel that felt like a Wes Anderson film—quirky, candlelit, deeply intimate.
Richmond Vendors Who Know Their Stuff
There’s serious talent hiding in this city.
Florists like Vogue Flowers and King William Florist know how to mix classic with unexpected (think white roses with thistles and dried oranges). Glint Events planners are wildly organized without killing the vibe—I once saw them herd 200 guests through a rain plan with the grace of ballet dancers.
Bakers? Let me sing the praises of Pearl’s Cupcake Shoppe, where I once tried a lavender-lemon cupcake that made me re-evaluate every vanilla cake I’ve ever had. Or go rogue and do what one couple I covered did: build a tiered cake out of stacked cookies from Red Eye Cookie Co. It was weird. It was wonderful. It was gone in ten minutes.
And don’t sleep on the VCU art grads. Richmond’s filled with young creatives doing gorgeous work at lower rates than you’d expect. Find them on Instagram. Message them. Let them be brilliant for you.
Where to Take Photos That Aren’t Basic
I’ve seen engagement shoots with red balloons at Belle Isle. I’ve watched a couple say their vows under the Church Hill pergola as the sun dipped behind the skyline. These photos aren’t just pretty—they’re Richmond.
Belle Isle is rugged and romantic, full of boulders and river views. You’ll feel like you’re on the edge of a fairy tale. Meanwhile, Forest Hill Park gives moody woodland vibes that are perfect for fall.
Church Hill has those soft, pastel rowhouses and cobblestone streets that practically beg for a vintage veil and some black-and-white film. And the murals along RVA’s street art trail? Wildly colorful, unapologetic, and perfect for couples who like their romance loud.
Unexpected tip: Main Street Station. It’s a working train station with arched ceilings and massive windows. One couple I interviewed described it as “Harry Potter meets Southern Gothic.” That checks out.
Where to Stay & Play
Most guests love Quirk Hotel for the art, the rooftop bar, and the aesthetic that screams “Insta me.” The Graduate Richmond is another solid choice—think collegiate cool meets rooftop pool.
For the morning after: Perly’s for retro Jewish deli fare (get the matzo ball soup) or The Fancy Biscuit, where the portions are scandalous in the best way.
Let your guests explore Carytown (funky shops + vintage finds), the Canal Walk, and Hollywood Cemetery, which is beautiful, spooky, and oddly peaceful.
Final Thoughts: What Richmond Taught Me About Weddings
Every wedding in Richmond has taught me that good stories need contrast. Soft lace in gritty alleys. Old churches beside punk rock bars. It’s a city that allows you to be traditional and weird, wild and thoughtful—all in the same breath.
If you’re planning a wedding in Richmond, don’t just follow the script. Rip out a few pages. Add your own voice. The city can take it. Better yet, it’ll love you for it.
And if you’re still debating? Don’t wait too long. Richmond’s not just rising—it’s glowing.
