Exploring a Region-Lexington, VA
You know how people sometimes say, “That just warms my heart.” Or “good for the soul” or other popular phrases that make it clear just how happy something makes them? Well, that’s exactly how this post makes me feel. Both because I LOVE Virginia (with a very special fondness for Lexington, where I spent EVERY summer…and holiday…growing up), and also because I was able to spend this week with some of my most favorite people.
When my sister told me about The Seclusion, a new wedding venue opening up outside of Lexington, I knew I had to go. Then once I went, met the owners and helped with their daughter’s wedding, I knew I wanted to do more in this area. I immediately dreamt up a styled shoot, a field trip and launch party with my good friends and caterers, The Swell Party, and started making plans to make that happen.
We rented an airbnb cabin just past Washington and Lee University as our home base, but were rarely even there, as our week was jam-packed with visits to the farmers’ market, historic grist mill (Wade’s Mill), local butcher shop (Cattlemen’s), a trout farm (Ashland Farm) and other little pit stops along the way. Our first night, after a long day of traveling from the Northeast, started with a fantastic dinner at the Southern Inn. It was good to all be together and relax for an evening before the festivities of preparing for a launch party began.
Our mission during this field trip, besides just doing the launch party for The Seclusion, was to begin filming a documentary highlighting an emerging destination wedding location. We wanted to show everyone how you can pull off an extraordinary, elegant farm-to-table event using all of the local purveyors. Supporting local farmers and small businesses is so crucial, and when the food is as fresh as it can possibly be…it’s mind-boggling that people still use large, industrial food providers.
During our few days here, we all really felt like we were kids again on a school field trip. We spoke to the local farmers at the market, had a legit field trip at the grist mill, where we learned all about grains, flours, grits (and more), had a great time meeting everyone (or should I say “meating” everyone, lol) at the Cattlemen’s Market…and even fishing for our own trout at Ashland Farm! Our photographer, Ricky Rodriguez…a tried-and-true NYC boy…even caught his first fish! :)
I’m not sure how much of an impact we made during our trip to Virginia, or how much of an impact our documentary will have in educating people, but our trip to Lexington sure had an impact on us. We all arrived as friends (some new) and left as a family…as corny as that sounds. But in an industry that tends to be all glitz and glam, it’s so important to work with people who mean the world to you. It’s important for me as a business owner, and even more important for our couples. When you hire a team of vendors who truly love each other, it’s amazing what that will do for your event!
I hope you enjoy these photos of our amazing trip!
