Real Spring Weddings at the Indigo House

When you think of a spring or summer wedding here at the Indigo, imagine green. The valley really comes to life this time of year with every plant practically bursting with potential.

April welcomes budding plants and new leaves as we transition from “stick season“. It’s not very buggy yet, and temperatures are cooler with low humidity. There’s still a chance of frost, and Skyline Drive may close due to ice on the road.

Because May is our rainiest month, it brings luscious greenery, misty mornings, warming temps, and moderate evenings. The mountain laurel and rhododendron are blooming, sprinkling the mountainsides with pops of pink.

June is a gentle transition to summer. Because the temperature, humidity, and mosquitoes are on the rise all month long, it makes for a great month to host a brunch wedding.

With a first look at the mountaintop, a convertible ride through the Blue Ridge Parkway, a board game reception, and lots of laughter, Ariel and Aurora’s wedding was crafted with meticulous detail and all the right vibes. They picked the Indigo because of the views, dog friendliness (Jupiter just had to be a part of the ceremony), and the ability to completely control the event. They had a vision and it was executed perfectly!

Vendor Team:

• • Wedding Planner: Faded Poppy
  • Tent: Skyline Rentals
  • Chairs: MS Events
  • Photographer: Ivy and Lace Photography 
  • Videographer: Laureland Films
  • Catering: Crustworthy Pizza
  • Band: Crooked Creek Misfits
  • Venue: The Indigo House

When two families joined as one on a beautiful day in April, the main goal was to have fun.. and make sure the kids had fun too. After a morning ceremony, the newlyweds gathered with friends and family for brunch. Everyone took the afternoon to explore the area (the newlyweds went antiquing) and then rejoined to gather by the fire for the evening.

The Indigo attracted them due to its low-key vibes, lodging, and approachable price point. Because they love fly fishing, antique shopping, beer and wine tastings, and live music, the area surrounding the Indigo House was the perfect destination for them and their loved ones. 

Vendor Team:

• • Wedding planner: Champagne Wishes
  • Photographer: Veronique Ione
  • Rentals: CVR, Champagne Wishes
  • Food: Albemarle Baking Co., Nothing Bunt Cakes, and more

The first time Susie and John saw the Indigo wasn’t during an official wedding tour, but on a quiet weekday getaway with their dog, Lucy. The peaceful environment and beauty of the area spoke to them and they knew they wanted to plan an intimate wedding ceremony the following year.

For their adventure elopement on the Blue Ridge Parkway, they had to juggle hectic travel schedules for work, family dynamics, and determine what was most important to them. Ultimately, they wanted to trade the stress of wedding planning for something more natural and enjoyable.

Susie brought her long-time friend and stylist to do her hair and make-up in the morning. John and Lucy went for a hike after breakfast. They had their first look as a family of three in the woods; Lucy was so excited to see Susie! Just before the ceremony, John surprised Susie by arranging for her parents to join them. After exchanging vows at Raven’s Roost, the newlyweds returned to the Indigo for a romantic dinner with a private chef. As the sun set, they danced in the yard, surrounded by fireflies and twinkling stars. 

Vendor Team:

• • Photographer: Jordan Baker
  • Florals: Horse and Hen
  • Cake: Cake Bloom
  • Private Chef: Gardner’s Harvest

A pre-wedding dinner with a private chef and their pups. A morning spent sitting in the sunshine with coffee while reading letters aloud from when they dated. An easy afternoon getting ready. A long drive through Shenandoah National Park. A breezy ceremony. A peach pie picnic. A romantic sunset. A perfect elopement.

It was such a treat to host these two as they celebrated their love and commitment. As fellow book and record lovers, National Park pass holders, and all around kind and adventurous people, Kate and Dawson felt more like friends than guests. 

Vendor Team:

• • Photographer: Matt Schmachtenberg
  • Florals: Horse and Hen
  • Cake: No Wheat Sweat Treats
  • Private Chef Claudia
  • Officiant: K Scarry

When your wedding is the first time your families meet, the pressure to make memories can be at an all-time high. Thankfully, when this couple booked a weekend wedding at the Indigo, they looked forward to low-key vibes and quality time with their favorite people (and their dogs).

If Angie and Jim aren’t outside, you might find them going for a mead tasting, camping, playing games, or antique shopping. All of this inspired their whimsical wedding. Angie was looking to bring a fairytale-esque vision to life in an environment that was casual and dog-friendly. 

Vendor Team:

• • Wedding Planner: A&J Event Planning and Coordination
  • Rentals: CVR
  • Photographer: Eva Reede Photography
  • Florals: A&J Florals
  • Catering: Autumn’s Custom Catering & Cafe
  • Baker: Christine Garcia (Family Friend)

When John and Alex first reached out about a wedding at the Indigo, we discussed a very small ceremony in the mountains. It was a special location for them because of where they first met! They have fond memories of sunny Saturdays spent on 151, and getting married in the same area added a personal touch to the celebration.

But unfortunately, during the planning process, their families received some heartbreaking news and the wedding reception became even more meaningful and important. So we shifted gears a bit. Alex and John had a sunrise elopement off the Blue Ridge Parkway, where they exchanged vows privately, surrounded by the peaceful beauty of nature (despite nature hiding behind low-lying clouds and a steady drizzle).

Then, their friends and family decorated tables and heated food, while the newlyweds had a private indoor picnic. About mid-morning, they all gathered for a brunch reception full of love and celebration. Even the poor weather couldn’t dampen the joy of this day.

Vendor Team:

• • Photographer: Matt Schmachtenberg
  • Rentals: CVR
  • Florals: Horse & Hen
  • Food: Cake Bloom, Albemarle Baking Co., Wegmans, Cracker Barrel
  • Picnic: Starlight Stays
  • Officiant: Kate Adamson

Most of our couples plan their Indigo weddings long distance, but this wedding was extra special because Sarah and Dan live in the next town over! It was such a treat to see the fun activities they planned for their wedding weekend, including an after-party on Sunday at our local winery, which hosts polo matches!

While this was a micro wedding, the couple really maxed out special touches and details to make the event extra special. From decor to music, each element was thoughtfully planned and executed to create a relaxing and fun wedding!

Vendor Team:

• • Wedding Coordinator: A& J Event Planning and Coordination
  • Photographer: Matt Schmachtenberg
  • Rentals: CVR, Posey Picnics, Valley Heirlooms
  • Florals: A&J Event Planning and Coordination
  • Food: Uncommon Cakes, Smoked Kitchen and Tap, Graze Craze Charcuterie Boards & Boxes
  • Bartending: Wild Rose Beverages
  • Officiant: K Scarry
  • Music: The Bloom Trio and Event Musicians, Max Mandu
  • Hair and Make Up: Posh Bride

“This is SO Beau and Robby.” It’s one of the best compliments we at the Indigo House can get from guests at any wedding. After a morning playing dominoes and pickleball, everyone got ready and then headed over to Raven’s Roost Overlook for the ceremony. Everyone enjoyed inner and toasts while the sun slipped below the mountains.

Vendor Team:

• • Photographer: Please Don’t Blink
  • Dinner: Bourbon Chef
  • Cake: Uncommon Cakes
  • Venue: The Indigo House
  • Flowers: Horse and Hen
  • Officiant: K Scarry

When Ashley first reached out to us, she wanted a celebration of marriage that bridged two families, cultures, and languages. For the first time, everyone would be together, and she really wanted to create a hospitable environment beyond the reception itself. 

Ashley and Yushi’s attention to detail evoked a sweet and meaningful event. From the sake toast to the personalized Japanese candy boxes for favors, little touches made their big day so meaningful. This event is the perfect case study to prove that the couple and their families are the heart of every wedding; it can be a perfect day, even if the weather doesn’t cooperate. 

Vendor Team:

• • Wedding Coordinator: Evergreen Events & Planning
  • Food: Paulie’s Pig Out BBQ, Cake Bloom
  • Florals: Horse & Hen
  • Rentals: CVR, Posey Picnics
  • Photography: Fae & Forest Photography

I can’t say it better than Juliana did in her own caption, so here’s a recap of her wedding, in her own terms.

“After nearly nine years together, Cory & I finally had our micro wedding last weekend. And while not everything went according to plan (thank you, summer lightning storms), it was still so deeply beautiful.

The vision was Pride & Prejudice meets Lord of the Rings. Romantic, natural, a little moody, a little magical.

We had to flip the timeline, delay the ceremony, and wait out the storm. But our vendor team did an amazing job flipping the order of events & keeping the party going. I’m endlessly grateful for how supported we felt all day.

Because Cory & I were already legally married, it took away the pressure to make the day “perfect.” My brother, Austin, even officiated the ceremony. Our only goal was to celebrate with the people we love and be fully present. And that part was everything.

This year also marks ten years since my dad passed, so it was an emotional day for all of us. He was a musician, and one of my favorite moments was a family dance to a recording of him singing. He was absolutely there in spirit, along with so many grandparents and great-grandparents we honored.

What made it all even more meaningful is that this was our second attempt at a wedding. Our original date last fall was canceled because of Hurricane Helene flooding everything in Western North Carolina. So we planned everything again in just eight months and brought the vision to life in the mountains of Virginia.

We even ended the night with our group of friends playing Cards Against Humanity. I’m so grateful for our friends and family and the support we had the day of.

I even made the table numbers using my new branding from @bellamavenstudio and we walked down the aisle to live musicians playing Concerning Hobbits.”

Vendor Team:

• • Wedding Coordinator: Champagne Wishes
  • Photographer: Maddie Kay Photography
  • Rentals: CVR, Posey Picnics
  • Florals: Horse & Hen
  • Food: Mission BBQ, Uncommon Cakes, RVA Cookie Co. 
  • Music: Got Strings 
  • Hair and Make Up: Posh Bride

Excited about the prospect of a backyard wedding and BBQ, Shannon and Eric planned a wonderful weekend – and thanks to their moms – didn’t overlook a single detail despite moving across the country, starting new jobs, and of course, planning a wedding.

When I asked Shannon for her key to stress management, she said, “Delegation is so important, and relying on friends and family who want to help. It helped us enjoy the day a lot more. We picked a couple of things related to the day that we really cared about and then let the wedding planner and our family (particularly my mother) make the rest of the decisions and plan logistics. It was hard to give up some of that control at first, but once we did, life was a lot more enjoyable.”

Shannon and Eric took pictures in Shenandoah National Park before their ceremony. Then, they rejoined their loved ones to exchange vows, take family pictures, and celebrate with a BBQ dinner under the tent. Yard games kept the kids (and adults!) entertained. My favorite detail of their wedding was their guest book- A recipe box to collect family favorites and soon-to-be kitchen staples.

Vendor Team:

• • Photographer: Kassie North
  • Rentals: CVR
  • Florals: Blue Ridge Floral Design (plus faux arrangements)
  • Food: ABC Barbecue
  • Wedding Coordinator: Champagne Wishes

Sarah and Bryce had a vision. They wanted romance, family, enchantment, and a modern elopement that would feel timeless. I’d say this elopement delivered just that!

Everyone arrived on the first night and celebrated the happy couple with pizza and beer at the local brewery while the sun set behind the mountains. On wedding day, the bride and her sister got ready together with their mom buzzing about, making sure everyone was following the timeline. The bride’s dad stocked a cooler of waters and greeted the remaining family and friends just before the ceremony started. After the big I Do, everyone went downtown for dinner, where they rented a private room at Cafe Frank. While guests returned to their rentals, the new Mr. and Mrs. met their photographer at an overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway for sunset pictures. They cut into the cake while wearing pajamas and watching the first of the fireflies blink in the field.

The next morning, the bride’s family had a casual breakfast at the Indigo House, talking about how perfect the wedding was, already reminiscing, even though it had just been a few hours!

Vendor Team:

• • Photography: Jess at Xiaoqi Li Photography
  • Venue: The Indigo House
  • Flowers: Horse and Hen
  • Dinner: Cafe Frank 
  • Cake: Cake Bloom
  • Officiant: Marla Cantor

When your number one wedding priority is to include your dog in an intimate setting with your friends and family, then you’ve found the right spot at the Indigo. 

Courtney and Nathan love being active with their dogs and an outdoor wedding felt like the right way to incorporate all their interests. They loved our price point, lodging, low-key vibes, mountain and wooded views, and total control to make the weekend just the way they wanted it.

It was the sweetest day for two best friends to get married and enjoy an incredible meal with wine pairing. 

Vendor Team:

• • Photographer: Karlie Whitt
  • Rentals: CVR
  • Food: Dinner with wine pairing by Gardner’s Harvest
  • Wedding Coordinator: Rockfish Valley Events by Design
  • Hair and Make Up: Holly Miller
  • Officiant: Vanessa Waters