Shakespeare wrote that “journeys end in lovers meeting,” but Eric and Jeanette Richardson hope that their trip down the aisle at Pinecroft at Crosley Estate was just the start of their adventures together.
Sharing a love of travel, Eric and Jeanette knew they wanted to have an adventure-themed wedding. When they found Pinecroft, they were charmed by the mansion’s beauty but also by a large grassy field behind the reception area. They thought a tethered hot-air balloon for guests to ride in would be a perfect nod to their love of adventure and their engagement at the National Air & Space Museum. While it was too windy to tether the balloon the day of the wedding, the weather was otherwise glorious and there were plenty of nods to travel, from hand-painted bridal shoes by Figgie Shoes to paper airplane escort cards and Wedding Field Guides (programs) by Margot Madison Creative.
“Most importantly, we were surrounded by our loved ones as we were married by Eric’s family friend Gary McKenzie and blessed by my uncle, the Rev. Craig McClellan,” says Jeanette. “We were so blessed to have my parents and grandmother and Eric’s grandfather there to support us as they have done all our lives. We had siblings and amazing friends stand by our sides, and seats filled with those family and friends most dear to us as we vowed to spend our lives together.”
After the ceremony, the celebration was decked out with beautiful, vibrant blooms from Blossoms Florist and gorgeous purple and blue lighting from Goodwin Lighting.
Guests enjoyed their choice of drinks (including Hurricane Jeanette and Eric’s Snake Heart, nods to some of their travel stories), and capped off dinner with delicious cake from Sugar Realm.
“Ileana from Sugar Realm is truly an artist,” says Jeanette. “She sculpted a completely edible hot air balloon cake topper and a sugar airplane featuring our wedding date to adorn the cake. It also had map elements and our wedding theme ‘love is the greatest adventure’ scripted to match our paper goods.”
At the end of the evening, Eric had arranged an antique Rolls to transport the couple away, dreaming of their next adventure, a honeymoon sailing in the Greek islands. But even though the day is one to remember rather than look forward to, the couple made sure to have mementos of the wedding.
“We knew from day one that we wanted to work with Neysa Ruhl of Belle & Blanc to photograph our wedding day. We didn’t even book our venue until we made sure she was available. Her images are so artistic and truly capture the emotion of the moment. We will cherish them forever,” says Jeanette. “We were also so incredibly lucky to meet David Schmaus of Studio 213 Films and booked him on the spot. His stunning film, from intimate shots to aerial video, brings our wedding back to life. And what more could we ask for than that?”