CS Lewis Inspired Real Wedding in Austria
We love it when our Fine Art Curation members work together to create beautiful magic for couples so when we saw this real wedding by WS faves A Very Beloved Wedding and photographer Ashley Ludaescher, we were blown away. Not only by the styling and the film photography (hey, we only recommend the best to our brides!), but the Vienna Palace, the delicate Alexandra Grecco gown, and organic style florals by A Very Beloved Bloom. Jodi & Thomas used the CS Lewis quote “Now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read, which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.” as inspiration for their big day and the wonderful team at A Very Beloved Wedding helped them encapsulate this literary idea into the perfect wedding design....
From A Very Beloved Wedding: “The couple is the inspiration: Jodi and Thomas had a long bonding friendship before they realized it was love. They created and now hold an intimate, honest, fun, true and natural relationship. Together they are the best versions of themselves. The mood of their wedding was historic, organic, true, natural, honest, fun, simple, elegant, accomplice in life, sharing, green, beginning of a lifelong together...a new chapter. Jodi and Thomas`wedding reminds of the importance and timeless beauty of books and words. This theme was recurrent throughout the entire wedding. “Now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read, which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.” C.S. Lewis
The color palette includes shades of green, grey, earthy tones, blush and stronger pinks with a bit of yellow and browns. Schloß Eckartsau is a historical palace situated not too far from Vienna, in the southern Marchfeld region. The palace itself is simple, yet elegant and romantic surrounded by beautiful garden architecture and sceneries.
The ceremony took place in the woods with the palace in the background, surrounded by nature. There was no artificial arch, but an oganic looking garland of greens and flowers as if it would be coming out of the tree. Two urns with flowers and greens were placed at the beginning of the aisle. Guests sat on wooden chairs and tree trunks. Everything was kept organic and in the flow with nature. When guests arrived, we handed over a stationery piece. The C.S. Lewis inspirational quote on one side and the dinner area on the other side: Prologue, Story, or Epilouge. Left to the couple, there was a table with wine and 6 wine glasses. An area of remembering the loved ones was placed close to the ceremony with a candle and a stationery piece on a wood branch. The rings were presented in an antique glass box.
After the ceremony the guests were guided to the ballroom – the artful and historic part of the evening. The dinner area was closed and kept as a surprise. The first toast took place in the Ballroom, Baroque antique furniture, flower arrangements, greens and leaf branches were organically placed. During the cocktail hours, a typewriter on several books was displayed next to the guest book, and feathers to write, with the message on it: “Your words are part of our story”. The cake was displayed and served during cocktail on an antique wooden table. The cake was a vegan cake, decorated with organic flowers and greens, placed on an antique table, cut and served during cocktail in the main salon. The reception dinner took place in the inner patio of the palace. The table area at the entrance is the Prologue, the couple was the Story meaning the table in the middle, and the third table area near the exit was the Epilogue. Organic and natural tones of centerpieces were displayed along the middle of the tables. On each sand colored linen napkin, arranged as an old reading tape fabric, the menu with Jodi and Thomas` logo and the name of the guest were placed to open up and present the menu from top to bottom. Light bulbs were hanged across the area and candles will be floating in the middle fountain to create a romantic ambience.”
After dinner the guests moved to the party at the entrance hall of the palace. The give aways, which were small Schnaps bottles, were presented on an antique table for the guest to grab before leaving. This is the perfect end of the beginning of a story.
vendor details
Destination Wedding Design and Planning: A Very Beloved Wedding | Photography: Ashley Ludaescher | Videography: Sequence Five | Venue: Eckartsau Palace | Bridal gown: Alexandra Grecco | Bridal shoes: Stuart Weitzman | Wedding band: Anna Sheffield | Bridesmaid dresses: Amsale | Stationery: Christina Dear | Hair and make-up: Alma Milcic | Rings: Bario Neal | Headpiece: Twigs and Honey | Catering: Motto | Rentals: A Very Beloved Rentals Collection | Floral Design: A Very Beloved Bloom | Cake: Nom Nom Vegan Bakery | Stationery: Christina Goldstein | DJ: DJ Intuitive | Light and Sound: Vienna Light and Sound
