Claire and James’ reception was a truly local celebration of their friends and family from around the world. The evening kicked off with the service of two Speciality Cocktails — a West Virginia Mule made with local Smooth Ambler Whiskey and a Lillet Gin Fizz made with Smooth Ambler Gin. Both cocktails were topped off with fresh-picked local basil, and paired with an appetizer buffet anchored by country ham biscuits and homemade pimento cheese. Guests spilled into the lawns surrounding the Barn to eat, drink, and take in the stunning scenery.
The bride and groom loved the barn in its unadorned state, so decorations were minimal and selected to bring out the barn’s own cathedral-like features. Hanging ceiling fabric decor and lights provided by Gillespie’s, a family heirloom quilt, and family photos were the only additions. Tables were set with muslin cloths, vintage-inspired silver, and locally grown early summer flowers in silver vases.
After cocktail hour, guests took their seats to enjoy to a country feast prepared by We Cook Catering. Tender beef, roasted chicken, corn pudding, macaroni and cheese, green beans, buttered red potatoes, and fresh fruit salad were some of the country elegant meal’s high points. As the sun set around the Barn and the guests enjoyed their first and second helpings of food and summer brews from the Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company, almost 20 speed toasts were given by friends and family of the bride and groom.
Dinner led to dancing, star-gazing, and the cutting of 12 heritage cakes made by friends, family and local bakeries. Claire and James could not have been happier, and, whether they were from down the road or across the globe, their 210 guests couldn’t get enough of the farm wedding’s local flavor.
