Holley wanted to show his appreciation to the community and suggested to his wife that he offer the prize of a free lesson to a budding Loudoun wedding photographer as thanks. His wife, Christina, had other ideas.
“The venue and the caterer are the most important part of any wedding and we had those straight away,” recalled Holley. “But to have a coordinator and a florist too – that was amazing!”
“Don’t do that,” she scoffed. “Offer a completely free wedding to a couple. That’s a much better gift.”
Since Loudoun is close to Washington, D.C., and several military bases, Holley decided that he wanted the recipient of the giveaway to be a military veteran.
So began an epic journey that not only shaped much of Robert Holley’s professional life for the next 18 months, but the work of more than two dozen vendors in the tight-knit Loudoun wedding community who helped to make the event happen. In some way, it also changed the lives of a Maryland-based military couple who won the giveaway, and who are now married and living in the region. The story begins days after Christina’s suggestion, when Holley met up with a group of wedding professionals of which he is a member. “We get together every month to network, and I presented them with my idea – to give away a free wedding. Even I thought it was crazy and I didn’t think it was going to get much of a response.” Instead, by the end of that meeting, several members had signed on, among them a venue (Kalero Vineyard in Purcellville), a caterer (Ford’s Fish Shack in Ashburn); a florist (Rick’s Flowers based in Sterling); and a celebrated Loudoun wedding coordinator (Amy Thunell of Amy T Events). 22 Love Loudoun Weddings 2020 @LoveLoudounWeddings
The members agreed. “I’d always wanted to do something meaningful for the military branch and thought it was wonderful to be able to make this contribution,” says Ann Fortin of Kalero, whose rustic, country-chic stone and timber barn on a 130-acre farm and vineyard in western Loudoun was to be the setting.
A Maryland couple with 27 years of combined military service in the U.S. Army were chosen and received a wedding valued over $50,000. November 17, 2019 was chosen as the date, giving them well over a year to plan. To choose the couple, the foundation held an essay competition: veterans were asked to submit an essay describing why they thought they should be chosen. The website loudounisforlovers.org was launched.
@LoveLoudounWeddings Love Loudoun Weddings 2020
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