Saying Yes to the Dress
THE SISTERS BEHIND EVERMORE BRIDAL BOUTIQUE SHARE TIPS ON SELECTING THE PERFECT ENSEMBLE
By ALLISON KINNEY
EVERMORE BRIDAL BOUTIQUE, owned and operated by sisters Rachel Hersh and Tammy Vreeland in Old Towne Petersburg, has been a family project from the beginning.
“I have two daughters, and we would lay in bed when they were little and watch ‘Say Yes to the Dress,’” Vreeland says. When her own daughter got engaged, Vreeland says she “really wanted her to have all the experience, from beginning to end.” Their family found that highend experience at Kleinfeld Bridal in New York (also the location where “Say Yes to the Dress” is filmed).
In opening Evermore (evermorebridal boutique.com) in 2023, Vreeland says she wanted to bring that same feeling of personalized luxury to the Richmond area. “I hope that your wedding dress is in our store, but if it’s not, I want you to leave and still say it was the best experience you had,” she says.
Richmond Bride spoke with Hersh and Vreeland about selecting that perfect gown and the Evermore approach.
RICHMOND BRIDE: What is the boutique’s atmosphere?
TAMMY VREELAND: From the moment that you walk through our doors, we think about everything — we think about color, what you smell, the sound you hear in the background. We try to keep it to a very private and intimate experience where our bride feels comfortable and beautiful and special.
RB: How do you assist clients with selecting their ensembles?
RACHEL HERSH: [The stylists] really get to know the bride before she gets there and know what she thinks she likes. Now, a lot of times brides will leave with the dress they didn’t know they were going to love. So, the stylists also ask them to step outside their comfort zone and just try something.
RB: What should brides consider when they’re preparing to purchase?
VREELAND: One: Keep an open mind. Two: Bring in the things you know you like. The third [tip] is price point. We’re very proud that we o er an a ordable starting point. You
can buy a dress in our store for $500, and you can go up to about $4,000. So, we cater to every budget. We’re also very, very proud that we are size inclusive. It makes me very sad when brides call me and they’ll say, “Do you have dresses I can actually try on? I’m a size 16.” Of course we do. If you’re a size 30, I have plenty of dresses you can try on. Every woman, in every shape and size, should have that magical moment. We have everything from a size 2 to a 32.
RB: Do you have a recommended local gown alterationist?
VREELAND: Miss Vivian [Peterson of Vivian Couture Bridal] worked in our shop when it first opened, and she has her own shop. Her work is unparalleled. A bride can go to any alterations specialist she’s interested in, but we can give them Miss Vivian’s name and feel confident that they are going to be happy.
RB: Can Evermore outfit the rest of the wedding party?
VREELAND: We keep Evermore completely for the
bride, but we have a sister boutique called Glitter and Lace Formals, on Midlothian Turnpike in [Chesterfield County], where we have a full o ering of mother-of-thebride, mother-of-the-groom and bridesmaid [apparel]. You can make an appointment here, and we can outfit the whole team.
HERSH: We partner with Generation Tux, from the owner of Men’s Wearhouse. It’s completely online, which sounds strange, but they have created this perfect algorithm. You answer a few questions, your weight, your waist size, and they send your tuxedo to you two weeks prior to the wedding. And then you have a week after the wedding to return all of the borrowed items.
RB: What’s next for Evermore?
VREELAND: Old Towne Petersburg is important to us. We’re moving from the 100 block of Sycamore Street down into the historic district, which is the 400 block. We’ll open the first week in June [2025] there, and it’s going to be a fairytale look and feel, like Belle’s ballroom in “Beauty and the Beast.”
Tammy Vreeland and Rachel Hersh
Evermore Bridal Boutique’s Petersburg showroom
Iridescent Accents
PEARLS PROVIDE A CLASSIC AND REFINED LOOK FOR THE BIG DAY
A top wedding day fashion trend for 2025 is the incorporation of pearls. The versatility of these timeless accents makes them the perfect complement to a traditional or modern ensemble. Whether you don an heirloom strand or purchase a designer piece, pearls are a mainstay in nuptial style.
Styling by GERALDINE DUSKIN
Vintage 1995 Vera Wang pearl-and-ribbon vine design MULES, $400, at Baggio
Pearl CLUTCH, $88, at Levys
Pearl-beaded GLOVES, $22, at Bygones
Feather FAN, $428, at Bygones
Freshwater Baroque and stick pearl NECKLACE, $875, at Dransfield Jewelers
Akoya pearl 19.5-inch STRAND, $1,800; dyed jade and Akoya pearl grape cluster PENDANT, $1,175; both at Dransfield Jewelers
MATRIMONY Mansion
By CHRISTINE WINDER
A grand marble foyer, Corinthian columns and a two-story ballroom — it sounds like the setting of a period drama. While these architectural features certainly are indicative of the 18th century, you don’t have to go back in time to enjoy them; they can be viewed at The Estate at River Run in Goochland County. It’s a wedding venue that feels like it’s located o the beaten path but is a 40-minute drive from downtown Richmond.
THE ESTATE AT RIVER RUN’S EVOLUTION INTO A PREMIER WEDDING VENUE
The Estate at River Run's poolside area is a picturesque setting for intimate weddings and cocktail hours.
The Primary Suite is a luxurious space for the bridal party to get ready. It features two full bathrooms.
SPANNING 16,000 SQUARE FEET and sitting on 62 acres along the James River, the Georgian Revival mansion is naturally suited as an events venue — but it hasn’t always been one. Under construction from 1981 through 1987 and formerly known as River Run Manor, it was once the private residence of coal baron William Blair Massey. And while Massey didn’t design the home to host weddings, his intentions were similar.
“The Masseys wanted a very formal Georgian home designed for entertaining and large numbers of people,” says Andy Cobb, who served as an assistant interior designer for the mansion. “[River Run Manor] was meant to impress and engage people in parties, meetings and activities. They loved to entertain on a grand scale.”
After decades of hosting private gatherings and good times at his jewel of a home, Massey died in 2014, and the property was listed for sale. Five years later, in October 2019, it was purchased by two families with the intention of giving it a new life as a wedding venue.
History in the Making
Kim Moody, proprietor and director of events at The Estate at River Run, has been a wedding planner for 21 years. Throughout that time, she orchestrated events at different venues across the commonwealth, but in 2018, she began looking for a venue of her own.
Moody, along with her husband, Andrew, originally intended to buy land and build a structure or buy an existing venue and add a ballroom to host weddings. Once they toured River Run Manor, though, that plan changed. “When we walked in the house, we just knew it was 100% right, and we had to do everything in our power to make it happen,” Moody says. “Everything else faded away, and there was no comparison to any other property after that, and we worked on a way to obtain River Run.”
Facing a listing price of nearly $5 million, significantly more than the Moodys’ budget, they knew they’d need business partners to secure the property. After months of searching for the right people, they purchased River Run Manor with Tamra and Doug Adams, who founded Adams International School, a Montessori school the Adamses also rent out for events.
From there, the partners began the lengthy process of converting the mansion and surrounding land into a wedding venue. But first, they had to secure county approval for a Conditional Use Permit to turn the estate into an event venue, which was not an easy process.
“There was a lot of nervousness from the neighbors,” Moody says. “They were very concerned about the level of noise, what having a wedding venue that close to them may look like, ... how that was going to affect their property values, how that was going to affect their life.”
For months, the Moodys met with county members and neighbors through community meetings and visits at the property to answer questions, discuss their plans for the venue and assuage concerns. They also attended several board of supervisors meetings, where county members consistently spoke out against the property becoming an event venue — one meeting even lasted until 1:30 a.m. “Our future was in the [hands] of the board of supervisors. It was a really unsettling time,” Moody says.
After much back and forth, the Goochland County Board of Supervisors met under a special session and passed a vote to grant a Conditional Use Permit. With that in place, the Moodys were able to close on the property.
They had to make upgrades to the location to meet safety requirements. These improvements included adding a concrete staircase to the exterior, installing panic hardware for quick emergency door use, positioning exit signs, replacing windows with fire-rated glass and creating a parking lot for guests.
“It had been vacant for five years and needed a lot of love and TLC, but underneath the massive amounts of money it was going to take [to renovate], it was a jewel,” Moody says. “What we thought was going to be a $200,000 to $300,000 investment ended up being in excess of $1 million.”
Grayson Sommers selected The Estate at River Run for her March 29, 2025, nuptials.
CASSAUNDRA & STEPHEN
College Sweethearts
MAY 14, 2022
Photos by KIM STOCKWELL
Stephen Aronson can remember the exact day he met Cassaundra Fincke — on Dec. 1, 2012, at a party at the University of Richmond. And Cassaundra remembers being so impressed with Stephen’s freestyle rapping that she jokingly said she could marry him.
After that night, the two started running into each other at the library during study breaks. “We ended up talking far more than we got any actual work done,” Cassaundra recalls. “We thought so similarly in a lot of regards but were different enough that it was interesting and exciting.” Several meetups later, Stephen finally asked her out to dinner at Pho Thien Phat, and the two have been together ever since.
After graduation, they moved to New York, and when they got engaged, they decided to get married in Richmond. “We knew we wanted our ceremony to be at the chapel on U of R’s campus, because that’s literally where we met and fell in love,” Cassaundra says.
The couple’s invitations incorporated personal touches including a nod to their ceremony site. “Chloé Minyon with English Tea Paperie was able to weave in so many details when making our custom suite,” Cassaundra says.
Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted an elegant garden party at The Country Club of Virginia, another place the couple has enjoyed spending time. A spring floral theme tied the wedding elements together, from intricate lace flowers on Cassaundra’s bridal gown to the rosy-colored dresses worn by her bridesmaids.
While the wedding was black tie, the party was far from stuffy. Stephen danced arm in arm with his Greek family on the dance floor, and he also asked the band for a hip-hop beat so that he could rap for his new wife.
The couple has since moved back to Richmond, where their love story began.
PRETTY IN PAPER: The invitation suite by English Tea Paperie included a floral liner that echoes the trim on Cassaundra’s veil and a sealing wax stamp depicting the stained-glass window at the University of Richmond’s Cannon Memorial Chapel.
GRAND ARCH: Cassaundra and Stephen took their vows inside the nearly 100-yearold Cannon Memorial Chapel.
(Opposite Page) TRANQUIL VIEW: The couple posed for portraits on the lawn of The Country Club of Virginia, where they held their reception. The groom wore a chic Ralph Lauren tuxedo with a white dinner jacket.
PLANNER: LK Events and Design, Alexis Milby
FLORIST: Olivera Floral Design
CATERER/CAKE: The Country Club of Virginia
MUSIC: EastCoast Entertainment, Groove Motive
(Clockwise from top)
SPIDER PRIDE:
The happy couple posed for a photo surrounded by friends, family and former classmates on the University of Richmond campus where they met.
RAISE A GLASS: Stephen’s mother is a sommelier, so she helped her son and daughter-in-law with selecting a Segura Viudas brut reserva and brut rosé for their reception toasts.
The groom and bride sneak in a quiet moment together during their reception, captured by photographer Kim Stockwell.
ESKIMO KISSES:
JELISA & KENDRIA
Autumn’s Embrace
OCT. 11, 2024
Photos by KIMIE JAMES PHOTOGRAPHY
Before Jelisa Lawson and Kendria McDaniel met in person, they’d spent hours on video calls and chatting online. When they finally went out on their first date, Kendria couldn’t wait to learn even more. “We met in Maryland, where Kendria was living at the time, and she brought these conversation cards,” Jelisa recalls. “So, we sat down and went through them and got really vulnerable and intimate.”
The couple discovered they both love playing pool, so after dinner they went to an arcade. “I didn’t realize how good she was,” Jelisa says with a laugh. “She kept beating me, and then we had our first kiss. I call it a pity kiss because I think she felt bad.”
Since then, the couple has been inseparable. In a short period of time, they bonded while experiencing life’s ups and downs — from skydiving in Las Vegas together to both losing loved ones.
Kendria joined Jelisa in Richmond, and the couple decided to make it official. For their wedding ceremony and venue, they chose Mankin Mansion in Richmond’s East End. “We didn’t want to have our wedding at a banquet hall,” Jelisa says. “We fell in love with the ceremony room and liked the idea of having hors d’oeuvres on the outdoor terrace. They have great dressing rooms and a pool table.”
For their wedding theme, the couple gravitated toward autumn colors. Vogue Flowers designed the florals using fall hues. Jelisa and Kendria told the wedding party to wear what they wanted as long as it was a rust or chocolate color. “Nobody lives in Virginia, so I was getting nervous that everyone was getting their outfits from the same place,” Jelisa says. “But I was so happy it actually came together really nicely.”
Kendria found a smart olive suit, complete with a playful tie and pocket square. On her lapel, she wore a pendant featuring a photo of her late father, a deeply meaningful wedding gift from her bride.
CROWNING GLORY:
Jelisa’s showstopping cathedrallength veil was purchased from David’s Bridal.
TRIPLE THREAT: Mimi’s Mocha Treats created a decadent cake featuring layers of almond, strawberry Champagne and to ee chocolate ganache.
(Opposite page) DRESSED TO THE NINES: The happy couple posed for photos on the grounds of Mankin Mansion in Richmond’s East End. Kendria wore an olive suit, and Jelisa wore a gown from David’s Bridal.
page)
As a special memento, Kendria wore a lapel pendant to honor her late father. It was gifted to her by Jelisa.
(Opposite
SPARKS FLY: Jelisa ditched her high heels for the couple’s sparkler send-o .
CLOSE TO THE HEART:
GAME ON: Kendria stands beside her best man and brother, Kenny McDaniel. Since Kendria and Jelisa played pool on their first date, it was only fitting their wedding venue had a pool table.
ALL SMILES: Jelisa takes a moment to reflect on the excitement of the day as she prepares in Mankin Mansion’s ornate Summer Parlor suite.
(Clockwise from top left) YOU’RE INVITED: The couple’s invitation suite is both modern and rustic, with a perfect pop of color for a fall wedding.
MADDIE & WALKER
A Family Fairytale
OCT. 8, 2023
Photos by KYLIE HINSON
Shortly after moving to Richmond from Boston in 2011, Maddie Wyse met Walker Briggs through her cousin.
“I thought, ‘Oh, he’s adorable,’” Maddie recalls. “I knew the minute I met him, he’s my person. He’s my best friend in the whole world, and I got really blessed our paths crossed.”
The couple dated for eight years and then got engaged in the Appalachian Mountains. But then the pandemic hit, and Maddie found out she was pregnant. “All of the plans just got thrown up in the air,” she says.
A few years later, now with a toddler, Maddie discovered she was expecting again. “We had been intending to get married, so we knew it was time,” she says.
When Maddie and her mom visited The Mill at Fine Creek in Powhatan, they immediately fell in love. “It was literally a one-stop shop,” she says. “Everything from start to finish was easy, and we were able to book quickly.”
Maddie was also drawn to the venue for its natural beauty, towering trees and granite creek bed. She and Walker love spending time outdoors, especially in the fall with the leaves changing.
The couple wanted their wedding to be family friendly, especially for their daughter, Riley, who was 2 when they exchanged vows. “Kids are so fun at weddings and bring that extra element of life and excitement,” Maddie says. “Not only are kids obsessed with bubbles, they’re also fun and whimsical.”
At the wedding reception, Walker announced baby Jordan’s 2024 arrival, making the day even sweeter. Their wedding photographer, Kylie Hinson, has since returned to capture the new Briggs family of four.
SOMETHING OLD: Maddie was sure to include her heirloom mother-of-pearl and lace fan on her wedding day, which both her mother and grandmother carried down the aisle rather than a bouquet.
REFLECTIONS OF LOVE: The grounds of The Mill at Fine Creek provided picturesque photo opportunities, particularly as the couple walked the granite rocks bordering the brook.
(Opposite page) SOMETHING BORROWED: Maddie’s wedding gown from designer By Watters was a loan from her best friend, who wore the dress during her own wedding several years prior.
(Opposite page)
RUST-IC WEDDING: Maddie searched for the perfect hue of terra cotta for the bridesmaids’ dresses, which coordinated with the groomsmen’s ties.
(Clockwise from top left) POPS OF COLOR: For a fresh take on fall, the bride’s waterfall bouquet by Vogue Flowers featured garden roses, ranunculus, lisianthus, mums, fern fronds and eucalyptus.
MAGICAL MOMENT: Walker dipped Maddie for a kiss in a sea of bubbles as their friends and family clapped.
JUST THE GUYS: The groom and his groomsmen shared a laugh and an embrace at the stone ruins of the 290-year-old gristmill that once stood at The Mill at Fine Creek location.
PRECIOUS MEMENTOS: Walker wore a silver Bali chain gifted to him by his mother, who died just months prior to the wedding. His watch was a dating anniversary gift from Maddie, and his cologne was the same scent he wore when the couple first met.
GOWNS
EVERMORE BRIDAL BOUTIQUE
Nestled in the heart of Old Towne, Petersburg, VA, Evermore Bridal Boutique offers a one-of-a-kind experience for brides seeking elegance and individuality. Our handpicked selection of designer gowns ranges from timeless classics to modern masterpieces. Every bride receives personalized, one-on-one service in a warm and welcoming atmosphere designed to make your journey unforgettable. From first fitting to final walk down the aisle, Evermore is with you every step of the way. Book your appointment today and discover why so many brides say “yes” at Evermore. Because your forever deserves something extraordinary. evermorebridalboutique.com
FARIBA BRIDAL DESIGNS
When it comes to your wedding day, every detail matters — especially the dress. But what if your dream gown needs a few tweaks to fit you just right? Or what if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind veil that captures your unique love story? That’s where Fariba’s comes in. Our team of expert seamstresses specializes in luxury bridal alterations and handcrafted custom wedding dresses and veils. We believe that your gown should reflect not only your style but also your personality, and that starts with a perfect fit. 804-273-9000 or faribadesigns.com
THE ONE BRIDAL SALON
The One Bridal Salon invites all brides to come and experience our elegant and inclusiveboutique. We truly want to help you find “the one,” but we are also focused on just one person: you, the bride. That is why our appointments are private, our gown collection has been carefully curated, and our staff is experiencedand knowledgeable. We want the moment you find “the one” to be relaxed, fun, stress-free and memorable. Tucked into the heart of Charlottesville’s West Main Street shopping and dining locations, ourbridal salon is an hour’s drive of Richmond. Come and visit and allow us to help you find “the one.” theonebridalsalon.com
PURITAN CLEANERS
Bridal gown preservation from Puritan Cleaners is a wonderful wedding gift. Our specialists can clean and press your gown, removing soil and “invisible” stains that ruin
fine fabrics, trims and decorations. Then your gown will be carefully packaged in a triple-sealed, custom designed box to protect it from air, sunlight, moisture and insects. It will remain in pristine condition until you open it again. Let Puritan Cleaners preserve your beautiful gown for the next generation. puritancleaners.com
TIFFANYS BRIDAL
Tiffanys Bridal is a woman-owned boutique that has been a Richmond tradition since 1969. You might be surprised to learn we are a small business when you see we have one of Virginia's largest selections of bridal gowns, hand-picked for every bride — and every body type — by the owner and manager, Sharon. As we celebrate 56 years of Tiffanys Brides, we invite you to be part of the tradition: Be a Tiffanys Bride. tiffanysbridal.com
INVITATIONS
MERRYMAKER FINE PAPER
Locally owned since 1979, Merrymaker has been helping Richmond couples express themselves with beautiful wedding invitations for over 40 years. Our Carytown shop is open Monday to Saturday, and we welcome you in to browse hundreds of samples of invitations, save-the-dates, programs, menus, napkins and more. Call or email to make an appointment for a design session to get detailed information on pricing and printing options. We look forward to working with you! Merrymaker Fine Paper, 3022 W. Cary St., merrymakerpaper.com and on Instagram @merrymakerfinepaper
PAPETERIE FINE STATIONERY & GIFTS
We know that first impressions count! Your invitations are the first glimpse your guests will have into your wedding and one of the few tangible keepsakes of your wedding day. Papeterie has had the pleasure of working with countless brides locally, nationally and internationally to bring their wedding stationery dreams to life. Our custom invitations reflect decades of design and illustration experience, unparalleled wedding etiquette knowledge and the joy of making our client’s design experience fun and memorable. Our design studio consists of specialized graphic designers, illustrators and calligraphers who love to create bespoke invitations that truly reflect you
and the essence of your wedding day. For more information or to schedule a consultation appointment, call 804-5607955 or visit papeterierichmond.com.
SNAIL MAIL
Including personalized artwork for a wedding will bring an element of sweet intention for you and your guests. Snail Mail creates custom work that brings every piece of the puzzle together. Whether it's custom invitations, handpainted cards for your bridal party or original artwork for your guests to sign on the big day, Snail Mail's ability to personalize paper goods will leave your guests with a warm heart and a smile. Handpainted elements for those you love that in turn shows love to our newest neighbors will fill your hearts as you embark on your biggest adventure yet. cheathamsnailmail.com
JEWELRY
CARRERAS JEWELERS
Located in the heart of Richmond, Carreras Jewelers has been the West End’s trusted destination for fine jewelry since 1967. Specializing in custom-designed creations, engagement rings and estate jewelry, Carreras Jewelers offers an exceptional selection of diamonds and gemstones. With a commitment to quality craftsmanship and personalized service, our expert team ensures every piece is as unique as the person who wears it. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in luxury, Carreras Jewelers provides an unparalleled shopping experience. Visit the showroom today to add to your own one-of-akind collection! carrerasjewelers.com
SCHWARZSCHILD JEWELERS
Generations of discerning Richmond brides and grooms have declared their love with a Schwarzschild engagement diamond and relied on Schwarzschild Jewelers as their source for all things bridal — wedding bands, bridal jewelry, the groom’s gift, and keepsakes for their ring bearer, flower girls, bridesmaids and groomsmen. You’ll find something old, something new and something blue among the beautiful jewels in our designer and estate jewelry collections. Schwarzschild’s knowledgeable associates will help you select jewelry that suits your
Buried Treasure
A SPECIAL CEREMONY IS A BIG SWIG OF SOUTHERN TRADITION
By NICOLE COHEN
THOUGH EMMA SHIFFERT and Nick Swanson ran in the same circles, it wasn’t until they met through mutual friends at Richmond’s Siné Irish Pub in February 2020 that they began seeing each other romantically. Having navigated dating during the pandemic, the couple got engaged on Jan. 28, 2023, at Keswick Hall in Charlottesville. They chose Mankin Mansion for their wedding on June 1, 2024. Emma is from Richmond and attended the University of Kentucky, while Nick is from Williamsburg and completed his higher education at Clemson University in South Carolina. As a nod to their Southern connections, and in hopes of pleasant weather for their outdoor nuptials, the duo opted for a bourbon-burying ceremony. In keeping
with tradition, they buried a bottle of Woodford Reserve on the grounds of Mankin Mansion a month prior to their big day.
“I had always heard about the Southern tradition of burying it for good weather, so that’s the main reason we wanted to do it,” Emma says. “There literally wasn’t a cloud in the sky, which was awesome.”
After the nuptials, the wedding party gathered to unbury the bourbon. Careful not to get any dirt on her Kelly Faetanini wedding gown, Emma did the shoveling, while Nick pulled the bottle from the ground. The unveiling elicited whoops of joy from the onlookers. The bride and groom then took a swig from the bottle before passing it around to the
bridesmaids and groomsmen.
“I’m not the biggest bourbon drinker,” Emma says. “I did go to school in Kentucky, and so it was very much a part of the culture there … so I’m used to the taste, but I feel like since it was sitting underground for a month, it was warm and maybe had a little dirt in it.”
Regardless, the condition of the bourbon didn’t stop people from imbibing.
“The bridesmaids were like, ‘Oh, my gosh, I can’t believe I’m doing this,’ and the groomsmen were so excited,” Emma says. “At one point, I don’t even know what happened to the bottle. It was passed around the wedding party and then brought to cocktail hour, and then it just mysteriously disappeared, so I’m assuming it was thoroughly enjoyed.”
