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Real Virginia Weddings: Hillary & Joseph

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  • The Bride: Hillary Meacham | 29 | Training Specialist
  • The Groom: Joseph Burns | 29 | Sales Representative
  • Date: April 4, 2026
  • Wedding Location: Richmond, Virginia
  • Guest Count: 100

Lots of Laughs

On Hillary and Joseph’s first date, conversation flowed effortlessly and the couple couldn’t stop making each other laugh. First, Hillary almost hopped into the wrong car when Joseph came to pick her up, much to his amusement. As the date progressed, Joseph became so enamored that he accidentally announced, “I love you,” a bit earlier in the relationship than he had planned.  

“She made a cute and funny first impression,” Joseph shared. “I remember her wearing a beautiful yellow dress.”

Hillary and Joseph. (Photo courtesy of Hayes and Fisk)

After many more dates and lots of laughs, Joseph arranged an elaborate proposal in front of a Christmas tree in the courtyard at Mount Ida Reserve. The gesture thrilled Hillary. “She was so happy that she took the ring right out of the custom pink box I bought and put it on her finger herself,” said Joseph.

Planning Process

Self-described “type B” planners, Hillary and Joseph enlisted the help of Kathleen Fennessey to organize their vibrant spring wedding. Kathleen helped the couple incorporate bold color into every aspect of their special day.

The wedding theme centered bright spring hues like pink, orange, blue and yellow. “We are both into vibrant colors,” Hillary explained. “We got to personally pick our flowers from Vouge Flowers, which really tied everything together. I’ve always wanted a ‘princess’ wedding with a ton of fun colors.”

The Details

Florals helped highlight the couple’s colorful vision. Vogue Flowers provided bouquets and boutonnieres, each featuring a different flower from the bride’s bouquet. These included scabiosa, delphinium, Juliet garden roses, sweet pea, lisianthus, peonies, poppies, alstroemeria and eucalyptus.  

An arched arbor, boutonnieres and corsages for the couple’s parents, ceremony aisle row markers and reception table centerpieces also incorporated floral elements. Plus, the florist set aside petals for the flower girl to sprinkle as she walked down the aisle.

Showy florals decorated tables. (Photo courtesy of Hayes and Fisk)

Hillary wore an A-line floor-length dress from Blue Sage. She had her tailor add a flounce of sparkly tulle to the gown’s hem.

Joseph donned a custom navy-blue suit with light blue details and stitching. He completed the look with a blue shirt, floral tie and pocket square.

Six bridesmaids joined the bride. (Photo courtesy of Hayes and Fisk)

The groomsmen’s matching Pronto Uomo suits came from Men’s Wearhouse. Bridesmaids sourced Cinderella-blue satin gowns from Azazie.

The Day

A warm breeze blew as Hillary and Joseph shared vows on the venue’s garden lawn under a budding crepe myrtle tree. Guests grabbed glasses from a champagne wall before taking a seat to enjoy the ceremony. Hillary and Joseph decided to forgo the first look and wait to face each other at the altar. Photographer Jamie Hayes captured the moment.

The couple shared vows under a floral arch. (Photo courtesy of Hayes and Fisk)

Jamie has photographed countless weddings at Mankin Mansion, including the first ever to occur there. He used his experience to make creative use of the venue’s vistas and guide the couple to striking locations for portraits.

Family supported the newlyweds. (Photo courtesy of Hayes and Fisk)

The reception took place in the venue’s permanent tent decked out with floral decorations, gold votives, blue lights, colored tablecloths and photos of the couple. Hillary and Joseph placed a photo of their late dog near the seating chart as a tribute to their furry friend. They also named a signature cocktail, “The Charlie” blueberry lemonade, after him.

Guests enjoyed a signature drink. (Photo courtesy of Hayes and Fisk)
A seating chart guided guests. (Photo courtesy of Hayes and Fisk)

Fabulous Food

Guests loved the bacon wrapped scallops, polenta rounds, shrimp shumai edible spoons and braised beef and mash potato edible spoons offered as appetizers. A buffet style dinner included beef, chicken piccata, mac n cheese, green beans and asparagus wrapped in Brie.

Kookies Cakes Shakes and Gifts created a three-tier cake with a butter cake and vanilla cream layer, a death by chocolate layer with raspberry filling and strawberry bliss layer.

The three-tier cake featured many flavors. (Photo courtesy of Hayes and Fisk)

Dancing the Night Away

Martin Ramirez, a family friend and owner of the historic Mankin Mansion, DJ’d the event. Hillary and Joseph asked him to play “Burnin’ Up” by Jessie J for the bridal party entrance song as a nod to the couple’s last name — Burns.

The permanent tent had plenty of room for a dance floor. (Photo courtesy of Hayes and Fisk)

For the father/daughter and mother/son dances, the couple allowed their parents to select songs they found meaningful. Hillary and Joseph each also recorded voice over messages to play before the dances thanking their parents and expressing their love.

The fireworks display wowed guests. (Photo courtesy of Hayes and Fisk)

Though the couple planned a firework exit, the show was moved to take place during the reception due to high winds. Still, guests waved sparklers as the couple made their getaway in an Aston Martin Vantage at the end of the night.

The couple made their getaway. (Photo courtesy of Hayes and Fisk)

Honeymoon in Mexico

Instead of gifts, Hillary and Joseph asked for contributions to their honeymoon fund. They visited Riviera Maya Mexico and stayed at the all-inclusive Valentin Imperial resort.

“We were so thankful for all of our friends and family who donated and made our honeymoon so special,” they shared. “While in Mexico we got to swim with turtles and visit the cenotes, which are underwater caves. We finished the week off with a sunset cruise. Spending the week together with no set schedule was a dream.”

Wedding Ingredients:

Virginia Weddings features weddings weekly on the blog. Being featured on the blog does not necessarily mean being featured in the print magazine.

Tags : floral focusReal Virginia WeddingsRichmond
Elizabeth Kanzeg Rowland

The author: Elizabeth Kanzeg Rowland

Elizabeth Kanzeg Rowland is a freelance writer and editor. When she’s not poring over manuscripts and searching for misplaced commas, Elizabeth can be found reading in a cozy chair with her cats, performing onstage at her local community theatre or antiquing with her husband.

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