- The Bride: Natalie Nicole Mullins | 22 | Marketing Communications Coordinator
- The Groom: Christopher Lee Blankenship | 23 | Student at Radford University Carilion Physician Assistant Program
- Date: January 1, 2026
- Location: Roanoke, Virginia
- Guest Count: 130
Something More
Virginia Wedding’s own Natalie started dating Christopher during their senior year of high school. Friendship blossomed into something more over homework help sessions where Natalie wrote Christopher’s English essays while he attempted to explain differential equations to her.
After a few sweet years together, the couple traveled to Europe for Natalie’s college graduation trip. On a visit to the Basílica de la Sagrada Família in Spain, a photographer approached, offering to take free photos. The seemingly random interaction was actually part of Chris’s plan to propose. He got down on one knee in front of the majestic landmark and asked Natalie to marry him.
Perfect Planner
Natalie, an expert thanks to her job as a bridal magazine writer, planned the wedding. To help with day-of operations, the couple enlisted Zach and Tarah at Weddings by TMW. “Hire a day of coordinator that understands your vision and you trust to execute it,” said the bride. “I worked for 18 months to create the wedding of my dreams and had a completely stress-free day because I 100% trusted Zach and Tarah to execute everything perfectly.”
The Details
The couple selected a black, white and gold color scheme to create a classic and elegant atmosphere. The bride’s all-white bouquet featured magnolia leaves, hydrangeas, tulips, lilies, roses, stephanotis and star of Bethlehem. The groom’s boutonniere also starred stephanotis. Bridesmaids carried white hydrangeas with magnolia greenery.
Natalie wore an ivory Justin Alexander ballgown with a sweetheart and cat-eye combination neckline. The gown had a side slit and large bow on the back. Her pearl drop earrings and pearl necklace came from her great-grandmother. Christopher similarly honored family by using his grandfather’s wedding band.
The bridesmaids’ matching dresses came from Amazon. “They can be tied in different ways,” explained Natalie. “Each dress looked unique, but it’s actually the same dress!”
The groom and his groomsmen wore rented black tuxes from Men’s Wearhouse.
Jade Sutherland photographed the event. “She does a good job of including traditional and formal portraits while also keeping up with the trends,” the bride said.
Spotlight on Stationery
The couple’s stationery shone. Photo booth strips inspired their save-the-date cards. Plus, the invitation suite contained a formal invitation, response card and details card with traditional inner and outer envelopes. The couple sealed the outer envelopes with a signature wedding crest.
Day-of programs emulated a newspaper, nodding to the bride’s journalism background. The front page highlighted a photo of the couple from their engagement shoot and a short note along with the order of events for the ceremony. The central pages listed the wedding party and family and featured a timeline, dinner menu, fun facts and a sip-and-solve crossword puzzle. The back page showed the seating chart. Instead of traditional numbers, each table was named after a place the couple has traveled together.
The Day
The couple exchanged vows in front of the venue’s stone fireplace. Magnolia greenery, gold mirrors, gold candle sticks, white floral arrangements and a gold cross adorned the mantle. Guests sat in gold Chiavari chairs on either side of the aisle.
The Christian-based ceremony highlighted tradition, love and family. The couple exchanged private vows early on the wedding day and public ones at the ceremony. They also held a unity candle ceremony using the same center candle Natalie’s parents used at their 1997 wedding.
During a cocktail hour after the ceremony, guest enjoyed looking at a “love that made us” table featuring wedding photos from parents and grandparents. A memorial table honored family members who had passed away.
For dinner, friends and family feasted on house salad, rolls and a choice of filet mignon, salmon or stuffed mushroom served with mac and cheese and sweet potato casserole. The bride’s signature drink was a pineapple margarita, and the groom’s was peach Crown Royal and sweet tea. Guests also enjoyed a variety of cakes and cupcakes, but not before the top cake tier was whisked away to be enjoyed on the couple’s anniversary.
The couple treasured the toasts given by friends and family. During her toast, the maid of honor recounted being Natalie’s “super fan” at high school tennis matches. She then bestowed that “super fan” title to Christopher.
The couple danced the night away before making their getaway. Guests waved foam glow sticks as the couple drove off in the groom’s decorated car.
Grateful for Gifts
Practical and personal gifts made the couple’s list of favorites. Since they were moving in together for the first time, they appreciated the abundance of kitchen supplies and homewares they received.
Still, nothing beats a handmade present. “My mom made a beautiful cross-stitch pattern for our wedding that I’ll always cherish,” the bride shared.
Wedding Ingredients
- Ceremony Site: Roanoke Country Club | Roanoke, VA
- Reception Site: Roanoke Country Club | Roanoke, VA
- Photography: Jade Sutherland | 540-392-0847 | Roanoke, VA
- Videography: Will Howell | 540-904-3253| Roanoke, VA
- Consultant: Zach Whittenburg | Weddings by TMW | 401-484-3291 | Warwick, RI
- Officiant: Joe Hedrick | Bedrock Roanoke Church | Roanoke, VA
- Gown: Justin Alexander | Ivory on Campbell | Roanoke, VA
- Veil: Ivory on Campbell | Roanoke, VA
- Shoes: Amazon
- Hair: Allison Creasy | Salon 121 | 540-597-2294 | Vinton, VA
- Makeup: Kara Sullivan | 434-221-6330 | Lynchburg, VA
- Bridesmaid Dresses: Amazon
- Formalwear: Men’s Wearhouse
- Invitations: Designed by the bride on Canva | Printed at First Impressions | Roanoke, VA
- Flowers: Creative Occasions | Vinton, VA
- Catering: Roanoke Country Club | Roanoke, VA
- Cake: Liz Fix | Vinton, VA
- Accommodations: Hotel Roanoke
- Honeymoon: Coconut Bay Resort | St. Lucia
Virginia Weddings features weddings weekly on the blog. Being featured on the blog does not necessarily mean being featured in the print magazine.
