Virginia Weddings Magazine
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Real Virginia Weddings: Samantha & Isaac

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  • The Bride: Samantha Blake | 29 | Nonprofit Project Manager
  • The Groom: Isaac Levy | 27 | PhD Student in Data Science
  • Date: June 14, 2025
  • Location: Staunton, Virginia
  • Guest Count: 75

Brains and Banter

Samantha and Isaac met while studying at Oberlin College. In addition to her courseload, Samantha worked as teaching assistant for the school’s Hispanic studies department. There, she encountered Isaac, a first-year student tackling a difficult Spanish class during his first semester. “We impressed each other with our brains and banter,” Samantha recalled.

During finals week, Isaac leapt at the chance to ask Samantha on a date before she graduated. After that, the couple shared, “It was official!”

Samantha and Isaac. (Photo courtesy of Photography by Jo LLC)

Several years later, once Samantha had obtained a master’s degree at Stanford University and Isaac had graduated from Oberlin, the couple were engaged during a romantic ski trip in the Berkshires. “While we were taking a break at the bottom of a hill, Isaac suddenly got on one knee and proposed,” said Samantha. “There was absolutely no one around, no phones, just us and the snow quietly falling through the trees. It was instant tears for me, and though I’m sure I nodded, I don’t think I ever managed to squeak out a ‘yes’ through all the emotion.”

Tight Timeline

Remarkably, the couple planned their wedding in just four months. Isaac’s acceptance into a doctorate program necessitated the tight timeline.

The bride’s veil featured a beaded edge. (Photo courtesy of Photography by Jo LLC)

Together, they began researching local vendors and creating a list of those available on short notice. They met and hired six of their vendors at a local wedding fair. “Once the core vendor team was in place, we had fun with the remaining details like our outfits, playlists for the night and decorations,” the couple explained.

The Details

Dreamy shades of blue and green inspired by the Blue Ridge mountains anchored the special day’s design. The bride’s bouquet, which she chose to have pressed and framed after the wedding, featured local and seasonal blooms in shades of blue, green and cream.

The Blue Ridge mountains inspired the couple’s color scheme. (Photo courtesy of Photography by Jo LLC)

Reception table decorations included flowers placed in bud vases alongside potted herbs. The tablescapes also used antique plates and glassware along with candles, herbs and fresh fruit.

Fresh fruit sat atop the reception tables. (Photo courtesy of Photography by Jo LLC)
Decor embraced vintage and modern elements. (Photo courtesy of Photography by Jo LLC)

Guest were encouraged to wear garden-inspired colors and prints, mirroring the wedding’s fresh, floral atmosphere.

Samantha was thrilled to snag an appointment at Ashley Grace Bridal near Lynchburg, Virginia to find her gown. She enjoyed trying on a variety of styles before landing on a Rebecca Ingram by Maggie Sottero Designs gown in the style Elizabeth Marie.

The bride accessorized with a headband. (Photo courtesy of Photography by Jo LLC)

The strapless A-line dress featured a banded cuff neckline and chapel-length train. Samantha styled the dress with a cathedral-length veil and a beaded headband.

Isaac wore a bespoke light blue suit from Alton Lane. He customized every detail, including the buttons, inner lining and interior embroidery of the couple’s initials and wedding date.

Bespoke details decorated the groom’s suit. (Photo courtesy of Photography by Jo LLC)

Jo Mahaney captured photos of the couple’s special day.

Signature Celebration

Samantha and Isaac opted out of several traditional wedding practices, keeping just the ones that resonated with them.

In lieu of a wedding party, the couple’s siblings accompanied them down the aisle. The couple also decided to forgo a handing-off ceremony and declined to be presented as Mr. and Mrs. or have father-daughter or mother-son dances.

During the ceremony, they invited their parents to hold a chuppah over them as they shared their vows. “Our chuppah involved a tallis (Jewish prayer shawl) that belonged to Isaac’s paternal great-grandfather,” the couple said. “It was the same one his parents were married under in 1996. The chuppah symbolizes the new home the couple is creating together. It’s always open on all sides, signifying welcoming and hospitality. Similarly, there is no furniture or other possessions underneath the chuppah with the couple, reinforcing that the basis of a home, and a marriage, is the people within it.”

Family held up a chuppa. (Photo courtesy of Photography by Jo LLC)

A family friend officiated using a script lovingly created by the couple during their months of planning. Many guests spoke Spanish, including Samantha’s family from Argentina. The couple celebrated this by incorporating both Spanish and English throughout the ceremony and their vows.

The Day

The couple held their ceremony and reception at Gaie Lea in Staunton, Virginia. They loved the venue’s natural beauty. “We let nature do the heavy lifting at the ceremony site itself — just wooden benches and an ancient tree above,” said Samantha. “Our reception area was also beautiful and right next to a small lake.”

Outdoor vistas defined the day. (Photo courtesy of Photography by Jo LLC)

Samantha and Isaac stayed at the Gaie Lea house with their close family for the duration of the long weekend, an experience they felt drew the families together. They also hosted their rehearsal, welcome pizza party and joint bachelor/bachelorette gathering on site.

Photos from the couple’s engagement shoot greeted guests as they arrived. Additionally, a table of framed photos highlighted family weddings from the past. “It was important to us to highlight our history and those who came before us,” the couple said.

Penguins topped the cake. (Photo courtesy of Photography by Jo LLC)

While guests transitioned from the ceremony site to the reception area, Samantha and Isaac snuck away to the Gaie Lea home to sign their marriage documents and celebrate with a private champagne toast. They also privately cut into a carrot cake decorated with penguins using a family heirloom cake cutting set.

For dinner, Guests enjoyed a Turkish and Mediterranean menu featuring chicken and beef döner, falafel, salad, dolma, lentils, roasted brussels sprouts, rice, pita and a variety of sauces. Desserts included baklava, cupcakes, and alfajores, shortbread cookie with dulce de leche from Argentina.

Guests kept cool and danced the night away. (Photo courtesy of Photography by Jo LLC)

The couple loved putting together playlists with songs in Spanish and English for the cocktail hour, dinner and dancefloor.

Happy Honeymoon

Samantha and Isaac enjoyed a two-week honeymoon in Portugal. “This was our first time getting to travel so slowly together, and we’re really grateful that we got to experience so much of the culture and landscapes that Portugal has to offer,” they shared.

Wedding Ingredients:

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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