Romance Reimagined: Grace Ann & Abhay's Dream Wedding at The Estate at River Run

Love Story

The journey of Grace Ann Brew and Abhay Singh began in the hallways of college, where they were hallmates during their freshman year. Friendship blossomed into love, and they have been inseparable for nearly nine years!

Their engagement story is like a scene from a romantic movie. Living in San Francisco, they had a hand in designing the engagement ring together, so Grace Ann was expecting a proposal. It happened one evening at Coit Tower, against a panoramic city view,where Abhay proposed. “We popped some champagne and sat and enjoyed the view - it was beautiful,” the couple recalls.

Grace Ann and Abhay spent two years planning their dream wedding. Their vision was clear – “We wanted the look and feel to be timeless and romantic. Our guest's experience was also a top priority for us - we really just wanted everyone to have a fun night!”

They invited 190 guests to join them at The Estate at River Run in Maidens, VA. “We had so many people fly from all over the world to celebrate with us, so just being able to celebrate with all the people we love made the day so special,” they share.

Morning details

The day started with excitement in the air. The couple worked with Paper on the Avenue for their invitations, choosing a traditional design on textured, deckled edge paper, with whimsical elements in the save-the-dates and details card. “We had so much fun working closely with Paper on the Avenue.”

Grace Ann incorporated family heirlooms into her attire as her "something old" and "something borrowed," and included a blue gem and a photo of her late brother as her "something blue."

Bride getting ready

Grace Ann's search for the perfect wedding dress was quite a journey. After trying on over 50 dresses, she found 'the one' at Elegance by Roya – a floral Martina Liana design. “I didn't think I would have a big "aha" moment while trying on dresses, but as soon as I put this one on I fell in love with it - particularly the floral detail and the train. I ended up adding custom straps because I wanted more floral elements,” she recalls.

For the reception, she changed into a dance-friendly dress by Chosen by Kyha. “I knew I was going to want something short and easy to dance in, and I'm so glad I opted for the second dress!”

Grace Ann went with Revelry for the bridesmaids' dresses. She wanted champagne, and satin fabric in various styles so that all of her bridesmaids could pick whatever style they felt most beautiful in.

The bridal suite at the Estate buzzed with excitement as Grace Ann and her 19 bridesmaids enjoyed mimosas and laughter. Grace Ann wanted the "getting ready" portion of the day to be fun for the girls, and “it was so nice to be able to hang out upstairs, drink mimosas, and get glam together.”

Groom getting ready

Abhay and his 16 groomsmen had their share of fun, getting ready in the Estate's pool house, a perfect setting for building up the day's excitement.

First Look

The couple's first look was a private and heartfelt moment under a tree in front of the Estate, where they shared their vows in an intimate setting. “Doing a first look was really important to us. We knew we would want that first moment between the two of us to be private,” the couple reminisces. “We read our vows to each other for the first time during the first look (and then again during the ceremony).”

Photoshoot before the ceremony

Ceremony

Their outdoor ceremony on the Estate's patio, overlooking the James River, was breathtaking. “We wanted an outdoor ceremony, and the space offered the most breathtaking view. We lucked out with really great weather that evening,” they recall.

Grace Ann's brother Baxter officiated, adding a deeply personal touch. “We wanted someone close to us to do the ceremony, and he did such an incredible job!”

The ceremony was set to beautiful string quartet versions of classic love songs, creating a romantic atmosphere.

Wedding Venue & Decor

The Estate at River Run aligned perfectly with their ivory, champagne, and honey-toned decor, complemented by abundant greenery. Every detail reflected their personal style and the romantic vibe they desired.

Reception

The reception was a night filled with love, music, and dancing. The couple’s first dance was to a string quartet rendition of Ed Sheeran's "Kiss Me," followed by touching father/daughter and mother/son dances to "What a Wonderful World." The celebration was a fitting tribute to their love, surrounded by friends and family from across the globe, marking the start of their new life together.