Images: Vness Photography via Two Bright Lights
Hold onto your butts Romancers, today’s vintage drive-in wedding is TOO DIE FOR. There was SO MUCH DIY in this wedding that it’ll make your facemelt. But first, let’s just talk about how insanely cool this wedding venue is – a freakin’ drive-in! I LOVE IT. The bride & groom met while on tour, as they are both talented musicians with a love of vintage cars. Well doesn’t that just make a drive-in the perfect place for their wedding?! Their entire day was DIYed, from the flowers, to the cake, to even the bride’s shoes! Check out so many awesome details below.
Kris has always told Michelle she has a “classic” beauty, so when it came time to “say yes to the dress”, she knew it had to be a classic style. All the outfits and accessories, Alfred Sung dresses, suits, shoes, the veil bow, the DIY bouquets, were selected with a 60’s timeframe in mind to match Michelle and Kris’s looks alongside the look of the classic car.
Michelle’s heels were bought and designed by Michelle, and painted by Kris.
Our wedding revolved around two pieces: Kris’s car and the Drive-in. The car’s color scheme is a deep red and pearlescent white, and that was the color choice Michelle maintained for the wedding party. On the other hand, the drive-in’s colors are salmon and teal so the cake (a mini-drive in) and many of their paper goods (ceremony bulletin, thank you cards, etc) followed the color scheme of the venue.
They met on-tour, but their first date was putting a small block engine together in Kris’s garage. They both grew up in-love with old cars: Michelle’s first car was a ’74 Dodge Dart, and his was a ’72 Chevy Chevelle, and Kris had been restoring his current ’69 Chevelle for over 10 years. When they decided to get married, Michelle offered Kris a deal: let’s get married at a drive-in, but only if you promise to have your car done in time for the wedding to drive us to the altar. Kris instantly agreed, and the rest was history and a lot of hard work.
The particular location in Lexington, VA, HULLS DRIVE-IN, was chosen because of its perfectly-preserved look of the 1950s, speaker boxes and all, and its convenience as a middle-ground between families. Jeremy Reter, Hull’s wonderful director, sealed the deal with his excitement, flexibility, and professionalism as he helped to bring their vision to life.
ALL the DIY projects:
Invitations and RSVPS were designed by Michelle Abrahamson & individually hand-cut and sorted for hours with: Marisa Howard, Suzette Abrahamson, Paula Bell. Flowers were selected, bought, and designed by Michelle Abrahamson. Marisa Howard was invaluable help, previously a professional florist. The cake was hand-made by Linda Scott, it was hands-down the best cake of all time, a layered lemon-crème cake. Michelle created the movie screen and sign, and Michelle’s dad found the old car models.
Even the ceremony had DIY elements, as the altar was built by the bride’s dad!
We’d like to thank the locals of Lexington, VA who graciously lent their antique vehicles for the “look”.
Michelle Abrahamson’s set (Ring, Necklace, Earrings) was designed by Michelle and was created by QUINN’S GOLDSMITH in Woodbridge, Va.
Do as the Romans do: our buffet was traditional drive in faire: Burgers, fries, mozzarella sticks, and sodas for the reception
Vendors ~> Photographer: Vness Photography | Venue & Catering: Hull’s Drive In | Makeup: Ashley Swilley with Souille Noir | Bridesmaids Dress: Dessy | Cake: Made by Friend | Flowers: Made by Friend
