Great Gatsby Wedding in Virginia by Keith Cephus Photography- Bathsheba + Wilson

Bathsheba Bryant and Wilson Tarpeh, Jr.’s love story literally unfolded from the beginning of their courtship. The two could not see each other often so they poured out their hearts in good old-fashioned, handwritten love letters. Bathsheba describes the twosome’s journey in a way that will have you pulling out your pen and stationary: ” It really was an old-fashioned very true romance. In one of the letters I wrote “I think I am falling in love with you” and he replied that he felt the same way. We still have those letters and they are kept in a safe little box.”

And staying true to their old-school romance, style, and vision…the couple had a 1920s vintage-inspired wedding that took timeless love to new heights. They couldn’t have written a more beautiful, love story.

The day was captured by Keith Cephus Photography at The Mill at Fine Creek in Powhatan, Virginia. You can click here to see more of this wedding in the gallery.

Bride – Bathsheba Bryant
Groom – Wilson Tarpeh, Jr.
Wedding date – July 7, 2012

Wedding Planning
From the beginning Wilson and I set out to have a 1920s inspired vintage styled wedding. I wanted it to be very dreamy, whimsical, and romantic and we kept true to our initial vision. Wilson and I love the sophistication and class of the 1920s and we infused this look into every aspect of our wedding. Our color scheme was ivory, blush, soft peach and champagne. Crystals, pearls, lace and feathers were part of the decor to create a real vintage feel.

My wedding ceremony was outdoors among beautiful, natural greenery in the ruins of the old Mill that is an historical landmark in Powhatan, Virginia. I loved the ruins as the setting for our ceremony. It was very organic and rustic looking but still was simple and elegant enough to mesh well with the gorgeous, soft romantic colors and decor of the wedding. It really made for an absolutely stunning overall look for the ceremony. It was as if you stepped back in time to a vintage dreamland.

It was really important to us that we had a venue in which the ceremony and reception could both take place. We had a wonderful jazz band that played music from the 1920s such as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.

Culture

I knew that I wanted a very simple and sweet ceremony. I knew I wanted to do something unique and not the traditional unity candle or pouring of the sand. Wilson and I did the Tasting of the Four Elements ritual. This is a tradition, which originated in the Yoruba tribes of West Africa. We tasted four spices, which symbolized the different emotions within a relationship. The sour lemon represented how one may feel from compromising. The bitter vinegar stands for the bitterness you feel when you are going through challenges. The spicy Cayenne represented the hot passion in a marriage and the sweet taste of honey was last to illustrate that you must go through bad times to get to the sweet rewards when you cherish your relationship.

Vendors

• Wedding Dress & bridesmaid dresses- brittanyleighbridal.com
• Veil & Grooms Attire – LOK Custom Fashions, Inc – lokdesign.com
• Make-up – Tish Perkins – muabytish.com
• Hair – Shakeita Collins – Replica of Im-ij
• Wedding & Reception – The Mill at Fine Creek, Powhatan, Virginia –themillatfinecreek.com
• Photography – Keith Cephus Photography – keithcephus.com
• Videographer – Matt Buerhaus Design – buerhausdesign.com
• Wedding Planner – Sarah-Jane Bennett All Events Perfect- alleventsperfect.com
• Floral Design – Mary Henry M. Henry Designs- mhenryflowers.com
• Cakes & Cupcakes – The Desserterie – thedesserterie.com
• Stationary – Bird’s Nest Design Studio
• Feather Fans – IvynDell
• Cake Topper – OYAMAart
• Wedding Sign – Vintage Shore
• Vintage Car – Gill’s Limousine Service – gillslimousine.com
• Jazz Band – Tolliver & Company
• Harpist – Virginia Schweninger – virginiasharp.com
• DJ – Reggie Campbell – choiceentertainment.com
• Lighting – Aviva Rental Systems