Wedding at The Old Springhouse | Tyler + Dolly

Photos by Alexandra Kent Photography

Tyler and Dolly embraced their love at The Old Springhouse in the peak of Autumn. They were initially drawn to Reitano by the backdrop of the Shenandoah Mountains – and after seeing these photos, you'll know why.

A Blind Date Leads to Marriage

Read Tyler's point of view on how the couple met:

"Full disclosure: I had never said "yes" to a setup before. I always figured they were doomed—awkward, forced, and mostly for the benefit of the friend who wanted a cute story. So, when my friend asked if I was willing to meet someone, I was already mentally drafting my polite refusal. But then she sent a picture of Dolly. It was a Christmas card she’d taken with her roommates, and the first thing that hit me was her smile. People tell me I have a big smile, but seeing hers? I knew right away she had me beat by a mile. So, somewhat begrudgingly, I broke my own rule.

My plan was to arrange a quick happy hour at a wine bar in DC. Meet at 5:30, have one drink, execute a tactical retreat by 6:30, and get home for dinner and an episode. Solid, efficient, foolproof. What I didn't know was that I was actually date number two of three that Dolly had lined up back-to-back that week! Dolly is an absolute catch, and the fact that she chose me still blows my mind.

Once we sat down, my "tactical retreat" plan evaporated. The conversation flowed so naturally that 6:30 came and went. Then 7:30. Then 8:30. We were still there when the bar finally closed at 10:00 PM. The waiter even gently suggested that sustenance might be required if we wanted to stay, but we were so wrapped up in conversation that we basically ignored him.

I walked her home, feeling great but incredibly nervous because she was way cooler than my awkward self. At her door, in a moment of panicked inspiration, I delivered the ultra-smooth line: "Maybe I will call you sometime." Nailed it.

Thankfully, despite my less-than-stellar closing, I did call. That first date led to fifty more, and now that girl with the amazing smile is my wife. Dolly, you are the greatest light; you constantly show me grace and Jesus's character, and yes, you still have the better smile. I honestly cannot wait to make you forever Young."

When You Know, You Know

After a setup for the history books, the couple soon realized this relationship would last a lifetime. The couple recalled a trip they took to Acadia National Park when they knew marriage was inevitable. After a day of hiking, the pair spent the evening drinking wine and watching the sunset on Cadillac Mountain. It was in this moment that everything felt "right". "There is something special about witnessing the grandeur of nature with the person you love."

"That shared love for the outdoors is actually why we chose to get married near Shenandoah—we wanted that same feeling of natural beauty to anchor our wedding day."

A Surprise Proposal

Tyler pulled off the ultimate surprise when he decided to pop the question. He had friends plan a group trip to the National Arboretum, where he proposed beneath blooming Magnolia trees. Dolly was left speechless! Dolly said, "I had no clue anything was happening until I arrived and saw Tyler standing there, smiling with his hands behind his back." To Dolly, it may have seemed like a spur-of-the-moment gesture; little did she know, Tyler spent weeks scouting the best spots in DC. He knew he wanted a beautiful floral backdrop as Dolly loves flowers. Tyler was also drawn to the blooming Magnolia trees, as "they are one of the oldest living tree species, so there is a good chance there was a magnolia in the Garden of Eden."

However, the surprises didn't stop at the proposal; Tyler also had a secret engagement party waiting back at the house. He made sure all of their favorite people were there, even having friends and family fly in from out of town. "It was just one example of the million ways Tyler goes above and beyond to delight me."

Virginia Wedding Venues

The couple toured several venues around the area. Due to their shorter engagement, venue shopping became a major stressor in the wedding planning process. The pair struggled with finding a venue that didn’t have so many rigid restrictions, so when they toured Reitano, they were drawn to its flexibility. “When we arrived at Reitano, the attitude was completely different. Instead of restrictions, it was about bringing our vision to life.” The cherry on top was the magnificent views surrounding the venue.

The couple had their “ah-ha” moment when they stood on the hillside, overlooking the mountains, and could envision standing there on their wedding day. “It brought the vision to life”. They were able to book a date in the peak of fall foliage, which truly sold their dream.

A Wedding Venue in Nature

The couple wanted to share their love for the outdoors on their wedding day. This drew them to a venue with scenic views, anchored in nature. When touring the venue, "it became evident that the space was just as impressive as the view." The addition of The Villa was another plus for the couple. Dolly felt it was designed with a bride in mind and was perfect for the meaningful moments with her bridesmaids.

The couple also loved meeting the owner, Shelly Cook. They loved her spirit, and Dolly even left saying, "If we don't get married here, I'm going to ask her to mentor me!"

The wedding was inspired by “comfortable elegance”. The pair wanted their aesthetic to show their love of the outdoors in a polished way. This is another way that The Old Springhouse matched their vision as “The high ceilings, open space, and exposed wood beams brought that rustic beauty inside, so even when we were indoors, we felt connected to the landscape.” The venue also provided enough space for guests to roam, dance, and mingle comfortably.

A “Rustic, Faithful, and Autumnal” Wedding

The bride and groom wanted their celebration to be focused on others. Their priority for the day was to highlight God’s glory, sharing their spirituality with guests. They also wanted guests to experience a warm and inviting atmosphere.

They brought the community experience full circle by using their friends' talents throughout the day. One made the cakes, one sang during the ceremony, and they each had large wedding parties to honor those who had walked through life with them.

Their love for the Lord anchored the day together. They focused on faith, encouraging their pastor to share the Gospel with guests. The bride and groom wanted to share the importance of God in their relationship and how He brought the two together.

Bride and Groom “Favorites”

With a day full of love, fun, and special moments, it’s hard to pick a favorite. However, the pair loved their ceremony the most, sharing their commitment in front of all their loved ones.

Another standout moment was their “first-look”. This gave the couple an intimate time to share vows and take it all in, just the two of them. This became a core memory they will cherish forever.

Another special moment was their rehearsal dinner. Because they had the venue for the whole weekend, they were able to spend extra time with all their loved ones. At their dinner, guests were able to speak, and “person after person came up to share stories that made us laugh and cry.”

Of course, every wedding day feels like it flies by, so it’s important to stay present in each moment. The couple says they loved seeing the candid photos with guests throughout the day after receiving their photos. It’s easy to miss parts of the day, and having the moments frozen in time is beyond special. Looking back, the pair thought, “Wow, that really was an incredible day."

The “we’re married” didn’t set in until they sat down for dinner. Once the bride and groom began their first dance, they were able to slow down, take a breath, and soak in their new reality. They were finally husband and wife.

The Day Of

Wedding Surprises

On the day, the weather gave the couple a fortunate surprise. The forecast changed from cold rain to the perfect fall day! They were also surprised by how fast the timeline moved throughout the day. “You spend months planning this single event, and then it is here and gone in a moment's notice.”

The Old Springhouse

The bride said, “It was surreal to see our vision board come to life.” They used Reitano wine bottles as vases, which worked out beautifully. It was absolutely stunning seeing the floral arrangements come in and the room be fully set for the day.

Guest Experiences

Tyler and Dolly’s guests raved about the views. Being from the city, many were not used to seeing the peak of nature. For guests traveling, “getting out into the mountains and seeing that fall foliage was a treat in itself.” Guests also complimented the space. They enjoyed being able to step out onto the patio for some fresh air and cocktails, and then could return for dancing and socializing. “It felt like a true getaway for everyone.”