After nearly a decade together, Olivia (née Edgerton) and Zach Stone celebrated their marriage with a vibrant black-tie wedding in Aldie, Virginia, surrounded by 140 guests, that reflected their shared love of design, travel, food, music, and the people who have shaped their lives.

The pair first met at UC Davis in 2015 during Olivia’s first year of college and Zach’s third. Sharing the same friend group, they quickly became inseparable, spending time at baseball games, favorite local hangouts, and eventually navigating a long-distance relationship between California and Arizona. Nearly nine years later, they were living together in Washington, DC, with their beloved dachshund, Gus.

Their engagement unfolded during a trip that perfectly reflected their adventurous spirit. “We are HUGE travelers and foodies,” shares Olivia. In August 2023, the couple embarked on a journey through the Azores Islands, Lisbon, and Marrakech. On the first day of their trip, despite pouring rain and an unexpected change of plans, Zach proposed during a sightseeing excursion that culminated in a surprise outdoor picnic. “It was truly the best day, and we got to spend the rest of our adventures celebrating,” recalls the bride.

When it came to planning their wedding day once they returned home, Olivia relied heavily on her wedding planner and her mother, who was her rock throughout the entire planning process. “It was nice to lean on my mom when it came to thinking about the guest experience, where everyone was sitting and the more internal logistics, and leaning on Kylie [our wedding planner] for just about every crazy thought that popped into my head,” she says.

The couple selected a gorgeous garden wedding venue as the setting for their celebration, drawn by its accessibility for guests traveling from across the country and its proximity to Washington, DC. What began as a venue search centered on finding an outdoor setting quickly evolved into a fully realized design vision. “I studied design in college and decided this was an opportunity to truly create a dream from the ground up based on my vision,” explains Olivia. Inspired by the venue’s natural beauty, she embraced its “whimsical/magical vibe” and used that as the foundation for every design decision.

“Everything from our wedding was bright, colorful, and curated to feel fun and lively, but the people who helped bring that energy to life were our friends and family.”

A custom tent became the focal point of the wedding aesthetic. “The greenhouse tent was our inspiration for the entire wedding, once we decided on building it for our big day,” shares the bride. Every detail – from the flooring and dance floor to the wildflower-inspired florals, tablescapes, linens, and candlelight – was thoughtfully selected to complement and enhance the structure’s beauty.

Guests first experienced hints of what was to come through the elegant ceremony and cocktail gardens, before entering the dreamlike reception space. Lush floral arrangements and candlelit tables transformed the tent into an enchanting garden setting, creating the atmosphere Olivia had envisioned from the beginning.

The celebration reflected the couple’s personality at every turn. “I wanted the wedding to incorporate the things we love the most,” says Olivia. “Good food and drinks that people enjoy, in an environment you want to never leave, with music you can’t help but sing.” Music played a central role throughout the evening, from a saxophone performer during cocktail hour to a carefully curated soundtrack that kept guests on the dance floor all night long.

For wedding favors, guests received custom totes featuring an illustration of the greenhouse, painted by the artist who designed the couple’s invitations. The wedding welcome bags were filled with personal favorites, including Fisher’s caramel popcorn from Ocean City, Maryland, cookies decorated with their dog Gus wearing a tuxedo, and a selection of late-night essentials and snacks.

The couple’s wedding cake offered a playful nod to nostalgia. Olivia chose a vanilla-frosted cake with cherries and “Just Married” in cursive lettering. Finished with a strawberry buttercream – both the bride and groom’s favorite flavor – the confection perfectly balanced whimsy and tradition.

Among the day’s most emotional moments was Olivia’s walk down the aisle. “My heart was racing, and it was the first and only time of the day I was nervous,” she remembers. The reception, too, proved equally unforgettable. “[Our band from EastCoast Entertainment] brought the exact energy I was looking for,” she describes. “Songs you want to scream along to with your best friends at a bar or songs that you blast when you're getting ready to go out for a night with your friends.” The result was exactly what she had hoped for: a celebration that felt more like a concert, with guests singing along and fully immersed in the moment.

Looking back, Olivia wouldn’t change a thing about their late-summer wedding. Her advice to couples planning their own nuptials is simple: “Don't stress about the little things, it will all work out.” She continues, “The people and your future partner are truly what matter, and all the other things will fall into place. Don’t fear the uncontrollable. Your loved ones will bring the energy you bring and more, so kick off your shoes and let loose.”

In fact, the best part of their day wasn’t a design detail or a carefully planned moment, it was their favorite people who brought the celebration to life. “Everything from our wedding was bright, colorful, and curated to feel fun and lively,” reflects Olivia, “but the people who helped bring that energy to life were our friends and family.”