Bethany and Mike’s Rose Hill Manor wedding in Leesburg, Virginia was a dance party extravaganza against the backdrop of a classy, historic mansion venue. The building’s traditional Georgian architecture feels thoroughly timeless, but this crowd was anything but stuffy! With a sprinkle of musical genres from country to pop punk, this was a group that knew how to have a good time.
Photographer Lynn Dunston brought out the romantic side of the day. She’s particularly gifted at capturing the quiet, intimate moments of a wedding. She can make a couple look like they’re completely alone, even when they’re surrounded by people. It’s a gift!
Bethany and Mike set up their venue a bit differently than most couples. We often see weddings with the ceremony outside in a lovely setting, followed by an indoor or tented reception. For their celebration at Rose Hill Manor, Bethany and Mike swapped things around.
Their ceremony was held in the Grand Ballroom at the manor, where the stately columns and polished wood floors brought elegance and class to the occasion. Then, they headed outside for the tented brick patio for the reception where they could kick back and have a great time. It was a super smart way to get the best out of multiple locations at this stunning mansion.
While the guests gathered, DJ Jordan set the mood with string and piano music from groups like The Piano Guys. Then the bridal party and Bethany made their entrance to the Guitar Tribute Players’ version of Fire and the Flood by Vance Joy. After the ceremony, the couple set a much different vibe with Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne, which was a blast!
The wedding party and the bride and groom made their entrances into the reception tent to Mean to Me by Brett Eldredge. Mike and Bethany went right into their first dance, to the same song. Then Bethany and her father danced to What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong, and Mike and his mom danced to My Wish by Rascal Flatts.
Once the dance floor was open, it was packed all night long. The playlist had an early 2000s-slant, with “must play” songs like:
- 1985 by Bowling for Soup
- Mr. Brightside by The Killers
- I Knew the Bride When She Used to Rock And Roll by Nick Lowe
- All the Small Things by Blink-182
For the bouquet toss, no Shania Twain or Beyoncé here—instead, the couple went full hair band with Def Leppard’s Pour Some Sugar on Me. For the last song of the night, Bethany and Mike went a different direction yet again, choosing With Arms Wide Open by Creed.
We had so much fun bringing Bethany and Mike’s playful music choices to life at their Leesburg, VA wedding, just across the Potomac River from Maryland. And we’d love to do the same for you!
If you’re planning a wedding, hit us up. Let’s talk about your wedding date, musical style, and how we can make your wedding a day to remember.
All photos by Lynn Dunston Photography
Published on:
Friday, July 9, 2021
