Photo: Abby Jiu Photography
Both Carly Zipp and Jordan Garbis grew up in the Baltimore, Maryland area, but they didn't meet until December 13, 2012, when mutual friends finally set them up in New York City. The two hit it off over dinner at BLT Fish and drinks at a speakeasy and, just a year and a day later, Jordan surprised Carly with a trip to Mexico and a proposal on the beach in Cancun. "I came home from work to find a suitcase with only a bathing suit in it," she remembers. "The next morning, I was blindfolded on a plane with no idea of our destination!"
For their August 23, 2014 wedding, the self-proclaimed party couple invited 300 guests to the Salamander Resort & Spa in Middlebury, Virginia for a black-tie weekend (with a literal black-tie theme!) in horse country.
Keep reading to see Abby Jiu Photography's gorgeous photos of the fun-filled celebration, as planned by Lindsay Landman, below!
Photo: Abby Jiu Photography
For their invitation suite, Carly and Jordan worked with Ceci Johnson of Ceci New York to incorporate their bow tie theme in a fancy yet whimsical turquoise and gold design. Hint: Look closely at the envelope liner to spot the bow ties!
The bride found her strapless Monique Lhuillier gown at Mark Ingram Atelier in New York City, where she spent 3.5 hours at her first fitting. "I always wanted a dress that made me feel like a ballerina with a modern touch," she says. "I'd never seen anything like this and that's exactly what I wanted."
She paired her asymmetrical lace dress with Chanel heels with a crystal bow, which Jordan spotted in the shoe salon at Saks Fifth Avenue, and an all white bouquet of roses, hydrangeas, and dahlias.
Photo: Abby Jiu Photography
The groom looked equally classic in a Giorgio Armani tux, Gucci dress shoes, and monogrammed suspenders. He topped his lapel with a white dahlia boutonniere.
Carly and Jordan exchanged personalized vows under a white chuppah made of arched willow branches, phalaenopsis and dendrobium orchids, and roses.
After cocktail hour on the lawn, the group headed back inside to find their bow tie-shaped escort cards on a wall of more than 2,000 white carnations.
During the three-course meal, which included Maryland blue crab as a nod to the couple's home state, guests sat at dinner tables lined with sequin runners, floating candles on glass pillars of varying heights, and black vases filled with white hydrangeas, phalaenopsis orchids, dahlias, and roses.
Photo: Abby Jiu Photography
Carly and Jordan spent the evening on the bow tie-adorned dance floor, which was inspired by the floor at Fontainebleu in Miami, dancing to hits from the Backstreet Boys, Fergie, Beyoncé (Carly's fav!), and The Rolling Stones.
After a night cap of jello shots and mini ice cream sandwiches, the newlyweds hosted a Sunday brunch before jetting off to St. Lucia's Viceroy Sugar Beach for a mini honeymoon.
Carly's advice for big-day planning? "Invest in a planner," she says. "They will help you keep our vision, timing, organization, and budget on track."
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Salamander Resort & Spa || Wedding Planner: Lindsay Landman Events || Bride's Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier || Shoes: Chanel || Hair & Makeup: Claudine Fay || Groom's tux: Giorgio Armani || Florist: Holly Chapple Flowers || Invitations: Ceci New York || Rentals: Nuage Designs || Music: Hank Lane Music and Productions,Kevin Osborne Band, and DJ Allison Kinney || Catering: Salamander Resort and Spa || Cake: Jason Reaves for Salamander Resort and Spa || Videography: Valerie Barnes Film || Lighting: Fusion Lighting || Photo Booth: Bash Booths DC || Photography: Abby Jiu Photography
Want more wedding inspiration? Watch another black-tie wedding come to life in the below video!