THE WARD CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY ART FALL WEDDING :: MERCEDES + JAIME
When the focus on relationship instead of details creates a nearly neutral palette with meaningful elements and simple design, you may find this sweet couple and their intimate The Ward Center fall wedding. Where should we start? They met a few years ago and didn’t quite hit it off. Jaime was interested in Mercedes, but the spark wasn’t reciprocated. A few months after that, the two meet again, but don’t really connect, and then the situation repeats itself until eventually *it* happens. Their story goes: Over the course of almost three years, they were friends through various trials and tribulations, major life events and most importantly triumphs. Through these experiences, their friendship grew stronger and they became closer. Looking back, those years built the foundation for their relationship today. Isn’t that just the greatest? Let’s take a look at their Petersburg Virginia wedding venue and a few details about their wedding. For any engaged couples in Virginia looking for a neutral backdrop with tall columns, high ceilings, and local art, their Ward Center wedding venue may be a great fit. For Jaime and Mercedes’s Fall wedding, these sweet brides opted for what became a nearly white monochrome, minimalist design for their barely-there wedding theme. Mercedes wore a gorgeous Bernadine by Maggie Sottero wedding dress and carried a baby’s breath bridal bouquet while Jaime (and her side of the wedding party) wore a sleek indigo blue bridal suit from Jim’s Formal Wear. Mercedes’s bridesmaids wore satin rose bridesmaids dresses from Morilee. Bridal party suits, bridesmaids dresses, and wedding dress were all from Sixpence Bridal Boutique. While planning the details for their artsy Petersburg wedding, the two were finding it a challenge to select wedding colors. There are so many combinations! We totally get it. Friends and family would ask, and this pair responded with a quote from Steel Magnolias. Jaime would say, “Our colors are blush and bashful,” and Mercedes followed it up with, “Your colors are pink and pink.” The movie is right about blush being a fairly common wedding color in 1989 and now. It is trendy; you’ll find soft pink throughout our blog in some gorgeous weddings. The funny thing, though, is that their joke became one of their wedding colors and matches what Martha Stewart calls “rose quartz.” It was accompanied by indigo blue, their other wedding color. Jaime and Mercedes chose to handwrite their ceremony with their mothers presenting a ring to each daughter and included an Irish blessing and the Lord’s Prayer in Tagalog, the national language of the Philippines. They even wrote their own vows! Dave and I were so honored to be Mercedes and Jaime’s The Ward Center for Contemporary Art wedding photographer. Here are some of our favorites from their beautiful November wedding in Virginia.
Mercedes’s Bernadine from Maggie Sottero’s Emerald Collection wedding dress is stunning!
So many textures in this one! Wispy tendrils, lace dress, plaster walls, glistening ring, sparkly details on her mom’s dress. We are in love!
That train!
Her Morilee by Madeline Gardner satin rose bridesmaid dresses are so classic!
Look at how sweet their first look was. Jamie has such a calm, steady presence about her, and it’s so easy to see that Mercedes is just so in love with her future wife.
This one. Mercedes’s laughter spreads to the corners in this photo. We were so honored to have been here in this moment.
Stunning crew!
Yay! They did it. Congratulations, Mrs. and Mrs. Ordonez!
So many sweet moments! Their Ward Center for Contemporary Art wedding venue is home to the historic Butterworth’s Furniture building. Even though it currently houses artists’s studios, local art, and a wedding venue, the old logo is still visible from the outside of The Ward Center.
Mercedes and Jaime chose a three-sided frame as their table centerpiece in lieu of something more detailed. Pictures of the couple as children and then together as adults are tucked into each frame. 
Their contrasting expressions during the cake cutting are the best. Jaime’s calm, steady, precision almost supporting Mercedes’s joy. Mrs. and Mrs. Ordonez, it was a great experience being your Petersburg Virginia wedding photographers. We pray that you’re always surrounded by so much love and light in all of the years ahead.
Venue: The Ward Center for Contemporary Art
Bridal Dress: Maggie Sottero from Sixpence Bridal Boutique
Bridal and Wedding Party Suits: Jim’s Formal Wear from Sixpence Bridal
Bridesmaids Dress: Morilee by Madeline Gardner from Sixpence Bridal
Hair and Makeup: Curl Up or Dye Beautiful Kreations
Catering: Champagne Taste
Presented Wedding Cake: Sam’s Club
Served Wedding Cake: Incredible Edibles Bakery
Videographer: Beyond Videography
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Transportation: Taylor’s Classic Travels
Officiant: Phyllis with Joy
Invitations: Minted
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