A Two-Part Wedding With a Western Colorado Ceremony and a Bohemian Virginia Reception

It was clearly love at first swipe for Holly Sargeant and Matt Robillard who matched on not one, but two different dating apps in 2014. After exchanging a few messages, they decided to meet up in person at a speakeasy in Washington D.C. Right off the bat, the two of them felt a natural rapport, so they didn’t feel the need to fall back on surface-level small talk. “Matt still remembers leaving the date feeling so good, but still knowing very little about Holly because they spent the entire time laughing and joking rather than asking the obvious questions,” the couple remembers. The date ended up lasting five hours, and the two of them would have kept talking if it weren’t for the restaurant closing.

Since Holly and Matt saw a future together, five years later, they started searching for a new city to move to. When a snowstorm postponed their trip to Minneapolis, they opted for a staycation in Baltimore at the Hotel Revival. Matt saw it as the perfect opportunity to pop the question on the hotel’s rooftop garden. “After a few minutes of gazing out at the city, Matt told Holly there was another reason why they were up there, and he got down on one knee and proposed,” the duo recalls. “We spent the next hour enjoying the garden and calling friends and family while sipping on celebratory champagne.”

Initially, the pair intended to tie the knot on June 6, 2020, but due to COVID, they had to postpone their nuptials to the following year on July 10, 2021. Since the couple wanted to focus on connection as the focal point of their vow swap, they opted for an intimate guest list with just 20 of their closest friends and family members. They knew Dunton Hot Springs in Dolores, Colorado, would help create a meaningful experience for their guests while providing a picturesque backdrop. “Dunton was not only the place we envisioned exchanging our vows, but also the place we knew our guests would—without a doubt—be taken care of during an unforgettable mountain getaway,” they say. With help from Heather Dwight of Calluna Events, the pair executed a moody aesthetic painted in rich textures and tones, and Cara Mia captured it all on camera.

Exactly one month later, on August 10, 2021, the newlyweds hosted a larger reception with 104 guests. Holly and Matt wanted a venue that was easily accessible for most of their friends and family in the Washington D.C. area, so they chose Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards in North Garden, Virginia. This time, they chose an organic theme featuring playful patterns and colorful touches. Again, Calluna Events helped their big day come to life, with photography by Kai Villanueva. Read on to see the stunning details behind each celebration.

Before the duo recited their vows, they hosted a Western-inspired rehearsal dinner with a “cowboy chic” dress code. “Everyone got really into dressing up, and it was such an enjoyable way to settle into Dunton’s rustic-chic vibe,” they note. The bride and groom also went all out with their attire. While Holly rocked a white lace MISA set with a leather belt and cowboy boots, Matt wore a denim button-up shirt. They both topped off their outfits with cowboy hats.

Holly created a flawless base for her natural wedding makeup look by prepping her skin with One Love Easy Does It Foaming Cleanser, Maya Chia Super Couple Oil, and Josh Rosebrook SPF Nutrient Day Cream every day, along with Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask every few weeks. She had her hair pulled back in a sleek low bun to show off the back of her dress.

Holly made a statement in her long-sleeve mermaid gown with beaded floral appliqués, a plunging neckline, sheer detailing, an open back, and a detachable tulle skirt by Galia Lahav. “I wanted a dramatic gown to match the expansiveness of the venue setting,” the bride explains. After visiting four different bridal salons without much luck, the bride-to-be attended the Israeli designer’s trunk show, where she found the one. “I loved the dress when I first tried it on,” she reminisces. “The long-sleeve beaded detailing sparkled in the light, and I felt like myself. When they helped me put on the large embellished skirt, it absolutely sealed the deal. I felt authentic and beautiful.”

For the finishing touches, Holly donned diamond earrings from Love Adorned, white Alexandre Birman heels, a Cult Gaia rhinestone clutch, and a sweeping veil from a&bé Bridal Shop.

After Matt changed into his custom navy Bespoke Edge suit with a paisley lining in maroon, orange, and blue tones, the bride and groom savored a first look in a nearby meadow. “When he turned around to see me, he had the most beautifully genuine reaction, and the world melted away,” Holly shares. “It was just us in a field of daisies, living the dream.” 

The couple’s vow swap took place amid the alpines of the Colorado Rockies. An aisle of Turkish and woven rugs created a pathway to a wooden triangular arch adorned with flowers. Friends and family took their seats in leather, mango wood, or fur-covered chairs, which added an eclectic edge to the setup.

Before the mother of the bride escorted Holly down the aisle to the tune of “Instrumental in C,” she gave her daughter an embroidered handkerchief that once belonged to the bride’s grandmother. They attached the sentimental object to the stem of Holly’s whimsical bouquet, so both of her female role models were present while the bride made her entrance.

To kick off the ceremony, the couple’s officiant, Joel Davis, told Holly and Matt’s love story. Then, the bride and groom expressed personal promises that they made to one another. “It was important for us to write our own vows because we wanted our ceremony to feel personal to us,” the couple remarks. Once they were pronounced husband and wife, the newlyweds recessed to “I Will Wait” by Mumford & Sons.

The bride removed her overskirt to reveal a chic fitted gown underneath for the rest of the celebration.

A leather coach draped with fur and fringe throw blankets, wooden chairs with geometric patterns on the pillows, and a black-and-white printed rug helped achieve the couple’s moody, Western-inspired look. 

In addition to the lounge area, if guests wanted to take a break from dancing, they could pose for photos in the vintage Volkswagen bus, which was converted into a photo booth.

At the reception, friends and family found their seats on watercolor place cards, which were painted with illustrations of a bear, moose, deer, or fox to complement the natural setting. Holly and Matt wanted to keep their tables bare to showcase the wooden material, which enhanced their Western theme—along with the acacia wood chargers. Black plates, black linen napkins, matte black flatware, and burgundy glassware played a part in evoking the moody vibe they were going for. 

To finish off dinner, the newlyweds served a single-tier apple spice cake covered in whipped cream. Fresh flowers, dried foliage, and feathers appeared as if they were growing out of the confection. The couple supplemented the main dessert with mini cupcakes.  

Holly and Matt warmed up the dance floor while swaying to “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne, which singer-songwriter Ryan Hutchens performed live.

While listening to speeches and toasts, the duo sipped on their signature cocktail. They chose a spicy margarita dubbed “The Spicy Sprollie” as an ode to their dog, Kota, who is a border collie and English springer spaniel mix.

A month after the duo made their marriage official, Matt got to be a groom once again. For the second time around, he sported another Bespoke Edge ensemble: a custom tan suit lined with a floral pattern. “[He] wanted to wear a very earth-toned outfit to match the greenery and aesthetic of the venue,” the couple says. Matt also accomplished this look by accessorizing with a floral tie that Holly gifted to him, as well as brown Cole Haan shoes.

For Holly’s second wedding dress, she sported a bohemian look to coordinate with the natural aesthetic. The bride settled on a halter-neck, fit-and-flare Rue de Seine style adorned with tassels and floral lace. “It was so fun! I wanted something nontraditional, and this was the perfect party dress,” the bride says of her gown. Her half-up hairstyle affixed with flowers and understated makeup look also helped create this effortless vibe.

Holly carried a colorful assortment of blooms that popped against her bridal whites, and the king protea stole the spotlight. She also slipped a technicolor corsage onto her wrist.

While the couple’s initial first look felt sentimental and somber, their second outfit reveal—which took place in the vineyards—was more playful. “We were silly and goofy and just having fun together,” they express.

Friends and family grabbed paper escort cards marked with their names before taking a seat at the reception.

At this soirée, Holly and Matt focused on designing a statement-making lounge area. Leather furniture, wooden chairs, velvet cushions, and a cowhide rug brought the space to life.

The newlyweds had their reception space transformed into an organic oasis with hanging greenery, rattan lanterns, wooden chairs, and neutral tablecloths. Bright floral centerpieces were juxtaposed with a black-and-white geometric runner and black napkins, which created visual intrigue. Gold flatware and napkin rings added a hint of glimmer to the tablescape.

Music was a huge priority for this phase of festivities, so Holly and Matt enlisted Steel Toe Stiletto to bring the energy. The couple gushes, “We were thrilled with our band’s performance! It was special for us to dance with all of our friends and family to share in the merriment of our love.”

One ceremony and two receptions later, and the couple would do it all over again. Although planning multiple days of events was overwhelming at times, staying true to themselves helped clarify their vision. “Do what feels right for you and your partner,” Holly and Matt advise. “It can be hard with so many different options, but remember that this is your special day.”