Mallory and Jon were married on 26th July 2025 at Mankin Mansion in Richmond, Virginia, a historic house that was just the right size for their guests and so full of character it barely needed dressing at all. Their day was photographed by Kaitlyn Burdette Photography, whose work Mallory had followed for a while before booking her, and whose film photography is absolutely beautiful.
Mallory is a fashion professor, and when it came to her own wedding dress there was only ever one person who could make it. She designed and made the gown herself and wore it with a cathedral-length veil, while her favourite blue found its way into just about everything else.
The couple first met on Hinge, bonding over the arts and a shared sense of humour, and Jon proposed at a picnic in Byrd Park in May 2023 with a little help from their friends. Here, Mallory tells the rest of their story.
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We didn’t have a set colour scheme at first, but my favourite colour is blue, so suddenly everything was blue!
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My father walked me down the aisle to Stand By Me (the Florence & The Machine cover). Our ceremony was officiated by Daniel Timms. We wrote our own vows and got Jon’s uncle to officiate and read a story/poem.
How They Met
Jon and I met on Hinge when I was 21, and he was 22. We bonded over the arts, as well as our shared sense of humour. We got engaged in May 2023. He planned a picnic for us in Byrd Park, and had my housemate take photos, and his housemate record the whole proposal.
I suspected something was going to happen the whole day, but I was still completely surprised when our friends jumped out of the bushes with cameras, and he pulled out the ring.
The Reception
Mankin Mansion was the perfect size for our guest count. We love all the adornments and the fact that we did not have to do much to dress it up.
My favourite parts were dancing until my knees gave out, and the initial moments after the ceremony, when Jon and I got to let it all sink in.
If I could do anything differently, I would have ditched my veil haha. It just got in the way and I took it off right after the ceremony.
Words of Wedded Wisdom
Don’t let others convince you to add add add when it comes to decor, services etc. If you have good food, good music, good drinks, and good people, it will be a good time.
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