Photographed by Kailey Kercher

Even as the weather heats up in Hampton Roads, we’re dreaming of the Esber Waters Wedding we hosted on December 30th, 2023. It had all the cozy and magical coastal winter wedding vibes you could ask for! In a time of year when our South Courtyard is cold and unblooming, the Esber Waters Wedding brought it to life with the warmth of loved ones coming together to celebrate Jayli and Asa.

Since it has been more than a year since we were lucky enough to be a part of such a big day for the couple, we reached back out to relive the day together and see how they were doing. We are very grateful they agreed to answer some quick questions we had about their story so we could share it with all of you!

Jayli and Asa’s love story begins at Anderson University in South Carolina, where they were both students. They met through mutual friends for the first time at Homecoming during their freshman year. Throughout the year, they became closer and began falling for each other sophomore year. After graduation and dating for a while, they planned on moving to Williamsburg so Jayli could attend law school. Asa, who knew very quickly that he was in love with Jayli and was in it for the long haul, decided it was time to ask the big question!

Jayli has always known she wanted a winter wedding. The aesthetic of nature in the winter was important in her vision of her wedding day. She was also very interested in a unique wedding venue. All signs pointed to the Huntington Package and, most importantly, the South Courtyard. It was outside but enclosed to block out some of the wind and filled with foliage that perfectly encapsulated the winter forest glade look she wanted. Though Jayli would wish to have her wedding outside even if it was snowing, she said the inside of the Huntington Room was so beautiful that she would have been equally happy to do the whole thing there instead. However, we were determined to do all we could to make her winter wedding dreams come true.

On the big day, the couple was most excited to see so many friends and family members and have them all be together, many of whom hadn’t met before. They felt the struggle to make sure they were spending time with loved ones as they got older and life pulled them in many directions. Throughout the planning process, the couple prioritized using as many local vendors as possible with a community-minded focus. This was incredibly evident on the day of their event, watching the vendors and guests come together as one giant community to rally around Jaily and Asa.

Their wedding day incorporated many unique aspects, such as a coffee hour instead of a cocktail hour and serving their guests lunch after their first dance. From the beginning, they were very intentional in designating a time to interact with all of their guests one-on-one and thought serving them lunch would be the perfect opportunity to do that.

They also planted an olive tree during their ceremony, which they lovingly named Oman. While many of us worry we will only remember the things that do not go according to plan on such a big day, the couple looked back affectionately on one of the only real hiccups of the day. The pot that was supposed to become Oman’s new home got lost in the hustle and bustle. While their pastor read a liturgy that Jayli helped write, the couple tried their best to mime planting the tree. Guests were none the wiser, and it has become a funny story they can laugh about for years to come. For anyone wondering, Oman is reportedly doing very well!

When asked about some of the things they do remember most from the big day, they recounted memories of going through the process with The Mariners’ and seeing everything come together. As we are a unique wedding venue, we also have unique restrictions to protect our Collection. Jayli and Asa expressed their gratitude for the Venue Experiences team taking the time to ensure their vision and opinions were at the forefront, often offering any solution or alternative possible to restrictions. On the day, Asa expressed how amazing it was seeing their concept become a reality. From the top down, he knew everyone was there to make sure their day was everything they dreamed of, from Protection Services to the Custodial staff. You can dream of what your wedding will look like, but watching it come together in real-time is truly magical. When you see all your hard work pay off and become everything you hoped for, you know it’s time to get ready to celebrate with the love of your life, friends, and family.

Thank you to the vendors who helped make our couple’s big day a dream come true!

Drop-Off Catering: Saffron Kitchen
Coffee Stand: Craze Coffee
Photography: By Kailey Kercher