THE MAEWOOD JOURNAL

Mr. & Mrs. Dougherty

Real Weddings

January 29, 2024

Rustic Woodland Wedding

Amidst the vibrant hues of Fall leaves, we witnessed pure whimsy at Julia and Andy’s rustic fairytale woodland wedding at the Stone Mill Inn in York, PA.

From the charming forest venue adorned with warm, earthy tones to the rustic-chic decor that perfectly complemented the season, and the boho-inspired bridal attire that exuded autumn elegance, our couple’s celebration was a dream come true.

Their love story unfolded among the rustling leaves and woodland wildlife, looking like it was straight out of Lorien from Lord of the Rings.

The Proposal

Julia and Andy’s proposal story is as charming as the woodland venue itself. Covertly, Andy orchestrated a surprise proposal at Pinnacle Overlook. This spot was a place filled with sentimental memories from one of their first hikes together. Coordinating with The MaeWood Collective under the guise of picking up a chandelier, Andy continued the ruse and noted that their pickup connection had been delayed.

Craftily, he asked Julia to wait for their connection at the nearby overlook. They walked out to the edge where a beautifully decorated picnic area surrounded by pampas grass, textured blankets, pillows, and candles awaited. Then, Andy knelt on one knee to ask the question he had so painstakingly planned for. Clearly, Julia said YES!

Click here to read more about their engagement story here!

Unique Touches with Pastoral Elegance

Cut to the wedding day! Every detail of the wedding was carefully curated to reflect Julia and Andy’s personalities:

Hand-lettering, a personal favorite of Julia, adorned various elements
A live string quartet to usher the guests and wedding party into the ceremony
The seating chart with the message “It Takes a Village” celebrated the supportive community that surrounded them
Their love for travel and national parks was woven into the decor with handwritten postcards from parks they’ve visited together
Julia’s younger brother, Jack, performed the service, highlighting the importance and closeness of family
Adorably, the rings were delivered down the aisle by the couple’s sweet pup, Willow
Deliciously homemade biscuits a la Ted Lasso, thanks to the mother of the groom!
Featured signature drinks, including the sentimental “Truckee Mule” (a drink of the family’s own creation from a memorable trip) and the couple’s favorite: The Old Fashioned
Portraits under The Stone Mill Inn’s Moongate, a portent of good fortune and prosperity to those who cross its threshold.

Rustic Woodland Wedding Fashion

Fittingly, Julia’s vision of a romantic, lacy wedding dress came to life at K&B Bridal Shop, designed by Lillian West. The dress featured floral lace, mesh straps for support, and a stunning long train. Meanwhile, Andy’s attire, sourced from various places like Hello Molly, Baltic Born, and Nuuly, reflected a blend of style and personal touch. Bridesmaids were adorned in earth tone dresses from Azazie, which added a touch of fall elegance.

A love note from Karman

While The MWC is a team, this wedding was extra special for Meg. She and Julia have known each other since Julia played soccer for Meg in 9th grade (back when Meg’s last name was still Karman). Even though EVERYONE on our team has so much love for Julia and Andy, the following is a love note from Karman to the couple that she wrote after the festivities concluded…

Dear Jules…

I am literally bawling at how beautiful everything about today was (yes, I’m just NOW able to start putting ALL the feelings into words on the eve of your wedding) & how beautiful you & Andy are & just how much I love the shit out of you both!!!!

Tonight was special to me on so many levels, but getting to see you as the most radiantly happy version of you I’ve ever witnessed (& we’ve experienced a lot of different versions of ourselves together, kid, from the soccer fields to the classroom to prom dress shopping & everything in between)…

…that was downright magical ✨😭

You GLOWED today, Jules.

Absolutely shimmered with love. Andy makes you shine like you truly deserve to!!!!!

I am so proud of you. In absolute awe of your strength & resilience & pure goodness. Of the incredible human you’ve become, especially in the face of the adversity you have overcome on a lot of different fronts. The mountains you have climbed, both figurative & literal, to find what sets your soul aflame. The heart you have because of & despite it all.

I am so grateful to have your light still in my life after all this time. Half of your years on earth. A third of mine (holy hell, I’m old!).

I hope you know it, but just in case…

You were a lighthouse for me. During some of the darkest moments of my adult life, you kept me aloft. Kept me coming back to school, pushing through the pain I was near constantly in, but also helping me find respite through the chaos. You provided compassionate care long before you set foot in a medical classroom, my lovey. Just by helping me find safe harbor through a lot of different storms. You may have thought I was the one helping you figure out who you were, but you did the very same for me. I was learning about my shit right along with you. You helped me forge a flame in my soul that brought me back to life. Quite literally, after my lung, in fact.

For this & SO many other reasons, you will eternally be etched on my heart, Jules ♥️ I’ll tell you what I say to only the closest of fam: we are inextricably bound. Whatever planes there are, multiverses that exist, our stardust particles will always find each other (just like yours & Andy’s always will). Never EVER forget it, or that I’m forever in your corner.

& getting to see so many of the biggest moments along your journey – it means everything!!!! The world.

Full circle, indeed.

And to Andy,

Thank you for loving my girl the way she deserves to be. To see her blossom into this amazing human being has been one of my biggest blessings. And your presence in her life has been a huge part of her coming into her own.

Through thick and thin, you’ve stood by her side, providing support and strength when she needed it most. The way you listen, understand, and uplift each other is a testament to the depth of your connection. Your patience, understanding, and genuine care have created a sense of stability that encourages and allows one another to be the best versions of yourselves, both as individuals and as a couple.

If Julia has been my lighthouse, you have been her anchor. Your unwavering commitment is a steady, grounding force to weather the storms of life.

One of your co-core beliefs is, “it takes a village.” It was showcased in almost every detail of your day, from the sheer number of people in attendance to celebrate your love to the insignia on your seating chart. I couldn’t be more grateful to be part of this village navigating this wild adventure we call existence together!

I. Freaking. Love You Both…Always.

~ Karman

In conclusion…

Julia and Andy’s woodland wedding was a celebration of love, nature, and the bonds that tie us together. From the whimsical decor to the heartfelt moments, their special day was a testament to the beauty of creating a wedding that reflects who you are as a couple. As their love story continues, may it inspire others to infuse magic into their own celebrations and create memories as enchanting as Julia and Andy’s rustic fairytale in the woods.