High school sweethearts Natalie Lewis and Javin DeLaurier celebrated nearly a decade of love with a wedding that felt intimate, thoughtful, and rooted in their shared history. Natalie, a former consultant now working on her debut novel, and Javin, who plays professional basketball overseas, exchanged vows on the working farm in Virginia where Natalie grew up.
Natalie and Javin first crossed paths long before romance entered the picture. They attended middle and high school together, initially knowing one another as “older brother’s friend” and “friend’s little sister.” It wasn’t until their junior year, when shared classes brought them closer, when something shifted. Nearly ten years later, that teenage love story had grown into a lifelong partnership, culminating in their wedding on July 12, 2025.
At the time of their engagement, long-distance was nothing new for the couple. Natalie was finishing her philosophy master’s thesis in Edinburgh, while Javin was navigating professional seasons in Lithuania and Greece. They reunited during Natalie’s family’s annual cousin beach trip. Unexpectedly during a beach walk—in the rain, no less—Javin dropped to one knee.
Once engaged, choosing the location felt inevitable. Natalie had long imagined getting married on her family’s farm—a place woven into her earliest memories. Javin, who was raised on a nearby farm and spent years on the property himself, felt just as connected to the setting.
Natalie envisioned a celebration that balanced classic elegance with the feeling of an ethereal garden party. The atmosphere was subtly influenced by the romantic fantasy world she’s been building in her writing—a space where the contemporary and the enchanting coexist. The day was captured by photographer Lance Nicoll, while planner Donovan-Groves Events and Natalie’s mother worked closely together to bring the vision to life.
Natalie approached dress shopping knowing she was drawn in one of two directions: something simple and classic or straight out of a fairytale. At her very first appointment at Danielle Frankel, she found the dress—a light linen design with subtle lace florals, a structured silk bodice, and a full skirt perfectly suited to a summer celebration on the farm.
She accessorized with her mother’s wedding day earrings and her grandmother’s watch. Her beauty look, created by Carolyn Thomas Artistry LLC, was soft and romantic, with natural makeup and loose curls.
Javin wore a custom three-piece midnight blue tuxedo made by his cousin at Bryn Keith Clothing. He chose a vest, a forest green bowtie, and a deep purple lining, selected to complement the surrounding landscape.
The ceremony took place in front of Natalie’s family home, set in a shaded cul-de-sac and styled with an intentionally restrained, all-white palette. A string quartet from Melodious Strings accompanied a traditional processional. Thoughtfully chosen readings added a personal layer, including literary excerpts and a letter Natalie had written to Javin nearly a decade earlier during their senior year of high school. Javin’s brother, Ethan, officiated the ceremony.
After being announced as officially married, the newlyweds met their guests in the backyard, transformed by vibrant, colorful florals designed by Sophie Felts Floral Design. Servers from C&O Restaurant circulated with Champagne alongside spicy margaritas and whiskey sours, while Natalie’s cousin played jazz piano in the background.
As the evening continued, guests made their way to the tented tennis court, where black fabric ceilings, icicle lights, and a dramatic floral chandelier created a starry-night effect. The band, Simply Irresistible, kept the energy high throughout the night. Natalie and Javin chose “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran for their first dance, a fitting choice for a couple who began dating at 16 and 17. They choreographed the dance themselves, lifts included, and followed it with parent dances that felt equally meaningful and relaxed.
Just before the first shuttle's departure, Natalie and Javin staged a playful “fake send-off,” complete with cold sparklers and a 1968 Cadillac convertible driven by Natalie’s uncle, courtesy of Albemarle Limo. Natalie later changed into a pleated halter from L’Idée, and the celebration continued well into the night. DJ Hoody took over the music, keeping the dance floor full until 2 a.m. With late-night bites and guests lingering until the very end, the day closed on a joyful high.
The newlyweds traveled to Indonesia for their honeymoon, spending time in Ubud, Labuan Bajo, and Sumba to experience a range of landscapes and cultures—the perfect first adventure as husband and wife.
