“From sea to sea and borough to borough, guests descended on Charlottesville from all over the world to celebrate the true meaning of love with Yumi and Andrew.”

-Jazmin Portnow, CEO and Director

Yumi and Andrew envisioned a wedding that fused their legacies in a way that welcomed not only their cultural differences but all of their friends and family as well.  Together they embraced traditions from Japanese, Danish and Jewish customs, delighting their guests and honoring their heritage.  Yumi and Andrew came to us from New York when they couldn’t find a venue with the “it factor” close to them.  Yumi took to the internet and found Pippin Hill…they immediately fell in love when they visited it shortly after. A wedding planning journey ensued, one that satiated Yumi’s love for destinations.  We can honestly say we are so glad they found their way down to Charlottesville; they are as kind and gracious as they are stunning.

The Couple

Yumi and Andrew first met at Skidmore College. They reconnected after graduation when they both ended up in NYC working in Finance. Andrew worked up the courage and finally asked Yumi out…one date was all they had.  A year later they went out on their “second first date” and that was when things really started to “add up.” Six years later they are newlyweds.  Yumi and Andrew are happy as long as they are together, they love doing everything and nothing.  Being in such a high stress occupation affords them the opportunity not to have a fear of missing out on bigger and better things while being at home on the couch together during their downtime.  They enjoy cooking, eating and drinking and also petting other people’s dogs.  They share a love for travel which stems from Yumi’s “travel bug”, something Andrew has openly embraced.

Yumi and Andrew had one of their early dates at a spot called Barcelona Wine Bar. As Andrew began planning to propose he knew he wanted to satisfy Yumi’s love of travel and make it meaningful at the same time.  After careful consideration (and having to go back to the drawing board once or twice), he decided Barcelona Wine Bar to Barcelona was a romantic and sweet full circle moment…and Yumi loved the idea of a holiday in Spain! The trip was booked for June 2023…a trip that would become the culmination of their love story.  On the first night of the trip on a hotel rooftop overlooking the Mediterranean, Andrew popped the question and Yumi said yes!! 

The Wedding

A summer wedding in the mountains is the ideal destination for two New Yorkers that spend their days among the crowded streets of New York City.  A spot that embraces nature but is a respectable distance from the hustle and bustle of Wall Street. When they saw Pippin Hill in person they fell in love and knew that they found the spot that would be the ideal backdrop of their dream wedding.  Yumi chose light blue, violet and white as their color palette, and executed it in the most breathtaking way. From the bridesmaid’s dresses to the flowers to the table linens, Yumi and Andrew’s wedding vision was stunning, we loved designing every aspect of this exquisite day. With a ceremony on the Vineyard Lawn followed by cocktail hour on the deck and patio; the picturesque views were everywhere you turned.  Pippin Hill understands the importance of natural beauty and is a quintessential spot for a couple that wants to embrace the outdoors, as Yumi and Andrew did.

Making it Their Own: Personal Touches

The one thing Yumi and Andrew wanted for their wedding day was a fusion of traditions.  They wanted to represent their cultures and honor their heritage in a way that welcomed their guests and their differences.  Together they embraced Danish, Jewish and Japanese wedding customs. During the ceremony they had a Ketubah signing and danced the Horah at the reception to represent the Jewish tradition.  They served dumplings during cocktail hour to embrace Japanese culture. Their welcome board had Hebrew, Japanese and Danish writing to welcome their guests,  while place cards and table assignments were displayed with Aquavit, a Danish spirit that means “water for life”.  But perhaps the best part of the wedding was the Danish tradition of kissing the bride or groom, should one of them leave the room.  The tradition states that if the bride or groom leaves the room all of the men or women must rush to whomever is still in the room and kiss them.  This was such a meaningful moment that the guests coveted and could not stop talking about. While the entire day was beyond amazing this was a charming touch that the bride and groom will cherish for years to come.

Their Advice

From the tasting all the way to reciting their own vows, Yumi and Andrew loved the entire wedding process (sans the budgeting part) and were a delight to work with.  Their advice for couples getting married…enjoy the day, it goes by so fast, stay by your partner’s side, and don’t skimp on your planner or your photographer.  Your photographer is the one who will preserve the memories of the day, do a first look and cherish that moment. Last but not least, spend cocktail hour with your guests and enjoy that moment with them after completing the ceremony, but don’t forget to take a moment, five to ten minutes, after saying I do, to celebrate the two of you in private. It is a magical and powerful moment, knowing you are married.  Bask in it and then go dance the night away!

If you love Yumi and Andrew’s wedding details and design, we urge you to take a look at some of the other stunning weddings we have had the honor of planning.  We also encourage you to take a look at our blog, Creating a Tablescape for some additional inspo on one of our favorite decor moments of a wedding.