Amber & Ian  ·  12 · 12 · 2026 Click anywhere to enter
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A & I

Amber & Ian

Days Until We Say I Do

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12 · 12 · 2026

Our Story

Amber and Ian when they first met

How We Met

Ian and Amber first met in 2018. With Amber a high school senior and Ian a sophomore, the odds of anything beyond friendship were unlikely. Instead, they quickly became best friends through track practice, spending hours talking during long runs and sharing laughter on trips to Whole Foods and the gym, always with Amber insisting they were not dates. When Amber left for college, their friendship only deepened. Ian often stayed up late helping her through chemistry and math assignments, all while listening to every story about her college experiences and various love interests. Over time, Amber realized she compared every guy she met to Ian, recognizing that no one else shared the qualities she cherished in him. Following the advice she had heard growing up, to date your best friend, Amber and Ian did just that in January 2020. Since then, they have shared a relationship built not only on love, but on the rare joy of being each other’s closest friend.

Ian proposing to Amber

The Proposal

To celebrate the conclusion of their years spent apart and the completion of their respective university studies, Ian and Amber embarked on a well-deserved holiday to Italy. Together they wandered the colourful cliffsides of Cinque Terre, admired the elegance of Milan, and in due course arrived at Lake Como — a place Amber had long held in her imagination as her dream wedding location. It was there, amid the lush gardens of Villa Melzi D'Eril, with the mountains rising gracefully above the still waters of the lake, that Ian knelt and asked Amber for the privilege of spending his life beside her.

Amber and Ian on one of their adventures

Our Adventure Together

For the first five years of their relationship, Ian and Amber lived in different cities. Despite the distance, they spent countless weekends driving back and forth to see one another, always dreading the return of Sunday. Visits to each other’s college towns always resulted in a good time. Their trips were always made memorable by the undeniable rivalry between their schools, with one of them perhaps a bit more devoted than the other (go Hoos!). Amber and Ian can always be found enjoying a glass of wine, spending time with friends and family, or setting out on a spontaneous trip to a new location. Whatever they’re up to, they’re always happiest simply being together.

The Details

The Reception

Early Mountain Vineyard

Immediately Following Ceremony

6109 Wolftown-Hood Rd

Madison, VA 22727

Black Tie Optional · Winter Vineyard Elegance

Travel & Accommodations

Getting There

Most guests will be driving in from the Washington, D.C. area (~2 hours) or Richmond (~1.5 hours). The venue is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge, and the drive through Virginia wine country is beautiful any time of year.

If you're flying, the nearest airport is Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO), about 30 minutes from the venue. Rental cars are available at the terminal and rideshare services operate in the area. Larger airports include Richmond (RIC) and Dulles (IAD).

Where to Stay

We recommend staying in Charlottesville, about 30 minutes from Early Mountain Vineyard. The city offers a wide range of hotels, inns, and vacation rentals — plus wonderful restaurants and a charming downtown. We'll share specific hotel block details closer to the date.

The Graduate by Hilton

~27 miles from the venue

Room block rate: $139/night

Status: Finalizing block details

View Hotel

Staybridge Suites Charlottesville

~19 miles from the venue

Estimated rate: $140/night

Status: No block planned

View Hotel

Registry

For those who wish to help us build our home together, our Crate & Barrel registry holds the everyday essentials we look forward to sharing — the things that will fill our kitchen, set our table, and make a house feel like ours.

View Registry

Our Zola registry serves as a universal wishlist, bringing together a curated selection of gifts from a wide range of retailers. Whether you prefer to shop in one place or explore our full list, Zola makes it simple.

View Registry

Help us create unforgettable honeymoon memories — every contribution means the world.

CONTRIBUTE

Wedding Party

Bridal Party

Abbey Collier

Maid of Honor

Jen Winthrop

Bridesmaid

Sydney Ellis

Bridesmaid

Ally Shaffer

Bridesmaid

Mikaelyn Whittaker

Bridesmaid

Katie Kauffman

Bridesmaid

Emma Sellors

Bridesmaid

Groomsmen

Jacob Plummer

Best Man

Justin Wachtel

Groomsman

Nate Mountain

Groomsman

Nathan Hedden

Groomsman

Trevor Smith

Groomsman

Gavin Bralley

Groomsman

Liam Harris

Groomsman

A Glimpse of Our Journey

RSVP

We can't wait to celebrate with you!

RSVPs Opening Soon

The RSVP form will open following the issuance of formal invitations. Keep an eye on your mailbox!

Questions & Answers

Yes! Complimentary parking is available on-site. We are also planning to provide shuttle services between the venue and the Graduate Hotel. More details on the shuttle services will be provided at a later date.
While we adore your little ones, we have chosen to make our wedding an adults-only celebration. We hope you understand and enjoy a fun night out!
Yes, the venue is fully wheelchair accessible. If you have any specific accessibility needs, please reach out to us directly and we'll make sure you're comfortable.
We recommend arriving 15–20 minutes before the ceremony start time to get settled. The exact timeline will be shared closer to the date.
We kindly ask for an unplugged ceremony — please keep phones and cameras tucked away during the vows. You'll be free to snap away during the reception! Our photographer will capture every beautiful moment.
Absolutely! We'll have a full open bar with wine, beer, spirits, and signature cocktails. Non-alcoholic options will also be available.
Please mention your specific needs in the RSVP form's notes section or reach out to us directly. We want everyone to enjoy the meal!
We're planning to provide shuttle services between the venue and the Graduate Hotel. More details on the shuttle services will be provided at a later date.
We'll be sending out more detailed information as the date approaches. Keep an eye on your email and check back here for updates!
Your presence truly is the best gift! If you'd like to give something, you can find our registries in the Registry section above. We're also grateful for contributions to our honeymoon experience fund.