Virginia + Justin’s Storybook Wedding At The Estate on the Halifax
- Mar 11
- 7 min read
Planned by a Tulsa Wedding Planner who loves a good fairytale moment.
There are some weddings that feel like an event.
And then there are weddings that feel like a world you step into.
Virginia and Justin’s November wedding at The Estate on the Halifax in Port Orange, Florida was exactly that. Romantic. Moody. Storybook. Every detail was intentional, from the brick aisle lined with roses to the lace cloak that replaced a traditional veil.
I am Tonie, the planner behind Marquise Weddings & Events, a Tulsa wedding planner who helps couples create weddings that feel like them. When Virginia & Justin first reached out, they told me they wanted the day to feel like a gothic love story without feeling dark or heavy. Deep red and hunter green. Chandeliers in the trees. A cloak instead of a veil.
My answer was very simple: “Let’s build it.”
Virginia and Justin’s dream venue was The Estate on the Halifax in Port Orange. As a full service wedding planner, my role started long before any flowers were ordered or timelines drafted.
We talked through what they loved about the venue.
The oak tree dripping in Spanish moss.
The tucked-away cottages where they could get ready.
The warm wood reception space that felt like an old-world manor.
From there, I mapped out what destination planning would look like for them. Vendor communication, travel timelines, rehearsal, and the hundreds of tiny details that pile up when you are planning. They wanted to show up on wedding week and feel like everything was already handled.
So we built a plan that made that possible.
The Vision: Romantic / Storybook With Deep Red And Hunter Green
We anchored the design around three things:
1. Virginia’s lace cloak
2. Deep red roses
3. Crystal chandeliers
The color palette was rich and intentional. Deep red, almost wine-colored roses. Hunter green foliage and hedges. Accents of ivory in Virginia’s gown and cloak.
I worked closely with Rachael Kasie Designs (rkdweddings) and Sky Events Unlimited (@skyeventsunlimited) to layer in texture and drama. Chandeliers would hang from the trees at the ceremony and later move indoors. Roses would line the ceremony aisle and be repurposed to frame the sweetheart table and “’Til Death” neon sign at the reception.
From a planning perspective, that meant designing a timeline that allowed for flips between spaces. We scheduled Rachael’s team and Sky Events with specific windows to move chandeliers, arch pieces, and aisle florals while guests enjoyed cocktail hour. Everything was planned down to the minute so the magic never felt rushed.
The Morning: Calm, Cloaks, And Final Details
On the morning of the wedding, Art by Izzy Hair & Makeup arrived at Agatha’s Cottage. Virginia, her maid of honor, and the moms rotated through hair and makeup. There was soft music, plenty of coffee, and a sense of quiet excitement.
Behind the scenes, the vendor teams were already moving.
Sky Events Unlimited began setting up chandelier bases and stands under the oak tree while Rachael Kasie Designs arrived with armfuls of roses, greenery, and linens. At the reception space, dance floor greenery and chandeliers were staged, ready to be installed once the bases were set.
My team and I handled:
- Setting up signage, escort cards, and the guestbook table
- Checking in each vendor as they arrived
- Confirming delivery times with catering and dessert
- Reviewing the ceremony layout one more time under that sprawling oak
By midday, the ceremony space was slowly turning into the world Virginia had described on our first call.
The Ceremony: Under The Oak Tree
As guests arrived, they walked down a brick path into what felt like an enchanted forest.
Chandeliers hung from the trees, their crystals catching the afternoon light. Thick garlands of greenery wrapped around the posts. Mossy bases flanked the aisle. On the ground, a river of red roses and blooms wound its way toward the altar backdrop.
When the music began, the atmosphere shifted.
Virginia stepped out in her gown and lace cloak. The hood framed her face. The cloak trailed behind her, the lace catching the light with every step. Justin waited at the front in an all-black suit that grounded the look and let Virginia and the florals shine.
It was quiet enough to hear the rustle of the leaves overhead as they read their vows. The chandeliers glowed. The roses almost looked like they were breathing.
One of my favorite things about this ceremony was how personal it felt without a single extra “thing.” No unity candle or sand, just vows, music, and the place itself. That is the power of a strong design and a thoughtful venue choice.
When they were pronounced married, they recessed back down the brick aisle, cloak and petals swirling, while the song they had chosen filled the garden. Then we tucked them away into Agatha’s to sign the marriage license and share a quiet moment before the celebration began.
Cocktail Hour: Snow White’s Cottage
While Virginia and Justin exhaled and took photos, guests wandered toward Snow White’s Cottage for cocktail hour.
Cocktail music floated through the garden thanks to Soundwave Entertainment. Sweet wine and cocktails were waiting. Appetizers from Karlota Gourmet were set-up as the sun dipped lower over the property.
During this time, our team and the vendor crew went into flip mode.
- Sky Events Unlimited transferred the chandeliers and stands from the ceremony to the reception.
- Rachael Kasie Designs moved the aisle florals and arch pieces to build out the sweetheart table and room entrances.
- We checked the reception layout one more time, from table numbers to favor placement, making sure every seat was set.
By the time the last appetizer plate was cleared, the reception was ready to reveal.
The Reception: Roses, Laughter, And A Choreographed First Dance
Guests entered the reception to find a warm, wood-paneled room glowing with candlelight. Deep red linens covered the tables. Greenery climbed up the walls. Chandeliers sparkled overhead, reflecting off cut glass goblets and gold accents.
At the front of the room, Virginia and Justin’s sweetheart table became a focal point. A hedge backdrop with a neon “’Til Death” sign. Roses climbing up both sides and pouring onto the floor. It felt decadent and cozy all at once.
After their grand entrance, dinner opened and guests lined up for the buffet. One small but meaningful detail: we made sure Virginia and Justin’s plates were filled and brought to their table first so they could actually eat before the toasts, instead of talking through the whole meal.
Toasts were heartfelt and funny, with plenty of inside jokes and a few happy tears. Through it all, I loved watching the two of them hold hands under the table, soaking in the moment.
Then the lights dimmed.
The DJ called Virginia & Justin to the dance floor for the first dance they had worked so hard to learn.
Their choreographed dance was graceful without feeling stiff. A twirl that let Virginia’s dress and cloak swirl through the fog. A few dramatic dips. The kind of choreography that looked effortless because they felt comfortable and supported. As a planner, that is why I pay such close attention to the flow of the night. When the energy builds correctly, the couple can actually relax into the moment.
From there, the dance floor never really cleared. Glow sticks, laughter, parents dancing with friends, and a crowd that truly stayed present until the very end.
Late-Night Fun And A Bubble-Filled Exit
As the evening went on, there were late-night photos in the library, quiet kisses in dark corners of the house, and a very fun CO2 cannon moment on the dance floor that had everyone cheering.
Before the night wrapped, we orchestrated one last surprise for guests: a private last dance.
While my team and the DJ lined guests up outside with bubble wands, Virginia and Justin had the room to themselves. The chandeliers glowed above them. The flowers were still lush around the sweetheart table. One song, just for them, in a room that had held all of their favorite people only minutes before.
Then the doors opened and they walked out into a tunnel of bubbles and color. Lights bounced off each little orb, creating the dreamiest effect in photos and video. It was playful, romantic, and the perfect way to close a very intentional day.
Why This Wedding Means So Much To Me As A Tulsa Wedding Planner
I love this wedding not just because it was beautiful, but because it is a perfect example of what full service planning can do for a couple.
Virginia and Justin had a strong vision.
They knew they wanted:
- A romantic, storybook feel
- Deep red and hunter green everywhere
- A cloak instead of a veil
- A choreographed first dance
My job was to take that vision and turn it into a plan you can actually follow. Vendor recommendations that matched their style and budget. A detailed timeline that made space for rest as well as photos. A layout that felt immersive and functional.
Most importantly, I wanted them to feel present.
They deserved to enjoy the soft chaos of the getting-ready hours, the way the chandeliers looked when they stepped into the ceremony for the first time, the nervous excitement before their first dance. They deserved to leave the reception with confetti in their hair or bubbles in the air, not questions from vendors.
As a Tulsa wedding planner, I see so many couples carry the entire mental load of planning alone. You do not have to. Whether your wedding will be right here in Oklahoma or at a destination venue like The Estate on the Halifax, full service planning is about having a partner who holds the vision and the details with you.
Planning Your Own Romantic Wedding From Tulsa
If you are engaged and dreaming of a wedding that feels like a favorite novel brought to life, I would love to connect.
I work with couples in Tulsa and across Oklahoma who want:
- A clear planning roadmap instead of scattered to-do lists
- Design that feels personal, not copy-pasted from Pinterest
- A calm, organized point person for the wedding day
- Space to be fully present with each other and their people
You bring the story. I help build the world around it.
To learn more about full service planning, see additional real weddings, and book a consultation visit us here. Let’s start dreaming up a day that feels like it was written just for you.
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