As you know, we were out of town for a wedding this past weekend. It was a beautiful, spiritual wedding ceremony with family and friends looking on and the weather was absolutely GORGEOUS, just a perfect Virginia day TBH. {See what I wore to the wedding}. The wedding was on Saturday, but we’d arrived on Friday. After checking into our room and unpacking our bags, we joined our family for dinner at Depot Grille in Historic Wharf District in downtown Staunton.

The next morning on Saturday, we had a couple of hours to spare before we had to get ready for the wedding, so we met up with some of our family members and drove to explore downtown. We loved the downtown Staunton Historic Wharf District, which is not really a “wharf” (it’s called a Wharf because the town was once a hub for major trade in the past and gained its name from its use primarily as a warehousing and trade).

During the Civil War, the Wharf Area came to play an essential part in the operation of Staunton as a military post, supply depot, training and hospital center. Along South Augusta Street, arsenals were established and quartermaster and commissary warehouses were set up in close proximity to the railroad. The economic and commercial growth of Staunton continued despite the war, and the population actually increased. Although the Panic of 1873 was a blow to the business community of the Wharf Area, there was enough capital to erect the elaborate masonry Burns Building in 1874 on the site of three earlier wooden buildings. –source: National Park Service

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SHOP THIS POST

SHOP

Staunton Antiques Center and The Artisans Loft

Staunton Antiques Center and The Artisans Loft offers three exciting retail floors of unique and amazing finds — from rare and special antiques to charming vintage goods to one-of-a-kind local contemporary artistic creations. They have everything from Mid-Century modern furniture to jewelry and vintage clothes to many vintage and antique pieces; it was such a beautiful store filled with period pieces, unique gifts, and truly a vintage lovers dream come true.

Upstairs on the upper level is a contemporary gallery filled with beautiful, unique artwork from local Virginia artists and artisans. I purchased a vintage hat and a vintage 1950s flower theme wooden decoupage Lucite handle box purse. Staunton Antiques is located on 19 W Beverley St, Staunton, VA; http://stauntonantiques.com/.

SHOP THIS POST

FOOD

STAY

Holiday Inn
We stayed at the Holiday Inn, one of the wedding hotel room blocks and we were pleasantly surprised at the cleanliness of our King suite, comfortable bed and modern amenities; free Wi-Fi, parking, indoor/outdoor pool, and restaurant and bar. Holiday Inn hotels offers family-friendly travel options, kids stay and eat for free. And for a small fee, pets are allowed in pet friendly rooms only; https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/reservation.

The WEDDING

The wedding was at the stunning Hermitage Hills Farm, a gorgeous wedding venue in Waynesboro, Virginia; https://www.hermitagehillfarm.com/. A short distance from our hotel, I was in love with the setup as soon as I walked in. After the ceremony, we all got a chance to feed the horses during the cocktail hour {Carrot Cocktail Hour}, which I thought was such a cool idea and very fitting for the couple–they love animals! I did, however, had to put on my photography hat and took tons of amazing photos to share with our family and of course, the bride and groom. I will not share those here on my blog because I respect my family’s privacy, but I did want to share a few snapshots of the wedding decor + flowers, my favorite obsession, obvi! What do you guys think?

ABOUT STAUNTON. (pronounced STAN-TON)

Here’s the thing: I absolutely LOVE small towns, especially, small period old towns that has been preserved. Towns with beautiful historic districts and homes with beautiful front porches with hammocks to float on and enjoy cool summer breezes (and wine, TBH), and old towns with stunning period architecture and colorful facades and architectural details that is as eclectic as the town is my absolutely favorite. STAUNTON, Virginia did NOT disappoint, in fact, it offered all of the above and then some. I was completely in love with this town {my husband and I joked that all we needed was a body of water and we would retire there in a heartbeat!}

I actually I’m now obsessed with Staunton that I plan to go back and stay for a weekend and just take it in some more. Like, we didn’t get to go to President Woodrow Wilson’s presidential museum, so I think I want us to go back; perhaps this fall to enjoy some of their fall festivities and do more antique shopping. Anyway, I could go on, but here a few things I learned about Staunton, Virginia during my research for this post. Let me know what you think in the comments.

• Staunton is an independent city in the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 23,746.
• Beverley Street was once Main Street; the street name was renamed many years ago in honor of the town’s founder, William Beverley, as told to use by Staunton Antiques shop owner. This started my research into learning more about Staunton, Virginia.
• Named one of the 30 Most Beautiful Main Streets Across America, Staunton, Virginia downtown district is beautiful and so picturesque—postcard worthy, really!
• Staunton, Va. was settled in 1736. It was named for Lady Rebecca Staunton, wife of colonial governor Sir William Gooch. It was the capital of the Northwest Territory from 1738 to 1770. The Virginia General Assembly established Staunton as a town in 1761 and the town was formally incorporated in 1801.
• The Historic Wharf District in Staunton, Virginia. In 1854 the Virginia Central Railroad arrived in Staunton, Virginia. Staunton became a railroad town with many new businesses. These buildings became known as the Wharf Warehouses where farmers, grocers, and wholesalers engaging in commerce. Staunton became a transportation hub, and during the Civil War, Staunton was the site of a supply base; hence it’s name Historic Wharf District.
• Staunton is known for being the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson, the 28th U.S. president, and the home of Mary Baldwin University, historically a women’s college, and the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum (http://woodrowwilson.org/).
  Staunton is pronounced STANN’-tun. Staunton was founded in 1747 and incorporated in 1871. The city’s population is approximately 24,000. Often called the “Queen City” of the Shenandoah Valley, Staunton boasts six separate historic districts. Staunton is the birthplace of the 28th U.S. President, Woodrow Wilson and the home of the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library.
• Period films that were filmed in Staunton, Virginia, include movies like Evan Almighty, Gods and Generals, Hearts in Atlantis, The Love Letter, The Redeemer: Son of Satan and so much more.
• Staunton’s Main Street was the first in Virginia to be awarded the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Great American Main Street Award.

I just love that in my quest to find out why the street was renamed I went into a rabbit hole of American history and learned so much about Staunton and for an hour in the car, my husband and I learned quite a lot about the town. I would highly recommend you visit Staunton, you won’t regret it —start here.

I tried to find this dress online, but couldn’t find it anywhere! I will keep searching for you guys. I know you LOVED it on Instagram; but it is sold out on Zara’s website. However, I love this knit dress in the same colbalt color. Also, I am LOVING their collection of midi dresses. I love this dress and this one, too!

Thanks so much for reading, see you on the next post!