A Rain Shower Made This French-Inspired Wedding Even More Magical

Haley Pierce and Mike Lederhouse have been in it from the long run since the very beginning, quite literally: They met in 2012 as freshmen on the track team at Georgetown University. “Mike messaged me on Facebook when he found out we would both be running for Georgetown,” Haley remembers. “We joke about it now, but the messages—filled with ‘LOLs,’ emojis, and ‘heyys’—were the precursor to our courtship. Once on campus, we became fast friends, spending time together studying and on long bus rides to cross-country meets. After a summer apart, we both knew we wanted more and officially started dating when we got back to campus in the fall of 2013.”

Mike's proposal included, well, a long run as well. “Mike always wanted to propose at the waterfront where we first became a couple, but realized he needed a good excuse to get me down to D.C.—anyone who knows the McCoy-Pierce women knows they would give Sherlock Holmes a run for his money,” Haley says with a laugh. “Mike thought, ‘If I run the marathon, she will never suspect a thing.’ He was right, but has since realized there are much easier ways to surprise someone with a proposal.” After finishing the December 2020 race, took Haley on a walk along the Georgetown waterfront and got down on one knee in the exact spot they’d first become boyfriend and girlfriend. 

The couple decided to tie the knot in the bride's hometown of Greenville, Delaware. “Once we decided on Delaware, there was really only one place we ever considered: Oberod Estate,” she says. “I grew up five minutes from the property and spent lots of time running around the grounds as a kid. We felt inspired by the beautiful home at Oberod and the surrounding grounds, as it felt like you were in the French countryside. We wanted the design to complement that.” With input from her interior designer mom, Haley honed in on an aesthetic: “I coined the term 'chateau chic’ to describe my vision,” she says. “We decided on a clear tent to showcase the beautiful area, wildflowers to feel organic, and a neutral color palette of beige, white, rust, and rose to bring a casual and European vibe to the day.”

The design had the desired effect: Their October 16, 2021, wedding day had the old-world aura of a destination wedding in France, but it didn't require a passport to get there. Keep scrolling to see all the chic details, as planned by Adriana Marie Events, photographed by Unique Lapin Photography, and filmed by Zela Films.

“We had such a fun time getting ready with our parents and wedding party in the historic Oberod house,” Haley shares. “Everyone was so happy, supportive, and relaxed.” She opted for elevated but natural makeup, and a classic updo. “I drew inspiration from Hailey Bieber’s hair at her wedding; she’s a huge style icon of mine!”

Inspired by stylist and influencer Pernille Teisbaek’s Vera Wang wedding gown, Haley began her hunt for a long-sleeved number. “I tried on several long-sleeve options at Mark Ingram Atelier, and when I put on the Atherton dress from Monique Lhuillier, my mom instantly got emotional,” Haley remembers. “It took me some time to decide, but she knew it was the one right away. Of course she was right—always is—because I absolutely loved it and have never felt more beautiful.” The lace gown was actually two pieces: a strapless dress and removable jacket. Haley opted to keep the jacket on all day and night.

For his wedding day attire, “I wanted something classic, but a little different than a typical navy blue suit,” Mike says. The groom opted for a checked navy Lazio style from Suitsupply. He accessorized with Gucci loafers, a vintage Hermès scarf-turned-pocket square, and his grandfather’s chain. “My grandpa wore this almost every day of his life and it meant to so much to have him with me in this small way on such a special day," he shares.

The bride and groom did a first look in the estate’s idyllic courtyard. “It was so special just to be present with each other before the wonderful chaos ensued,” Haley recalls. “We both got quite emotional at the gravity of the experience.”

"Something that became very important to us early on was finding ways to recognize those who we love throughout our day,” Haley says. "To honor my grandfather who has passed, we rented a 1956 Red Thunderbird, which was the car he had. We had so much fun driving it around Oberod’s historic grounds while taking photos. I even drove it in my wedding gown—there is no doubt I’m the better driver!”

Bride and groom each had eight attendants, with Haley’s three best friends since childhood serving as co-maids of honor. "My priority was for my girls to feel their best," she says of their attire. "I wanted something simple and with a reasonable price point.” The bride selected BHLDN’s Cali satin charmeuse midi dress and gave bridesmaids a few color options—“but everyone ended up choosing the same color!” 

A sudden downpour moved their ceremony from the courtyard into the clear-topped tent. There there was a silver lining though. “The rain hitting the tent as we said our vows created a really amazing ambience,” Haley remembers. The space was decked out with wildflowers lining the aisle and climbing the stairs that served as altar. 

“One of the ways we tried to carry out a casual vibe was offering our favorite
Champagne to guests before the ceremony,” Haley says. “We wanted to create a fun, relaxed, and celebratory atmosphere from the moment guests arrived, which feels true to our personalities.” A live guitarist played Beatles tracks as the wedding party and bride and groom entered, each alongside their parents. “It was important to us to be with both parents during this special moment," they share.

The ceremony, officiated by Haley’s high school track coach and close family friend, had many special moments. “Our parents read a poem, ‘These Hands,’ together; my grandma read an Irish blessing; and one of our best friends performed ‘Love You for a Long Time' by Maggie Rogers, one of our favorite songs, during the ceremony,” the bride shares. “Our siblings mean the world to us and we had them join us at the altar.” The couple also wrote their own vows. “This turned out to be one of the most special elements of the day. Our vows were full of memories, jokes, and promises and—according to our guests—there was not a dry eye in the room."

Once they entered their newlywed era, the bride and groom recessed out to Taylor Swift’s “Love Story.” “After we walked back from the altar, we had the chance to pause in the tent and take in what just happened in the beautiful setting,” Haley recalls. "We were able to bask in the cheers and joy from our loved ones and embrace each other after such a personal, powerful, and emotional ceremony. We agree that this was our favorite moment from the whole day!”

In lieu of numbers, Haley and Mike named tables for cities and places meaningful to their relationship. A custom escort card wall featured hand-painted illustrations of each location. “It included everything from our favorite ice cream place and coffee shop to the street we both lived on in college,” Haley shares.

“Chateau chic” carried over into the reception tent, with extra long natural wood tables and textured neutral linens. Lighting was paramount: There were custom chandeliers, string lights lining the tent, uplighting, and ample candlelight.

After the first dance, the couple sat down for a French-inspired dinner, which included personal charcuterie boards. “These were a labor of love—my mom had to get 170 custom cheese boards made—but it was well worth it as our guests raved about them!” Haley says. The theme continued through dessert, with macarons replacing traditional wedding cake.

“We were so overwhelmed by the love and support we felt leading up to and during our wedding that it was important to us to really thank our family and friends for celebrating us,” Haley says. “We said a few words to recognize and honor them, followed by a Champagne toast to kick off the party.”

Haley changed into a silk slip dress by Shona Joy to dance the night away, and paired it with an accessory that brought her and Mike’s love story full circle: sneakers. “Mike and I are former track athletes, so wearing sneakers is part of our everyday wardrobe,” she says. “I knew I wanted to change into fun sneakers at the end of the night and found super chic white Gucci ones that were perfect for dancing.”

They delayed their official honeymoon a year, but took a cliffside minimoon in nearby Newport, Rhode Island post-nuptials. It’s a decision they highly recommend. “Even if you are planning a bigger honeymoon down the road, make sure to take some time after the wedding to just be with each other, celebrate, and reflect on such a special time,” Haley suggests. “We were so happy we made the decision to get away—even if locally—to rest, recover, and be present with each other after the whirlwind that was wedding planning.”