At soirée at Fredericksburg Square, wedding dream becomes reality

Jessica McArdle and Cameron Weaver got a glimpse of what their dream wedding will look like next year. And the fashion show of wedding gowns by a celebrity designer didn’t hurt either.

Fredericksburg Square threw a “Soirée at the Square” on Saturday along with local bridal shop Ava Laurenne Bride.

The sold-out event held at the circa-1854 mansion was meant to give brides an idea of what the wedding venue in Fredericksburg could look like on their big day.

“It’s really a way to showcase the square as a wedding venue,” said Van Perroy, who owns the venue along with his wife, Deborah. “It was coming up on 17 years that we did our last soirée, so we thought the time had come to do another one.”

The seated dinner was followed by a fashion show of celebrity fashion designer Katelyn Pankoke’s line of wedding dresses that she called “Behind the Gilded Veil.”

Pankoke, 25, is the owner and designer at Elaya Vaughn Bridal and was a contestant on “Project Runway” seasons 11, 12 and “All Stars.”

The romantic, lightweight gowns are new and high fashion, bringing something different to brides, Jeri Hetrick of Ava Laurenne said.

Pankoke said she didn’t have a specific inspiration for the dresses, but hoped that they made the audience think of someone they admire. Strong personalities of confident and amazing women helped inspire her, she later said.

“I want to highlight the bride’s best features and make her the best version of herself on her wedding day,” Pankoke said.

During a raffle, Weaver and McArdle won the biggest prize of the night: a free reception at the Fredericksburg Square.

McArdle screamed when her raffle number was called. Saturday was their first actual night within the mansion. Their appointment to discuss wedding proposals was set for later.

“We are very surprised. I was the first to put a ticket, so I was like, ‘Oh, I’m not going to get it,’” she said, wiping tears from her eyes.

McArdle, who grew up in Fredericksburg, said she had driven past the square all her life, but had never been inside.

“I never realized it was this big,” McArdle said. “It’s just beautiful. I love the decorations and the people are great to work with.”

The room was bathed in white, the ceiling draped in white linen and the tables in white tablecloths. Models showcased the gowns by walking straight down the middle of the tables, turning around at a wall of white and ivory curtains.

McArdle and Weaver, who got engaged just before Christmas, now say that they are basically done with their wedding planning.

McArdle still has some things to cross of her list, though.

“The gowns were beautiful. They were different, but still like people could actually wear them,” McArdle said.

Amy Rinker, who is getting married in July, had already picked her gown out at Ava Laurenne, but the “major” “Project Runway” and Pankoke fan couldn’t resist seeing some of Pankoke’s dresses. Pankoke had just helped Rinker pick out her gown the night before.

“I used to model for Ava Laurenne, so it is nice to be in the audience and see the gowns from this angle,” Rinker said.

Ava Laurenne owner Wendy Rivera said she jumped at the chance when the Perroys contacted her about participating in the event.

“This is the classiest place in downtown, I feel safe to say,” Rivera said.

In addition to several drawings held by Ava Laurenne throughout the night, brides also received $100 off an Elaya Vaughn gown at Ava Laurenne Bride and a gift bag.