Local Love: Meredith & Hayden

By: CoVa Mag
January 1, 2026

A Beautiful and Thoughtful Fall Day

Both Meredith and Hayden Cunningham grew up in Coastal Virginia—Meredith in Virginia Beach, Hayden in Chesapeake. When they met during their freshman orientation at Christopher Newport University, they knew it was the beginning of something special. “We were thick as thieves from that day on,” said Meredith. Although Meredith didn’t have a dream wedding in mind, per se, she knew she wanted it to be timeless, to be outdoors, to be between late-September to mid-November. “We love fall foliage,” Meredith added. “Anywhere in Hampton Roads is beautiful in the fall.”

The Couple: Meredith & Hayden Cunningham
The Date: November 8, 2024
The Location: The Maine of Williamsburg
Number of Guests: 165

The Engagement

Hayden proposed to Meredith at the Pagoda & Oriental Garden in Norfolk, after having brunch with his family. Meredith had always wanted her parents to be present for her engagement. But her parents had missed brunch that day. They were both home sick with Covid. At the Pagoda, her parents leapt out from behind the bushes—both clad is masks—and surprised her. Meredith cried. “It’s the little things Hayden always thinks of,” said Meredith. “It was all I needed. It was the best little surprise.”

The Venue

When Meredith first visited The Maine of Williamsburg, she knew she was in the right place. “It was very family oriented,” Meredith said. She was impressed with Chief Operating Officer Tracy Hannigan’s attention to detail. When The Maine was being constructed, Hannigan asked for vendor-feedback during the building process. She wanted to make sure the facility was user-friendly for vendors, so their jobs would be easier while servicing events. That level of thoughtfulness spoke to Meredith. “They are just so kind,” she added. “We were in good hands.”

Wedding Wishes

As a special touch during their reception, Meredith and Hayden wrote notes to each of their guests. “They were happy to be there for us,” said Meredith. In return, the couple wanted to thank their friends and family for supporting them—and for being an important part in their story. Meredith and Hayden wrote 165 notes to each of their 165 guests. They divvied up writing duties between the two of them, and they tackled the task together. After their wedding, they noticed that their note-writing idea had legs. Other friends and family members starting writing notes at their weddings, too. “It was such a sweet touch that it meant something to people,” Meredith added.

The Cheesecake

“I really love cheesecake for some reason,” confessed Meredith. She’s never liked cake. The couple found Hello Sweetie Cheesecake in Portsmouth. The tasting day was the best day ever, according to Meredith. At the ceremony, the couple had four flavors: classic, strawberry, key lime, and tiramisu. With exception of the bride and groom’s cheesecake, the rest were served in individually sized portions. “They were gone by the end of the night,” said Meredith. They were also easy for the caterers to serve—another thoughtful detail. ⁄