Alexander Weddell and Virginia Chase Steedman first met in Calcutta, India, in 1923 where Mr. Weddell was serving as U.S. consul-general. Alexander was a bachelor in his forties from Richmond, Virginia, and Virginia was a wealthy widow from St. Louis, when they were introduced by friends. Mr. Weddell accompanied Virginia Steedman and her companions back to the United States by cruise ship. Virginia's letters from the period increasingly mention first "Mr. Weddell," then "Alex." Four months later, on May 31, 1923, they were married at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York. The couple combined their passions and resources to build Virginia House in Richmond.