Megan & Hamilton - VMI and Lexington Country Club Wedding

It was just two days after Christmas. His flight wouldn’t take off for nearly 8 hours, but Hamilton decided to go and sit at his gate anyway instead of aimlessly wandering the airport shops. What difference did it make where he sat for all that time?

She shifted in the uncomfortable airport chair. The cold, gloomy weather outside matched her tired and uninterested mood. Her flight would be leaving soon and she was more than ready to board the plane and get home. She kept checking the time, but it seemed like they would never call for boarding.

Then a handsome stranger sat down next to her and struck up a conversation. She chatted politely, grateful for a way to pass the remaining minutes before her flight home. She told him her name: Megan. They chatted about everyday things: where they were headed; how they had spent the holiday. When they called for boarding, he asked for her email address, and she gave it to him.

Soon after they parted, the announcement was made that Hamilton’s flight had been reassigned to a different gate farther down the terminal. He rose and collected his things to move to his new departure gate.

It was the most ordinary of moments in the most ordinary of places. But those few minutes he spent sitting in an uncomfortable airport chair at the wrong gate would change everything.

We've done a handful of destination weddings over the past couple of years. Two of our other wedding this year were destinations for either the couple or most of the guests. But this was the first wedding day that was a destination for Ryan and me as well! So we were very excited to have portraits with gorgeous mountains in the background! Hampton Roads is so flat!

I don't think anybody at this wedding actually lived in Lexington, VA! The bride and groom live in Alaska and their guests came from all over the country! And to make it even better, Ryan and I were so excited to finally work with Jacklyn of Events by Jacklyn! The day couldn't have gone more smoothly! And when everybody (including most of the vendors) live out of town, that's pretty impressive!

The weather forecast the day before the wedding wasn't promising, but we ended up with the most beautiful day. Megan said it felt like summer to her, since she's used to chilly Alaska temperatures! And it didn't rain a drop until everyone was safely at the reception!

The Creative Team:
Coordination: Jacklyn, Events by Jacklyn
Ceremony Venue: Virginia Military Institute
Reception Venue: Lexington Golf and Country Club

Bridal Gown: Maggie Sottero from Anderson's Bride | Beauty: Lou Stevens Glam Squad | Bridesmaids: Alfred Angelo | Cake: Sweet Treats Bakery | DJ: Joey Launi, Events by Jacklyn | Florals: Harmony Harvest Farm | Groom’s Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Officiant: Major Jon Casper | Rentals: Festive Fare | Stationary: The Wedding Shop | Transportation: Quicks Bus | Videography: Kelsey & Nate
 

Jiney & Stephen - Rose Gold Historic Post Office Wedding

Jiney & Stephen are two people who don’t desire the limelight. They want to be on the sidelines cheering for others. In the ring fighting for others. Behind the scenes helping others. Out of sight caring for others.

And because they don’t desire the limelight, on this day, the light on them shines brighter. On the day when everyone gathers to shower love on them, they shower love on others. Pausing their portrait time to help a guest find parking. Introducing their families to each other. Planning surprises for their guests: an ice cream bar, a secret drink menu, and delightful little Harry Potter themed touches throughout the day. Jiney asking their vendor team, not just if they’ve eaten, but to sit down and enjoy their dinner. Stephen surprising Jiney with strings of white lights draping the ceiling. Honoring Jiney’s family heritage with a traditional Korean Hanbok and decorating with dates for good luck. Simple actions of kindness and thoughtfulness for others. Instead of worrying about making the day perfect for themselves, they made it perfect for others.
 

Jiney & Stephen incorporated several Harry Potter references throughout the day: Quidditch inspired ceremony hoops, twinkle lights like the floating lights in the Great Hall, and tree centerpieces inspired by the Womping Willow hung with place card keys and a Golden Snitch necklace. And then to top it all off, they surprised their guests with Butterbeer and a magical potion specialty drink.

After walking down the aisle to River Flows in You, by popular South Korean pianist Yiruma, Jiney changed into her traditional Korean Hanbok. She also sprinkled the reception and sweetheart tables with Korean dates, symbols of good luck. Such sweet ways to honor her family and heritage!

The Creative Team:
Coordination: Sterling Dawn
Venue: The Historic Post Office
Venue Coordination: Kelsey Leeper

Bridal Gown: Allure from Studio I Do Bridals | Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids: David’s Bridal and other retailers | Cake: Candie’s Treats Bakery | Coordination Assistant: Raise the Ruth Events | Ice Cream: Sub Zero Ice Cream | Catering: Montero’s Restaurant | DJ: Surf and Sound Events | Florals: Sterling Dawn | Groom’s Attire: Nordstrom | Hair: Beauty by Sharra | Makeup: Dhalia Edwards | Officiant: Pastor Baek | Lighting: Stage Right Lighting | Rentals: Waterford Event Rentals | Vintage Rentals: Mad Hatter Vintage | Photo Booth: Snapqube | Stationary: Minted

Natalie & Tony - Blush & Navy Historic Post Office Wedding

From the first moment they met, they were drawn to each other. Because when you meet someone as kind, caring, and compassionate as Natalie & Tony, you are drawn to them. Pulled as if by a magnet. And all at once, they found themselves best friends and deeply in love.

All their hopes and dreams and prayers to find the right person… the perfect fit… had finally brought them together. There were no doubts in their minds. Or in anyone else’s mind either. Their family members echoed this thought in their wedding toasts, “When you see Natalie & Tony together, you know they belong together.”

Together they are better people. Together they are stronger people. Together they are kinder people. Because together they are whole.

Natalie & Tony had such a sweet and intimate ceremony. I loved that they decided to face the row of arches.

There were so many sweet tears during these dances! And oh man... I thought the mother/son dance made me cry last year, but now that I've held Darcy and danced with him in the middle of the night... the emotions are tenfold!

And Natalie & Tony's reception wouldn't be complete without their sunset portraits! I always love when we have sunset portraits scheduled in the timeline! 

The Creative Team:
Coordination: Kelsey Ann Events
Venue: Historic Post Office

Bridal Gown: David’s Bridal | Beauty: Poquoson Hair and Body Shoppe | Bridesmaids: David’s Bridal | Cake: Carrie’s Cakes | Catering: East Beach Catering | DJ: Astro Entertainment | Florals: Floral Fashions | Groom’s Attire: Ames Tuxedo | Officiant: Paul Eaker | Rentals: Distinctive
Event Rentals

Julia & Tyler - Pastel Wedding at Noah's Event Venue Chesapeake Virginia

Tyler had been tearing up since the rehearsal the night before, watching Julia walk down the aisle on her father’s arm. He must have smoothed and re-tucked his shirt a thousand times. He wanted everything to be perfect for her, right down to the lack of wrinkles on his white dress shirt.

The forecast that day called for thunderstorms. But when Julia arrived at the church, protected from the sprinkling rain by an umbrella, she was smiling. Because as much as she wanted outdoor photos, all that really mattered was marrying Tyler. And when the rain cleared up, and the sun came out, and the warm church building got even warmer, she sat serenely on a pew. The heat didn’t matter either. In a few minutes she would see her groom and then they would promise their lives to each other.

And promise they did. Promises to respect and cherish each other. Promises to fill their home with love and joy. Promises of constant support for each other. Promises to build each other up instead of tearing down. Promises of love and faithfulness in good times and bad. Promises to make Christ the center of their marriage and to love and serve after His example.

I was so excited to shoot at the brand new Noah's in Chesapeake! It's such a pretty venue and check out this awesome ceiling draping and chandelier!!!

How adorable is this donut wall? So cute!

The Vendor Team:
Ceremony Venue: Oaklette United Methodist Church
Reception Venue: Noah's Event Venue, Chesapeake

Bride’s Dress: Modern Trousseau at Ava Clara Bridal | Catering: Mini Italia New York Pizzeria | Cake: DIY | Coordination: Leila Oakley | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Lulu's | Florals: DIY | Officiant: Jessie Melendez | Invitation: Papernpeonies | Videography: David Broughton

Emma & Tyler - Destination Wedding in Virginia Beach

With each step, Emma’s dress dusted the top of the sand. Her veil, her something borrowed, floated in the breeze. The sun shined down behind her, highlighting the edges of her hair and veil. In one hand she held a small white Bible, the same Bible her mother and grandmother carried on their wedding days. On top of the Bible, a cascade of flowers and a white pearled flower, a piece from her mother’s veil. The other hand held her father’s arm. Around his neck, a white wedding stole embroidered with the date, and in his hand, a Bible and the wedding vows.

They reached the circle of chairs and turned to walk down one of the three aisles, the one that each of her attendants had walked down, symbolic of the path that had brought her to this place. 

She joined Tyler under the canopy and they stood together, in front of the third aisle, the one that they would walk together, as husband and wife.

When your wedding dress picks up every stick and piece of grass it passes over, you need a good once over before the ceremony!

Our unexpected wedding guest... He flew by a couple times! 

Emma & Tyler’s wedding ceremony was full of many beautiful moments, and there was no shortage of tears! At the beginning of the ceremony, Emma & Tyler's family members circled around them and pledged to support their marriage. I've never seen that before, and I thought it was beautiful.

Then each member of the wedding party read a blessing before Emma & Tyler exchanged rings:

Just as the ocean encircles the earth, may this circle of gold remind you that you are always encircled by love.
 
Just as the ocean is full of beauty and treasure, may this ring remind you of the beauty and treasure of each other.
 
Just as the ocean is full of surprises, may this ring remind you to allow yourselves to be surprised by love.
 
Just as the ocean gives and supports life, may these rings remind you of the love that supports your lives together.
 

There were so many sweet tears during this ceremony, and I loved this moment when Emma's dad wiped one of them away for her.

The Vendor Team:
Coordination: Alicia from Harvest Event Co.
Ceremony Venue: Little Island Park
Reception Venue: Family Home

Bride’s Dress: Monica's Bridal | Catering: Lucky Oyster | Cake: Sugar Plum Bakery | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David's Bridal | Florals: Family Friend | Groom’s Attire: Giorgio Men's Warehouse | DJ: Family Friend | Officiant: Father of the Bride | Videography: Christy Stevens | Favor: Plantation Peanuts

Stephanie & Eddie - Black Tie Wedding at the Sheraton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel

Eddie stood, facing the crowd, with a line of groomsmen, just as he had a few years ago at another wedding. It seemed like yesterday that he had been excited to meet the girl his sister couldn’t stop talking about. The one who was beautiful and sweet and perfect for him. But this time he wasn’t a groomsman. It was his turn to say vows… to the beautiful girl who made him smile more than he ever had before. His sister had been right. She was perfect for him.

It seemed like only yesterday when Stephanie had been sitting in the audience at a different wedding. And he had caught her eye. A tall handsome mysterious groomsman who had kept her distracted during the ceremony.

But today she wasn’t seated in the audience. The ruffled skirt of her elegant Hayley Paige wedding gown rustled as she took each step towards the closed church doors. The blusher of her cathedral veil was pulled over her face and the long length of tulle was perfectly fluffed behind her.

And when the doors opened and Stephanie stepped into the church, her eyes locked with his. The mysterious handsome groomsmen was now the one waiting at the end of the aisle for her.

Stephanie & Eddie's parents said a prayer over their rings, which I thought was such a beautiful moment during their ceremony!

We loved that Stephanie & Eddie wanted to do a reception room reveal during their cocktail hour! Stephanie had spent months planning her florals, linens, and lighting, and she was so excited to finally see it all put together! And then she surprised her new husband with a popcorn bar from Tastebuds Popcorn! Yum!

Congratulations, Stephanie & Eddie!

The Creative Team:
Coordination: Rachel & Keeley at Soirees by Lauren
Ceremony Venue: Church of the Ascension
Reception Venue: Nancy at the Sheraton Virginia Beach Oceanfront

Bridal Gown: Hayley Paige from The White Magnolia Bridal Salon | Bride's Shoes: Jessica Simpson | Bridesmaids: Ava Clara Bridal | Cake: Incredible Edibles Bakery | DJ: Danny at Astro Entertainment | Favor: Tastebuds Popcorn | Florals: Botanique Events | Groom’s Attire: Mens Wearhouse | Hair & Makeup: Wink Salon | Lighting: Stage Right Lighting | Linens: Waterford Event Rentals | Photography: Caitlin Gerres Photography | Rings: Madison Jewelers | Stationary: Paperdolls Design