Kate + Joe | A Hunt Valley Golf Club Military Wedding

We met Kate and Joe with their engagement session in Newport News earlier this year, and I'll say it again, anyone who can plan a wedding while being deployed in the Middle East has an immense amount of respect from me.

Steeped in beautiful military history, these two come from a long line of servicemen and women so it was only fitting that their fall-inspired wedding would have nuances of the various service branches. It's obvious by the photos that Joe is reppin' the Marines, and Kate, even though you wore your gorgeous ivory gown, we know you stood proud for your Navy hues (despite that random golfer who only thanked Joe for his service during our portraits!)!

And beyond the military, Kate made sure to have even more personal touches, like the altar roses to represent her grandparents who were there in spirit, her necklace that her grandmother received at age 16, Joe's favorite cigars to celebrate his recent birthday, and generations of family wedding portraits as part of their photo booth guestbook setup.

Even though local to Hampton Roads, they wanted to get married in the fall-dappled hills of Maryland for its family roots. Loved ones traveled from all over, made a weekend out of it, and I don't think there was one tidbit of non-fun happening. Kate and Joe truly made an experience to remember! (Heck, the welcome bags included local-to-Maryland treats AND there was a Wegmans around the corner... but I won't go into that gloriousness now.)

Thank you so much, you two, for the honor of being part of your special day. You both are incredible in every sense of the word! I'm so blessed to have met a kindred spirit in "crazy faces." ;)

















So many thanks go to my second shooter Jessica for her talent and friendship. The ladies (and gents) at the Catholic Community of St. Francis Xavier and at Hunt Valley Golf Club for taking care of the happy couple (and us vendors!), another Hampton Roads gal Erika of Wink Salon, and the other vendors whose visuals made my job easy: Hampton Roads' Silk Bridal, Radebaugh Florist, Sweet Eats Cakes, and Santana Entertainment.

Katie + Austin | A Golf-Inspired Kingsmill Resort Wedding

If you have a golfer bride, a golfer groom, and a whole lotta golfing family, then it's kinda only perfect to have golf nuances on your wedding day. And that's just what Katie and Austin did. On, seriously, one of the most perfect days in September at Kingsmill Resort, these two made Williamsburg their destination wedding. To tie in their love of family and the beloved sport, these two even set up a special golf invitational for their wedding guests... and gave trophies to the winning team at the wedding reception!

This beautiful bride left no thoughtful detail untouched. Her cake mockup puts all cake mockups to shame (à la PowerPoint, too!). And since their furbabies couldn't be part of the wedding, Katie found a custom bride and groom cake topper with Tess, Tally, and Little Dog at their feet.

To lay witness to such love through an entire family-- and not just one side, but both united-- was an incredible thing. During the preparations, during the ceremony, and especially during the reception, happy tears were shed and nostalgic sentiments spoken. Through those, you knew these newlyweds are cherished and very well-loved.

Thank you for choosing me to be a part of your special day, Katie and Austin! It was a complete honor, and I wish you both all the very best! May your many years of marriage always be a perfect round! [Insert some extra cheesy golf-y wakkawakkas here.] ;)


















Many thanks go to Caitlin for being a great second shooter, Brittany for orchestrating such a beautiful day, Jeff for making the reception awesome, and Kingsmill Spa, Williamsburg Florals, and Big Top Entertainment for creating the visual aspects to their perfect story!

Heather + Rob | A Church Point Manor Wedding

Every so often, you meet certain people who just seemed to be cut from the same cloth. The cloth that was woven with Jane Austen quotes, quirky humor, and love for animals. I loved their engagement session, but I have to say I loved their wedding more. But not because it was the vision of English garden-Jane Austen perfection (because let's be real, I kinda died all sorts of swoon)... but for its transformation into something only a novel could tell with these two cast as the hero and heroine.

"In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

Those were the famous Pride & Prejudice words quoted by Rob in his wedding vows. It made everyone in attendance catch their breath with emotion because any true Austenite knows the magnitude and passion behind those words. Looking back on the beauty of Church Point Manor, the joy from loved ones, and the sweet adoration of her beloved, Heather has finally found her soulmate, her very own modern day Mr. Darcy.
















Many thanks go to Laura and the whole catering crew, Roger, Kim and Carly, Mary and Shannon, Emily, and the Pure English ladies for creating the visual aspects to their perfect story!

Laura + Winfield | A Classic Williamsburg Winery Wedding

Even though we got to know Laura and Winfield during their engagement session, there is always something about the wedding day that spindles all of that knowledge and weaves it into something timeless.

With wax seals, shades of ivory, blue toile, and THE Bruton Parish in Colonial Williamsburg, you have the setting for one memorable, classic wedding day. But beyond the visuals, the emotional strings were strummed. When you can feel the joy around, there's some serious potential for some happy tears. :) When Winfield saw Laura for the first time during their first look... well, the whole bridal party predicted what would happen, and it did. ;)

The way these two cherish each other is evident in every word exchanged. The speeches, the vows, and the witty remarks. You couldn't help but have that feel-good-kinda feeling. With family and friends attending from all over, this was a day for the (personal) history books.

And as Laura once wrote to me in an email, "I can't wait for him to be my Mister!" And it makes me smile all big because... yay, Laura! He is finally your Mister! Hope you two have a fabulous tropical honeymoon!














Many thanks go to Meagan and Jessica for helping me make Laura and Winfield's wedding day story through their lenses and extra hands. And a big thanks to Williamsburg Winery, Events in Bloom, Carrot Tree Kitchens, The Catering Company, and In Full for creating the visual and audio aspects to their perfect story!

Stay tuned to Facebook for a more complete visual story of the entire wedding day after the bride and groom have had their Grand Unveiling! :)

Tiffany + Josh : The Couple Who Gives Thanks

This wasn't the first time Tiffany was in front of my lens. She was our wicked-awesome Elphaba for Orchestrated's Emerald Encounter... and she was amazing.

That day had also been my first day meeting Josh. He came to see his beautiful wife-to-be model go "green" for us. To see the sweet pride and joy on his face as he watched her... oh my gosh. It's that same look that whispers, "I cherish you."

But together as a couple, there is one word that comes to mind when I think of them: genuine. Genuine in love, friendship, faith, and thanksgiving.

They balance each other. They keep their faith at the center of their relationship. They love. And it was very evident throughout the whole wedding day-- at the First Presbyterian Church of Virginia Beach and at the Hilton Oceanfront.

You can't help but feel warm and fuzzy around them. And with Tiffany's many, many awesome facial expressions, you can't help but feel happy, too. (Seriously, she's my rival in spectacular faces.) ;)

I wish you two all the very best God has to offer in a marriage for the many years ahead. Bucket loads of blessings for you both!















Many thanks go to Sarah, Jessica, and Tianna for helping me make Tiff and Josh's wedding day story through their lenses and extra hands. And a big thanks to Stephanie, Brittney (and the other Emily Weddings gals), Mary and Shannon, Liz, Tyler/Martin/Graham, Shawn, and Jay for creating the visual aspects to their perfect story!

Stefani + Jason : The Firefighter and the Creative

If this whole wedding wasn't a lovebomb fest, then I don't know what is. I got teary myself throughout multiple parts of this special day because you could just feel the love. Not the cheesy kind. But the soul-deep, plucking your heart strings kind. The kind where you knew every person in attendance celebrated. In every detail, in every word spoken.

This was a stunning, uniquely-made DIY wedding at Northwest River Park. And to briefly segue, Stef, you're amazing, and I nod in respect to your awesome organizational creativity. (A gal after my own heart!) Folks, this bride had it down. Stefani even had a Facebook group for her bridal party to coordinate details/schedules/planning right to the very minute of the wedding (can we say genius!? Where were Facebook groups when I was getting married?!). She needs to write her tips and blog it somewhere (ooo... nugget of an idea tucked away... heeeyyyy, Mrs. Rubio! ;) ).

From Jason's tie clip with a fireman's axe to the merry literary quotes on the reception tables, there were so many personal touches. It was an honor being part of such a once-in-a-lifetime day.

And heck, how many couples can say that they had a mini-high school reunion at their wedding!? Not many! ;)

Jason and Stefani, I wish you the very best and all the magic that a marriage can bring! Many hearts!













[Typically I don't put bridal party photos in the Mr. & Mrs. posts but these ladies and gents were such a huge part of these two's support system that they just had to be included. :) ]






[Why, yes, this is the mini-Bayside High School reunion. :)]