Aida & Isaac || The UVA Quaker Wedding, Charlottesville VA

The couple chose a Quaker ceremony which I learned it defines as a silent ceremony where there is no officiant, no giving away of the bride. A wedding certificate is signed and there is a period of silent worship . After a period of silence the couple stands and says their vows to each other and exchanges rings. Then everyone shakes hands and all guests have to also sign their marriage certificate. At a Quaker ceremony, no photos can be taken at all during the meeting. So I got to sit in the back with my second shooter and we both felt a little bit overwhelming.

To be honest, this was such a privilege of attending my first Quaker wedding ever. I had to say it was one of the most beautiful and family-oriented ceremonies I’d ever been to.

Thank you Aida & Isaac for sharing your day with me. It’s such an honor to be a witness on your special day. I wish you both love and happiness for all your days. Enjoy my favorite pictures from this beautifully simple wedding.

Ceremony Venue — University of Virginia Chapel 

Reception Venue — Charlottesville Friends Meeting

Cake — Albemarle Baking Company

Catering — DaH Catering 

Bridal Gown — Amanda’s Touch Bridal and Formal

Winter Wonderland Beauty Styled Shoot || Virginia Portrait Photographer

That day proved to be one of the coldest ones that week, but our small team of photographers and our models braved the frigid temperatures to give us this beautiful styled shoot. One of our styled shoots featuring Amanda, our model, in a gorgeous fur coat was my favorite one. I can’t lie, there is nothing more fabulous than a fur coat. The images from the shoot here was part of a series styled shoots we did all in one day. Enjoy some of my FAVORITES from this styled shoot

Gowns — Ava Laurenne Bride
Flowers — The Flower Cottage
Hair & Makeup — Allyson Wonderland Makeup

Hostess — Amanda Lynn Photography

The Bridal Portrait Session || Stevenson Ridge, Fredericksburg VA

A bride on her wedding day is always beautiful, not just because of the fancy dress and professional hair and makeup, but because she radiates love and joy. I understand some brides love to have their bridal portraits taken a few weeks before their wedding, so they can have a photo of the bride get displayed at the wedding. Some brides don’t feel like to do their pre-wedding day bridal portraits by considering the fact that it would be a waste of money and time.

On a wedding day, I like to start the day with the bridal portrait session after capturing some moments of the bride getting ready. I LOVE bridal portrait sessions! I think this is one of my favorite things to photograph. There is nothing better than to photograph the Bride on her wedding day when she still looks fresh, excited and feels like a princess.

My advice to the future brides on your bridal portrait session, just relax and enjoy being in the moment and feeling special for the day.

I love to share some of the images from our Spring Bridal Styled shoot hosted by Nilo Burke last year.

 

Venue — Stevenson Ridge
Florist and Floral Styling & Decor —Petals by the Shore – Wedding & Event Floral Designs

Hair & Makeup Artist — @Giovanna Vaz

Bridal Gowns — Borrowing Magnolia

Jewelry — KNR Handmadeby Rahila

Hostess — Nilo Burke Photography

Model — Sophia Jablonski

 

Gwen & Michael || Indigo Landing Wedding, Alexandria VA

The thought of rain on your wedding day may seem like a natural disaster for most brides, especially those with outdoor weddings. It is completely understandable to be disappointed, but my advice is to embrace the rain in such a way and have some ideas for how to make it more fun, exciting and sweetly unique.

We did have such a blast on Gwen & Mike’s wedding back in the Spring. It rained so much but we didn’t care and all their outdoor photos were with umbrellas. So, no need to fear rain!

Wedding Venue & Catering: Indigo Landing www.indigolanding.com

Cake: Happy Tart Bakery http://happytartbakery.com/

Wedding Gown: BHLDN Georgetown www.bhldn.com

Bridesmaids Dresses: Badgley Mischka

Groomsmen and Groom attire : The Tailored Man

Wedding Planner: Rachel Buczynski https://sidekickforhire.com/,

DJ/ Entertainment Services:

String Quartet: String of Pearls Quartet, http://www.violindreams.com/demos.htm,

DJ: Jeff Davis DJs, https://www.gigmasters.com/dj/jeff-davis-dj

Paula & Logan || UVA Wedding, Charlottesville VA

Wedding Venue: The Colonnade Club at the University of Virginia

Catering & Cake: A Pimento Catering

Wedding Gown: Sealed with a Kiss

Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal

Groomsmen and Groom attire : Men’s WearHouse

Invitations :Wedding Paper Divas

Paula and Logan exchanged vows in the beautiful Pavilion Gardens of the UVa followed by their reception at the Colonnade Club. They both were so full of joy and smiles. The hot temperatures of Summer didn’t even melt their happiness. Enjoy some of my favorite scenes from their wedding day…

 

 

 

Emily & Chris Wedding || CrossKeys Vineyards, Mt. Crawford VA

Emily and Chris met on a chilly Saturday night at a club in Charlottesville. Two years later Chris proposed Emily on his sister’s wedding, right in front of the White House on a nice October night. Their wedding was simply a celebration for their true love, their friends and close family. The day was perfect, warm and beautiful. The view at CrossKeys Vineyards was amazing with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background. Their wedding has been featured on Main Street Weddings.

Venue : CrossKeys Vineyards

Baker : Albemarle Baking Company

 

Snowy Winter Bridal Styled Shoot || Fredericksburg Wedding Photographer

Yes I had dreamed about doing an outdoor snowy winter styled shoot one for some time and was very excited to make it happen. With the help of several photographer friends, we styled a snowy winter styled shoot to show how the simple touches and the beautiful snow can create an elegant and stunning setting. This experience has been nothing short of inspirational. Thank you to Ally, our gorgeous model and the rest of the team involved!

Model: Ally

Hairstyling and Makeup : Rachel Ranno

Dress and accessories : Personal collection

 

Maggie & Dave || Kenmore Inn, The Downtown Fredericksburg Wedding

This simple wedding took place at the Kenmore Inn of the historic downtown Fredericksburg VA. The Inn is such a charming and quaint venue. The building is decorated very classically and tastefully. Maggie & Dave said their vows to each other in the garden with the fountain running, and the two become one! They had a smaller wedding party, but their love is clearly larger than life! Congrats to Margaret and Dave!

Venue : The Kenmore Inn

 

Nina & Daniel || Wilderness Presidential Resort, Fredericksburg Wedding

Nina and Daniel’s wedding was simply charming, beautiful, and personal day with DIY touches and contributions from their friends and family from near and far. The wedding was incorporated with some key Filipino wedding traditions, where the couple asked their close friends and family to serve them as sponsors for the different parts of the wedding. Their sponsors would place symbolic items on the wedding couple, or hand them blessings to the couple during the ceremony. Congratulations Nina & Daniel!

Venue: Wilderness Presidential Resort