Cue the confetti and get ready for a recap of my favorite portraits from this past year’s wedding season! All of these portraits were taken throughout Virginia, and on the most special day(s) for each one of my couples this year. I think each one of their wedding day(s) was perfect for them and they truly planned their day around what they loved… including each other of course! Take a look back with me through this year’s Virginia wedding photography before we head into the New Year.   The Inn at Warner Hall was the perfect mix of southern charm and historical home, the two very things that Stephen and Kelly were searching for in their venue.  It would not have been a southern wedding without digging up the bottle of whiskey. Couples do this as good luck for no rain on their wedding day!   During their reception Kelly and Stephen took ten minutes with me for a few more portraits down by the river on the back of the Inn at Warner Hall’s property.  Mariecar and Joshs’ wedding day was the first for 2017 and it SNOWED a little right before their outdoor ceremony.  I loved that they still braved the cold with me for portraits!   Alyssa and Peter held each other right after their first kiss as Husband and Wife, overcome with joy. I love that I can see a peak of Alyssa’s smile in this portrait as Peter held her.   Their wedding day rained as well and Alyssa still got her outside ceremony that she always dreamed of. It started to rain almost as instant as they became Husband and Wife. We took a few minutes out of their dinner to capture these romantic portraits of them. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate couples trusting me and being flexible even when the weather does not want to be flexible with us. It will all work out and we will always get portraits even if a few things have to be moved around. As for Alyssa and Peter, I think they enjoyed getting to slow dance outside alone where their first dance was originally planned. It does not get much more romantic than that!   The Flyway Lodge is a hidden gem wedding venue on Knotts Island, just over the North Carolina border. I loved getting to photograph on their property.   My favorite bouquet of 2017 goest to this gorgeous one by The Hanging Gardens.   Torie and Kevin’s daughter kept calling herself the princess of the day, and was in awe of her Mom’s wedding dress. I love her looking up at her Mom’s dress!   I became a preferred vendor at Norfolk Botanical Gardens this year for weddings and I am so excited for the opportunity!  If I could pick a photograph to show you my favorite quote about marriage it would be this portrait below! “Marry your best friend. I do not say that lightly. Really, truly, find the strongest, happiest friendship in the person you fall in love with. Someone you can laugh with. The kind of laughs that make your belly ache, and your nose snort. The embarrassing, earnest, healing kind of laughs. Life is to short not too love someone who lets you be a fool with them. Marry your best friend.”   If I was giving a superlative out for the wedding I cried the most at it would be Monica and Joshs’ wedding day! I tear up at least once or twice at every wedding but theirs stuck out to me as the wedding this year that I ugly cried behind my camera… multiple times! Monica’s father and step father have the most endearing relationship together, who both shared first looks with her, walking her down the aisle, and dances. Joshs’ mother cried during their dance and sang their song to Josh with tears rolling down her cheeks.   Alyssa and Tyler are Old Dominion University alumni just like me and Alyssa and her maid of honor, Brianna are my sorority sisters. I was a couple years older then them but I was extremely honored to be chosen as Alyssa’s wedding photographer. Getting to hangout with this bunch and photograph them on their day did not feel like work at all!  I could have photographed Alyssa in her dress and that veil all day! She looked her most beautiful when she glanced over at Tyler, who was making her laugh!    The cutest baby of 2017 definitely goes to Aislynn, Rene and Hunter’s daughter and their flower girl.   Rene’s dress was absolutely made for her! She wanted a boho style and sleeves! I thought she looked absolutely stunning! What a year it has been, a huge Thank You needs to be said to all of my couple from this year! You help me live my dream of being a wedding photographer and having it as a career! I got to play a part in all of these couples special days. I got married to my soulmate and I got to be a bridesmaid three times this year! This year is going to be hard to beat but 2018 is looking to be another amazing year with a few dates still available!

If you got all the way to the end of this blog post and you are planning your wedding for 2018, first off CONGRATULATIONS! Secondly, if you contact me for your wedding photography and mention this blog post I will discount any wedding collection booked by $200 off. 

Specials for elopements and adventurous couple sessions are available as well for 2018. (Think mountains, hiking, unique locations for your ceremony, etc). I want to go on an adventure with you and your fiancé!