10.5.19

We met Brittany & Alan several months ago and were so excited they booked their day with us! It wasn’t long before we did their gorgeous engagement session which not only showcased the car Alan and his family work on, but the beautiful soon to be bride and groom! To this day, it’s a shoot clients still talk to us about and even ask to borrow the car 😂

As the months dwindled down, it was getting close to the day they have been planning for quite sometime! They had decided on their venue and it was the beautiful Cacapon State Park. We knew it was a beautiful wooded area and would make for some gorgeous photos!

We started off by meeting Brittany in their bridal cabin and taking a few detail shots of her stunning dress. On the hanger it was beautiful, on her... it was just amazing! We also went to the reception to take some shots of the details and everything that made their day special. The groomsmen were sipping on whiskey and getting ready and that surely made for some fun and laid back photos! There was a nice corner area in this reception hall that gave off just enough light that we could get a super styled shot of the groom and his whiskey. It didn’t disappoint!

We hustled back to the cabin where Brittany and her bridesmaids were dressing and getting ready. Brittany wanted to do a first look with her dad and of course, that brought on some sweet photos that I know they will both surely treasure.

Brittany and Alan are all about keeping their guests happy and wanted a short cocktail hour, so they had decided on a first look and doing family photos before the ceremony. After her first look with her Dad, we headed straight to pick up her groom and went to this nice nestled spot in the woods with a blanket of yellow leaves on the ground and got him in position. He was nervous and anxious, but in the best way possible! We did the big reveal and his reaction has to be my favorite of any first look we’ve done. He was in awe, complete awe.

I was always on the fence about first looks, but over the years I’ve became such a huge fan of them! In my opinion, they make the bride and groom feel more connected since their nerves aren’t nearly as high in front of one another as there would be with all of their guests. It gives an opportunity to really focus on one another. Either way, sweetest reaction ever! He twirled his bride around with his jaw wide open and they were both so happy. The best part wasn’t even that, it was when he got back in our car and he looked at me and said “I can’t get over how beautiful she is...” 🥰 We went ahead and did their photos and had a nice variety! There was the woods, a bridge and a dock in walking distance of one another. It was a dream!

We were keeping on track with our time and we began the family photos. It was an overcast day and there was a perfect little area for family portraits. They went perfectly! That’s always the toughest part of the day, I think any photographer would agree with me 😂

The ceremony was beautiful and intimate, filled with their own vows that made you laugh and cry, a dip kiss and the perfect way to exit as husband and wife... a flower send off! It made for one of my favorite photos of the day!

After a few more last minute family pictures, it was time to get the wedding party together and head to the lake. The lake was a favorite for all of us and we are so happy the weather and sun cooperated so we could use it! We had to of course bring the mustang out for one of the final images of the night and we loved it!

Jason and I are so happy for Brittany and Alan! They are so in love and everyone knows it. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for these two! We wish you both a lifetime of love, laugh, and happiness ❤️

Vendors

Venue | Cacapon State Park

Hair | Amanda Buchanan Guthridge

Dress | Potomac Bridals

Tuxedo | Dana’s Tuxedo

Cake | Snix Snax Shax

Flowers | Flowers Unlimited Designs & Boutique

Catherine & Tyler Henry Wedding 09-22-18

Sept. 22nd couldn’t have been a better day for this couple to exchange their vows. Not only was it the first day of Fall (YAY!!!) but, the weather was absolutely perfect! The overcast day was going to give us the best light in a shade less field and just enough light to capture the mountains. Catherine and Tyler are high school sweethearts and wed in front of a stone rustic fireplace at Skyline Ranch Resort with their family and friends. Jason and I were eager to take detail shots of the tables filled with cakes that Sweet Escapes Home Bakery had created. It was sentimental and special as Catherine is a baker and made these treats for her guests to enjoy.

We love working with local businesses and she always provides us with the the tastiest and photo worthy smash cakes we use in our sessions, just ask our one year old clients! This wedding was filled with lots of hard work from their family and friends and turned out beautifully. From the flowers, cakes and food to the decorations, table pieces and photo booths - it all was fantastic! Seeing Catherine in her stunning one of a kind dress and Tyler’s sleek purple suit, we knew the photos would be nothing short of amazing! We were excited to use a head turning horse drawn white carriage as a main prop for their Bride & Groom session that Shenandoah Carriage Company provided.

Since I have known the Bride for quite sometime, I knew one of her loves and passions is animals so we just had to get a shot of her with one of these gorgeous horses - which led to the black and white photo. One of my personal favorites from the day! Jason and I had such a great time shooting such a special day for this awesome couple and look forward to what the future holds for them!

Congratulations Catherine & Tyler!
We wish you a lifetime of love, laughs, and happiness.

Rachel & Fred Kinder Wedding 09-08-18

Jason and I were so excited for the Kinder’s wedding! Rachel and Fred are so much fun to be around and to work with. Their jokes keep us all laughing and the sheer love between them is a sight that we are honored to photograph. We arrived at the jaw dropping Belle Grove Plantation and it was just spectacular looking at it nestled in the mountains and fields of Middletown, VA. It was a rainy, cloudy and a little cold day but we knew if the rain could just hold off it would only give some AMAZING photos that Fred and Rachel would be sure to love! Jason and I were shooting details of the dress, rings, and bouquet in a window seal of this little cottage that everyone was anxiously getting ready in and was the rain coming down! Sure enough, the rain had stopped just in time. Once leaving the cottage and heading to the ceremony site to check in, there was a gorgeous antique fire truck. After all, the bride and groom were fire fighters! So not only was it stunning with the red and rustic look, it was sentimental to both of them. I couldn’t wait to capture that special moment Fred would see his beautiful bride and her loving father on the truck at the end of the aisle. It’s always my absolute favorite part of the ceremony and it’s one of the reasons I love being a second shooter! The ceremony made you tear up, laugh, and smile - the perfect combination for any wedding! The reception was held at the Millwood Station Reception Hall and we have to say, the center pieces were all different for each table and we knew it took a lot of time and a whole lot of coordination! The party was hopping, which was no surprise considering their family and friends are just a pleasure, fun to be around and always kept you laughing. Everything from start to finish went off without a hitch and my goodness was it a fun time for everyone!

Congratulations Rachel & Fred!
We wish you a lifetime of love, laughs, and happiness.

Danielle & Greg Trivett Wedding 09-01-18

Jason and I had the pleasure of shooting such a beautiful wedding this past weekend. It was at the gorgeous Wollam Gardens in Jeffersonton, Virginia and just about every flower that was there was in full bloom. It made for amazing photos and all the little personal touches and details of the wedding only made it even better. We were so honored to catch the grooms wide-eyed and cheeky smile when he turned around and saw his blushing pregnant bride beaming up at him during their first look. That moment creates the most beautiful candid shots that can possibly be taken. There is no directions needed on how to pose or look and everything is so natural. Those kisses and looks are authentic and you can capture so much in this special moment if you are okay with forgoing the traditional meeting at the altar.

We went straight into shooting their Bride & Groom Private session which allows for more wiggle room and more time since it doesn’t have to be crammed into a cocktail hour along with other family portraits. We were elated that everything worked out the way it did because immediately after their first kiss, special handshake and announcing them as a couple for the first time- you heard a loud clap of thunder. And for the next 45 minutes it was a torrentuous downpour! They say rain is good luck on your wedding, they did get plenty though they surely don’t need any luck.

Both were content just being in a room as Mr. and Mrs. and just letting the rain fall outside. We were able to get some great family shots on the front porch of this beautiful farmhouse once the rain had lightened a bit. Then it was straight to the party, where they began their first dance to Chris Stapleton’s “More of you”. As they were wrapped up in each other’s arms and singing to one another - you could observe the guests with tears and smiles on their faces and we were delighted to capture and be apart of it all.

We were able to get some great family shots on the front porch of this beautiful farmhouse once the rain had lightened a bit. Then it was straight to the party, where they began their first dance to Chris Stapleton’s “More of you”. As they were wrapped up in each other’s arms and singing to one another - you could observe the guests with tears and smiles on their faces and we were delighted to capture and be apart of it all.The simple and personal touches were just beautiful and will be remembered by all who attended and was just a photographer’s dream!

Congratulations Danielle & Greg!

We wish you a lifetime of love, laughs, and happiness.