elle style studio

Maymont Fall Wedding | Richmond Wedding Photographer | Josh + Kayla

Maymont Fall Wedding | Richmond Wedding Photographer | Josh + Kayla

A wedding day hurricane is not something I would wish on anyone, but if there was a bride who could handle the bad weather it was Kayla. We talked a few days before her wedding and she calmly told me that their backup plan (get married and party anyway!) would be intimate and meaningful just the same. When Hurricane Matthew blew back out to sea we knew the wedding was on in full force, but watching her maintain joy and excitement in a difficult situation is just a small testament of the person she is. And with Josh as her encourager, biggest supporter, and best friend, these two could take on anything with each other by their sides.

Kayla was the epitome of a bride creating a beautiful wedding day that also completely fit her and Josh's personalities. Seeing each other before the wedding for a first look was a decision Kayla made when she realized that her sweet, introverted husband-to-be would love the chance to have a moment of calm before the nerves set in. Her selflessness was evident the moment she made that decision, and it continued on from there...

Manor House at Kings Charter Wedding | Richmond Wedding Photographer | Michael + Jess

Manor House at Kings Charter Wedding | Richmond Wedding Photographer | Michael + Jess

Michael and Jess' wedding day was one full of surprises. At the first look, Jess surprised her groom with a sweet gift that he got to open as tears welled up in his eyes while he looked at his beautiful bride to be. In turn, Michael's mother surprised Jess with a gift that she had worn on her wedding day right before the ceremony was about to take place. The final surprise happened at the beginning of the reception - Michael and Jess, avid swing dancers, choreographed a very special and high energy dance to the tune of their favorite songs. From aerial moves to the theme from the Power Rangers show, each surprise made the day unforgettable.

The sweetest part of their whole day, though, was the vows - Michael and Jess wrote special tributes to each other and it was hard to see through the happy tears in my own eyes as they passed a handkerchief back and forth while their excitement overwhelmed. I wish I could copy word for word what they said here, but that is the advantage of having a videographer - they will get to relive that moment at any point during their marriage and remember their deep love for each other...

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens Wedding | Richmond Wedding Photographer | Chris & Kayla

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens Wedding | Richmond Wedding Photographer | Chris & Kayla

There had been threats of a hurricane all week. Wind and rain seemed inevitable as Joaquin was bearing down on the East Coast. Kayla and I exchanged a few 'rain, rain go away!' emails as we talked about the possibilities on the wedding day in the midst of bad weather. But I had no worries about these two. When their engagement session ended with a torrential downpour and they embraced the opportunity for pictures in the rain, I knew Saturday would be no less than perfect, no matter what the day held.

Sure enough, their wedding was a beauty from beginning to end. Kayla got dressed with the dearest women in her life while Chris anxiously awaited the moment he would see his bride. I thought I was prepared for the first look with umbrellas, protected gear, and an amazing assistant, but I forgot to prepare my heart. The moment Chris saw Kayla tears welled up in his eyes, and she beamed from ear to ear. He took several moments just to admire the woman who was about to become his wife as they shared their first look...