kimpton lorien hotel and spa

Best of Weddings 2017 | Business

Best of Weddings 2017 | Business

Where did 2017 go?! It felt like just yesterday that I was staring a new year in the face, and all of a sudden here I am, doing the exact same thing, marveling at how time flies and how incredible one year can truly be.

I will probably say this each year, but 2017 may have been the best year so far. With every wedding season my confidence increases, my skills have grown, and my couples are still as amazing as ever. This year I spent about half my time in Hampton Roads, in venues like the Williamsburg Winery, Two Rivers Country Club, Saude Creek Vineyards, and more. I also ended up doing a lot of traveling, from the Plantation on Sunnybrook in Roanoke to the Kimpton Lorien Hotel in Alexandria, the beautiful area of Asheville, and even all the way up to Reading Country Club in Pennsylvania.

June was by far the craziest month of the year with 4 weddings in 3 weeks, and a double header weekend that had me shooting a wedding in Williamsburg on Friday and one near Philadelphia the very next day. To top it all off, just when I thought I would get some rest, we welcomed home our little baby girl. I know that isn't a wedding highlight per se, but it absolutely rocked my world...

Kimpton Lorien Hotel Wedding | Alexandria Wedding Photographer | Ryan + Jessica

Kimpton Lorien Hotel Wedding | Alexandria Wedding Photographer | Ryan + Jessica

On Saturday, right in the heart of Old Town Alexandria at the Kimpton Lorien Hotel, Ryan and Jessica were married in front of their favorite people in the whole world. The morning was filled with anticipation as Jessica got ready with champagne, one of the most amazing wedding dresses I have seen, and her best friends by her side. She was relaxed, happy, beautiful, and finally ready to enjoy the day she waited for so long to arrive.

With emerald dresses and a black-tie theme, Ryan and Jessica's wedding was a day of classic elegance and glamour and from start to finish the wedding day was nothing short of fun. We dodged crosswalks and cars to take pictures on King Street with a towering monument in the background. Guests sat at two long tables in an intimate reception, able to laugh and talk all during dinner. When it came to the reception, the DJ absolutely threw down and the dance floor was not empty even one time...