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Fort Monroe Bridal Portraits | Grace

Fort Monroe Bridal Portraits | Grace

Grace Kelly. That's the name that kept popping into my head as I shot Grace's bridal portrait sessions - and funny enough, they even have the same first name! Grace met me at Fort Monroe in Hampton on a gorgeous fall day for bridal portraits just one week before her wedding, and when she stepped out of the car she took my breath away. Elegant and covered in lace from head to toe, her dress was not only absolutely stunning, it was perfect for her sense of style and class.

From walking down steps of historic buildings to finding little white buildings and huge trees, this bridal portrait session was one of my favorites. Grace is beautiful on the outside, but the way she carries herself speaks volumes to her inner beauty as well. She is kind, gentle, and has the most hilarious sense of humor that kept popping out here and there as I tried to make her laugh - and she was much better at that than me! Oh what a beautiful day and what a beautiful bride. I can't WAIT to share her wedding with you...

Downtown Norfolk Wedding | Norfolk Wedding Photographer | Chris + Dana

Downtown Norfolk Wedding | Norfolk Wedding Photographer | Chris + Dana

I have been waiting all year to write this blog, and it's finally here! Chris and Dana have such an amazing story that became the highlight of their wedding day. Years ago, when they were much younger, these two got married without telling anyone. They had two beautiful twin boys together but after several deployments and the hardships of life they got divorced after 5 years.

Anyone can say that marriage is hard, but these two have lived the difficulties. Everything from miscommunications to time spent apart can lead to a result you could never have imagined when you say "I do" to your spouse. But with these two, divorce was not the end of their story. They maintained a friendship and continued to parent their sons and in just 3 years time they began to fall back in love with each other. Last August Chris used Dana's birthday as an excuse to throw a surprise party in the Paragon Theater, ending with Chris down on one knee to ask the love of his life to be his forever - again...

Founders Inn Wedding | Virginia Beach Wedding Photographer | Stephen + Laura

Founders Inn Wedding | Virginia Beach Wedding Photographer | Stephen + Laura

What happens when you have 2 hours allotted for bridal party and bride and groom portraits? I was SO excited coming into this wedding because I knew having so much time would give Stephen and Laura the gift of so much variety in a relaxed space on a day that may otherwise be simply movement from one event to the next! These two first met in their church youth group way back in high school and have been together ever since. Even though they live in Utah today, they celebrated with family and friends on the East Coast with the most perfect summer weather I could imagine.

It was so obvious that the marriage vows meant more than just words to Stephen and Laura. Their high mass at St. Gregory's Catholic Church in Virginia Beach reflected the enduring nature of their marriage, and a prayer beforehand with the special ladies in Laura's life solidified their sincerity. With handwritten love notes read before the ceremony and one of the sweetest first dances I have witnessed, this couple truly means the world to each other - and have become each others' world...