Oh how I love when brides choose to add bridal portraits to their wedding collection! It's a Southern tradition that I never knew existed but have since fallen in love with - and it didn't take but one session to convince me. For those who do not know, bridal portraits happen before the wedding day. Since brides schedule hair and makeup trials in advance, it only makes sense to try on the wedding dress, grab a gorgeous bouquet, and visit your favorite location (whether in Hampton Roads or somewhere else) to take pictures in advance of the wedding day. While I always make time for solo bridal portraits on the wedding day when the timeline allows, these create the opportunity for so many more iconic images of the bride by herself, preparing to say I do.
I first met Ellen a few months ago during a gorgeous sunset destination engagement session in Northern Virginia, and I was so glad she would be traveling down to Yorktown for bridal portraits just a few months later. We skipped the beach and walked all around the quaint downtown area near Yorktown Victory Monument, even finding beautiful robin's egg blue shutters to utilize, matching perfectly with the theme of her wedding day.
I have saved these for weeks waiting for their big day to arrive and now that Alex and Ellen are married, I can finally share them! All I have to say is that if you think Ellen looks stunning in these portraits (and oh does she ever!) just WAIT until you see their wedding blog go live on Thursday. Ellen is a classically gorgeous bride, beautiful from the inside out, and I was honored to celebrate with her all the way from engagement to the wedding day.
Hair: Tamra Bouska | Makeup: Color Works by Lauren | Dress: Celebration Bridal
