hollyfield manor

Hollyfield Manor Summer Wedding | Shawn + Julia

Hollyfield Manor Summer Wedding | Shawn + Julia

Every bride and groom who planned their wedding in the midst of the current pandemic has had to make a million decisions and changes at the last minute and for Shawn and Julia, it was no different. They still wanted to get married on a date so special to them - April 25 - but they wanted family and friends to celebrate all together, which wasn’t possible a few months ago. Finally, they made the difficult decision to elope with just a few close family members at Roanoke College, and decided to postpone their Hollyfield Manor wedding until August when they could invite everyone they loved most in the world.

Though there was so much uncertainty surrounding their wedding, last Saturday was a beautiful celebration of two people who love each other and are deeply loved by everyone in their lives. Julia smiled all day long, tears filled her bridesmaids eyes when they first saw her in the stunning wedding dress she has gotten to wear so many times by now, and the ceremony was filled with emotion as Shawn held his bride’s hands, knowing their 8-year journey through dating and engagement was only the beginning of their lifetime together…

Hollyfield Manor Wedding | Richmond Wedding Photographer | Jake + Rachel

Hollyfield Manor Wedding | Richmond Wedding Photographer | Jake + Rachel

Marriage is a gift. It allows us to walk closely alongside someone else for our entire lives, and while that does present its own unique challenges, it also brings its own unique blessings. For Rachel and Jake, one of these gifts is the joy they have - a joy that is only multiplied when they are together. Just as they couldn't stop smiling and laughing during their engagement session, their happiness was overflowing on they day they said their I dos. There is almost nothing more beautiful than that.

Adding to the beauty of their day were gorgeous details planned to fit Jake and Rachel's simple, elegant style. The ONLY sparkly element was her stunning Badgley Mischka flats! Rachel's bouquet was absolutely stunning and carried on the navy and white theme of the wedding. And those watercolor bridesmaid dresses are some of my all-time favorites! With a venue like Hollyfield Manor as the backdrop, the wedding - with all its beauty and joy - came together perfectly…

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...