jos a bank

Christopher Newport University Wedding | Newport News Wedding Photographer | Doug + Jen

Christopher Newport University Wedding | Newport News Wedding Photographer | Doug + Jen

Excitement. It was written all over Jen's face all morning as she anticipated what the rest of the wedding day would hold. She couldn't stop from smiling as she opened her gift from Doug and wiped the tears away, or as she slipped into her wedding gown, or as she began to walk down the aisle toward her groom. Jen's laughter is one of her best features, and all day long it rang out as she celebrated the most joyful day of her life.

Doug and Jen are deeply committed to one another, and it showed throughout their day. Two pastors spoke during the ceremony - one who Doug has known from childhood and one who became important to them as they met and began to date at their church's small group. The best man told stories of how deeply Jen would listen whenever Doug taught the lesson, and the maid of honor recounted how much stronger Jen and Doug are together than they were before they became one.

Stormy weather threatened all week long..

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...

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...