This year was different than any other, in a lot of good ways. I got to photograph two gorgeous elopements, one at Fort Monroe Beach and one at The Historic Post Office in Hampton. I had two military weddings, my first Jewish wedding, and almost zero travel all year long…and as much as I love travel, it was wonderful to sleep in my bed the night after a wedding most of the time!
Each time I approach a wedding, I put pressure on myself to do something different. I truly want to capture the individual personalities of the bride, groom, and their friends and family, because no two weddings are the same…and they shouldn’t look like each other, either! Fortunately, when I walk into weddings and already know the couple from their engagement session, it’s easy to remember why I love them as a couple and why they love each other. From there, each pose and each moment is completely individual, and while I will always take the smiling-at-the-camera family pictures, so many of the in-betweens are uniquely beautiful to every day…
2019 Wedding Favorites
Langley Air Force Base Wedding | Hampton Roads Wedding Photographer | Jacob + Tess
I don't believe it's an accident that people come into our lives, and this idea is one that has held so true to me in photography. I have always loved that through this blessing I get to call a job, I get to meet people I never would have met and be a part of one of the biggest days of their lives. Each person I meet is someone who holds a special place in my heart, and Jacob and Tess are no different.
It was so evident that Jacob and Tess kept their marriage as the main focus of their wedding day. Even when it was pouring while she got ready, Tess was not fazed one bit. She knew at the end of the day she would take his last name, and they would be together always. As luck would have it (or maybe not just luck!) the rain stopped right when we went outside for bridal party portraits, and it held off again during the bride and groom portraits...
Langley Chapel Air Force Wedding | Military Wedding Photographer | Daniel & Hattie
It's a little surreal that I met Hattie a year ago this month. When I first sat down to talk with her, I left knowing we would instantly become friends. Throughout the months, as we emailed back and forth about life changes, met for their engagement session, and laughed over cups of coffee, I got to know the beautiful heart of this girl who was preparing to walk into life as an Air Force wife.
Daniel and Hattie met in high school and although they were not immediately interested in each other as more than friends, that soon changed as they began to grow closer through each interaction. The uniqueness of their relationship was always in their independence - although they loved each other, Daniel always allowed Hattie to be herself and vise versa. This led Hattie to live in China for a semester, and it gave Daniel the freedom to join the Air Force.
The months leading up to the wedding were stressful - anyone who is a military spouse knows that plans can change at the last minute! - but through it all Daniel and Hattie remained steadfast and focused on the end goal of becoming husband and wife. The strength of their love was obvious not just on their wedding day, but during the many years leading up to that point.
Daniel and Hattie - what can I say? Thank you for being such a strong and enduring example to me. Thank you for welcoming Nathan and me in with open arms throughout our relationship. Thank you for being open, honest, and vulnerable. I love both of you and though I am excited for the many places the Air Force will take you, I will certainly miss seeing both of you. Many blessings on your new family!
Click here to see their travel-themed engagement session!
Click here to see their wedding feature on The Knot!
These ladies were a blast to spend the morning with!
Drop. Dead. Gorgeous.
After the Arch of Sabers, we took the bridal party around for some fun shots on the Chapel grounds.
In a special touch, Hattie used her bouquet to pay tribute to her late grandmother.
Such happiness!
After getting out of the limo and into the reception, Daniel and Hattie danced the night away.
There was a caricature artist who spent hours drawing personalized portraits of the wedding guests. Such a unique touch!
The wedding wouldn't have been complete without the groomsmen throwing the groom into the pool, right?
They exited to a group of guests waiting to toss airplanes at them!
And we will end with one of my favorites - a sunset portrait of the bride and groom. Congratulations, Daniel and Hattie!
And many thanks to everyone who made the day happen...
Photographer: Maria Grace Photography
Hair: Oasis Salon
Dress: The Inspired Bride
Shoes: Calvin Klein
Flowers, Design, and Coordination: The Main Event by Emily and Cindy
Ceremony: Langley Air Force Base Chapel
DJ: Ray LaPointe
Reception: Langley Air Force Base Officer's Club
Transportation: Ashworth's Limousine Service
Caricature Artist: Geoffrey Preudhomme
Cake: Creative Cake Designs