Richard & Christina // Hampton, Virginia, Elopement Photographer

A few weeks ago, I shot my second elopement this year (you can see the first one here)! That was pretty exciting for me, considering I didn't even KNOW there is a space for elopement photographers, and back in the summer I started talking about wanting to shoot one. What I love about elopements, or at least what I know so far, is that ALL the pressure is off. If the wedding starts late, or early, it doesn't matter. There's no rushing around and finalizing all the details because it comes down to just two people, in love, forever.

On the day of Richard and Christina's wedding, it was drizzly and miserable outside. Since we were going to take some portraits afterwards with their combined family, we decided we would just delay the portion until a much prettier day. So a couple weeks later, I met three of them and spent some time commemorating their growing family.

Richard and Christina, thank you so much for letting me be one of only two witnesses on your special day. Thank you for allowing me into your family over the course of a few weeks. I hope that your excitement at being married continues for the rest of your lives.

After a rainy day on their wedding, we were ready for some good weather for family portraits!

Can you tell she's excited to be married?!

Cory & Mae // Fairfax Hall, Waynesboro Wedding Photographer

It's not often that I sit here, staring at a blog about to be written, completely unsure of what to write. I think I summed up most of my feelings about my sister getting married in my maid of honor speech (which you can read by clicking here). It's so hard to believe that Cory and Mae were married just under two weeks ago, and yet they have already started a beautiful life together.

He met Mae at work, but it took a long, long time for the two to finally get together. Their halfway-serious joke is that their first date was in a Walmart parking lot, where they met to talk and just kept the conversation going. Over time, they both realized that their feelings beyond friendship were mutual, and they began dating just over a year ago.

Cory instantly became part of our family. That first year he spent the holidays with us, I thought for sure we wouldn't see him again - it gets crazy around Christmas! But he kept coming back, time and time again, because of his love and devotion for Mae. By the time the summer came around, when Cory called me because he was trying to pick out an engagement ring, I was not surprised in any way that they were about to start their journey into marriage. When Cory and Mae finally met at the altar on November 9th, they were more than ready. 

Cory, welcome to the family. I have considered you my brother for much longer than these past few weeks, and I'm just excited it's official. I have no doubt that you will love, cherish, and honor my sister in the way she deserves. Mae, I can't help but write this with tears in my eyes. After so many years, and so much you've been through, you've finally found the one for you. I'm privileged and humbled to have spent your wedding day by your side, and I can only imagine how I will feel walking through these decades with you, Cory at your side and Nathan at mine, but always, ALWAYS, as best friends. I love you both.

The ladies spent time at the salon getting their hair done, and Mae laughed over pictures of her niece trying on the flower girl dress.

Since she faced the opposite way while getting ready, Mae had a sweet 'first look' of herself in the mirror, ready for her wedding.

Oh my heart. My sister is beyond gorgeous.

Mae filled the ceremony room with personal details and pictures that are meaningful to them.

My dad performed the ceremony, and did a wonderful job. It also led to some...interesting moments :)

...and I have no words for these, and no apologies for the incredible amount of pictures you're about to see, of two of my favorite people ever.

And then we headed over to the reception...can you tell my niece is a stole the sho?

My dad and Mae danced to a very sweet song...

...before they switched to something a little more contemporary and tore it up on the dance floor!

I struggled not to cry during my maid of honor speech...we'll pretend like I succeeded :)

Then we danced!

Finally, Mae and Cory left to begin their new life together. Congratulations both of you!

This couldn't have happened without an amazing team! More on this later...
Photography by Maria Grace Photography
Hair by Kristin at the Hair Cuttery
Cake by Buttercream Dreams
Venue: Fairfax Dining Hall
Second photographer: Chelsea Anderson Photography

Andrea & Shawn // Virginia Beach Wedding Photographer

There are some couples who are already so comfortable with each other that getting married seems like just the next step in an already beautiful relationship - Shawn and Andrea are one of those couples. I got the privilege to meet them as I second shot a wedding with Audrey Rose Photography, and I'm truly grateful to have had the chance to meet both of them.

Shawn is quiet, solid, and steady. He is clearly the one in the relationship who keeps both of them grounded. Andrea, on the other hand, is fun and vivacious, with a personality that lights up a room when she walks in. Their love for each other is a mixture of their personalities - steady, consistent, and full of joy.

Shawn's mother flew from across the country to be at their wedding, and his tenderness with her was remarkable. Friends and family from all over were there to celebrate the union of two beautiful souls, and I was more than blessed to capture special moments from through the day. Shawn and Andrea - thanks for letting me crash your ever-so-fun party! I'm so grateful that I got to be in your lives, and you in mine, for even a day. I know that your marriage will be strong, beautiful, and fun, and I hope you never lose that light in your eyes when you look at each other for the rest of your lives! 

Shawn was just so sweet with his mother - it was so obvious in real life and in pictures!

With their first look, Shawn and Andrea were in their own world, just happy to be together and in love.

We embraced the craziness of the Virginia Beach boardwalk, and had a blast taking some wedding party pictures!

...and then we heard one of the craziest best man speeches ever. He talked about molecules of hydrogen and oxygen, and all sorts of other random things - all to say that Andrea and Shawn are made for each other!

Then the dancing started...

...and it continued, for the rest of the night.