Wayne & Sheila // Newport News Wedding Photographer

There are people you meet throughout life that you like, love, cherish, or some combination of the three. Then there are people who touch your heart in a huge way, people who you can truly call one in a million, people who make you better just by knowing them. Without a doubt, Wayne and Sheila belong in that second category.

I have watched them live real life together as they have been engaged. From family illnesses, to work struggles, to other big and daunting issues, these two have gone through the fire together, and came out holding hands on the other side. Their wedding day was nothing short of heartfelt and beautiful. Reading handwritten vows to each other, both Wayne and Sheila shed tears as they spoke of their past, and the hope of a new life together. 

Wayne and Sheila, both Nathan and I are so grateful that we know you. Spending time with you before and during the wedding day was uplifting and inspiring. We love you both, and know that whether in a trial or in a season of joy, you two will hold hands and bring each other through it all.

Click here to watch a video of their wedding day highlights.

Wedding dress details with handmade hanger (David's Bridal) (black and white)
Wedding bouquet with white calla lilies, blue carnations, and baby's breath
Bridal Details | Getting ready for a church wedding
Bridal portraits for a winter wedding, and a 'something blue' bracelet
Bridal portraits | Winter wedding | Black and white
Men getting ready | Wedding Detail Shot
Men getting ready | Wedding watch detail shot
Church wedding ceremony | Winter wedding | Black and white

Wayne and Sheila participated in a Filipino tradition at their ceremony. A veil and cord was placed over them, symbolizing their new bond as husband and wife.

Filipino wedding tradition | The Veil Sponsors
Blue one-shouldered bridesmaid dresses | Bridal party pictures
White calla lilies | Blue carnations | Baby's breath | Wedding bouquets
Groomsmen bridal party portraits | Church winter wedding
Groomsmen bridal party portraits | Church winter wedding
Casual, natural bridal party portraits | Winter wedding
Editorial bridal party portraits | Winter wedding with snow

Sheila made the most beautiful bride...

Bridal portraits | Church winter wedding | Black and white
Bride & groom portraits in the snow | Cathedral veil | Winter wedding
Bride & groom portraits in the snow | Winter wedding
Bride & groom portraits in the snow | Winter wedding
Bride & groom portraits in the snow | Winter wedding
Snowy bride & groom portraits | Winter wedding | Cathedral veil
Bride & groom portraits in the snow | Cathedral veil | Winter wedding
Ring detail shot | Macro photography | Winter wedding

If it wasn't so cold, I could have photographed snowy ring shots forever!

Ring detail shot in the snow | Macro photography | Winter wedding
Wedding reception details | New last name | Birdhouse theme
Bride & groom cake topper | Blue, brown, and white | Winter wedding

Sheila and Wayne arrived to spend time with guests as we all headed upstairs, and immediately began their first dance as husband and wife.

Creative bridal portrait | Winter wedding reception
Winter wedding reception | bride & groom first dance
Wedding guests dancing | Winter wedding reception

As the guests danced, they left notes in a suitcase for Wayne and Sheila to open on the first anniversary.

Guest book ideas | Travel themed wedding | First anniversary

And the night ended just as the day had begun, with laughter and joy for the newly married couple

Photojournalistic wedding reception | real laughter
Snowy bride & groom portraits | Winter wedding

Thanks to everyone who helped make this day amazing!
Ceremony: St. Luke's United Methodist Church
Reception: Legend's Grille at Newport News Golf Club
Dress: David's Bridal
Florals: Norfolk Wholesale Floral
Cake: Becky Sherman

Best of 2014 - Weddings & Couples // Year in Review

Life brings many joys to me, not the least of which is spending time with people, photographing their family and their love for each other. Whether it's an engagement session, a wedding, or anniversary portraits, I am so thankful to witness couples at their very best, their most in love, their most joyful.

I absolutely love what I do, and I love spending time with couples as they get married or just walk through life together. Each one of these people are so special to me, and I'm grateful to call each one of them friends. My deepest desire is to capture each couple as they truly are with each other, and I hope you can see their personalities and love shining through in every picture. THANK YOU to all my 2014 couples! I love you all dearly!

To see Best of 2014 - Family Edition, click here.

Maria Grace Photography's Best of 2014 Blog
Maria Grace Photography's Best of 2014 Blog
Maria Grace Photography's Best of 2014 Blog
Maria Grace Photography's Best of 2014 Blog
Maria Grace Photography's Best of 2014 Blog
Maria Grace Photography Best of 2014 Blog
Maria Grace Photography Best of 2014 Blog
Maria Grace Photography's Best of 2014 Blog
Maria Grace Photography's Best of 2014 Blog
Maria Grace Photography's Best of 2014 Blog
Maria Grace Photography's Best of 2014 Blog
Maria Grace Photography's Best of 2014 Blog
Maria Grace Photography's Best of 2014 Blog
Maria Grace Photography Best of 2014 Blog
Maria Grace Photography's Best of 2014 Blog
Maria Grace Photography's Best of 2014 Blog
Maria Grace Photography's Best of 2014 Blog

Trump Winery Wedding | Charlottesville Wedding Photographer | Sam + Nicole

I'll never forget one of the first emails I got from Nicole, when I knew we'd be a perfect fit for each other. She told me that she and Sam had gone to a bridal show to look for vendors, including a photographer, and they just couldn't get my pictures off their mind. It's incredibly humbling and exciting to find someone so ready to spread a kind word, and I knew from the beginning that Nicole would become a close friend.

Sam and Nicole have a modern romance - they live in a bustling metro area, and they met each other online. Through their shared love of long conversations and spending time together, they knew not too long after beginning their dating journey that it was meant to last forever.

Nicole's job requires her to have the tough love of someone not afraid to make quick decisions when necessary, but is tempered by her kind heart and her gracious spirit. It is rare to see a bride float through her wedding day with not a stress or care, but Nicole did just that. At the end of the day, she was just waiting to stand up at the front of the little chapel at the gorgeous Trump Winery in Charlottesville and say "I do" to Sam.

Sam and Nicole, thank you for inviting me to witness firsthand your tenderness, compassion, and love for each other. May your words to each other always be kind, and may you always look at each other with the same joy you did on your beautiful wedding day. Much love to you both.

Vintage 1950s wedding dress
Gold wedding shoes
Chloe wedding perfume with pink bow and flower jewelry
Purple lavender bridesmaid dresses 
Getting ready at the Omni Hotel in Charlottesville, Virginia
Black and white girls getting ready picture
Groomsmen getting ready at a hotel in Virginia
Groom getting ready picture (black and white)
Groom wearing gray and pink for his December wedding
Bride putting on her earrings on her wedding day
Bride's grandmother putting on jewelry
Bridal portraits in a hotel (black and white)
Groomsmen portraits at the downtown outdoor mall in Charlottesville
Vanity Fair groomsmen style picture ideas
Black and white groomsmen pictures walking through the street
Lavender purple dresses with gray fur stoles for a December wedding
Ideas for different bridesmaid shoes
Bridesmaid dresses in lavender purple with gray fur wraps
Pink bridesmaid bouquet with baby's breath
White and green bridal bouquet with pink carnations
Bridal portraits at an outdoor downtown mall
Bridal portraits in a vintage 1950s wedding dress

Nicole's grandmothers were the 'flower girls.' Cutest idea ever!

Grandmothers as flower girls on a wedding day

And when Nicole started walking down the aisle...

Bride walks down the aisle with her father

...the gravity of the day hit Sam as he stood at the altar.

Groom wipes a tear from his cheek as his bride walks down the aisle
Gorgeous vineyard chapel wedding

Nicole got a little teary eyed herself...

Bride cries as she says her vows to her groom on their wedding day
First kiss on the wedding day (black and white)
Bridal party portraits outside a vineyard wedding chapel
Bridal party portraits at a wine vineyard in Virginia
Bride and groom portraits in a gorgeous wedding chapel

Nicole, you are stunning!

Bride and groom portraits on a pew in a chapel
Bride and groom portraits at a vineyard
Bride and groom portraits at a wine vineyard (black and white)
Ring picture on a wooden door handle
Bride and groom portraits at a wine vineyard
Bride and groom portraits at a wine vineyard
Bride and groom December portraits in vintage 1950s wedding dress
Bride and groom portraits under an arch
Bride and groom intimate black and white portraits

Nicole put together a beautiful Jane Austen themed reception, complete with vintage books.

Jane Austen themed wedding with vintage books
Jane Austen themed wedding with floral centerpieces
Gray wedding theme with sprigs of rosemary for nametags
Jane Austen themed wedding reception
Bridesmaids talking at the wedding reception
Maid of honor speech at a wedding
Bride and groom kiss at their wedding reception (black and white)

We snuck outside for a few more pictures as the sun was setting...

Bride and groom portraits by a lake at sunset
Bride and groom sunset portraits by a lake
Bride and groom portraits in front of a barn at sunset
Choreographed first dance at a wedding
Bride's father cries during the first dance at her wedding
Longest married couple on the dance floor at a wedding
Reception dancing at a December wedding
Reception dancing at a December wedding
Sparkler wedding exit

Many thanks to everyone on the team...
Venue: Trump Winery in Charlottesville, Virginia
Flowers: Hedge Fine Blooms
Hair & Makeup: Serendipity Salon
DJ: National DJ Connection
Catering & Tablescapes: Harvest Moon Catering
Photography: Maria Grace Photography