Langley Air Force Base Wedding | Hampton Roads Wedding Photographer | Jacob + Tess

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...

Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Josh & Brittany

Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Coral and gold bridesmaid

This wedding is so very special to me because Brittany is Nathan's cousin and she was at my own wedding almost 5 years ago! To be able to not just attend her wedding years later but capture each moment meant more to me than I can say.

I told Josh and Brittany so many times on Saturday that it was the most relaxed wedding I've ever been to. Everyone was pitching in to help, and everyone truly cared about making it beautiful - yet there was no stress about making things perfect. They were already perfect because of the couple, and not for any othe reason. Every time I asked Brittany how she was doing, she would answer "I'm great..but how is my mom?" and the reverse was also true. She shares such a special bond with her mom, brother, and everyone else around. This wedding was truly about family.

The day was perfect from beginning to end. The ladies got ready together while the guys enjoyed a morning out on the dock of a beautiful waterside house in Charles City County near Williamsburg. At their first look Josh told us he felt like it was Christmas, and he would never forget the moment he first saw his bride. The night ended with Bucketball, a bonfire, and fireworks that capped off the most amazing day.

Josh + Brittany, we love you both so much. Thank you for making family feel so special on your big day. Thank you for keeping us laughing. Thank you for remembering that your marriage is far more important than one day - even if that day was beautiful. We can't wait to spend the holidays with you two as husband and wife!

Hair + Makeup: Shear Style Salon | Dress: David's Bridal | Ring: Kingsmill Jewelers | Flowers: Williamsburg Floral | DJ: Michael Brown | Cake: Cakealicious | Catering: Rodman's BBQ | Lawn Games: Bucketball

Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Lake house
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Coral perfume and silver bridal shoes
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Wedding dress
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Gold tulle wedding rings
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Coral seashell invitations
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Green and white bridal bouquet
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Groom getting ready
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Groom getting ready

The guys got a chance to hang out at the dock moments before the first look.

Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Groom getting ready

The ladies got all primped, thanks to Shear Style Salon.

Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride getting ready
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride getting ready
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride getting ready
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride getting ready
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride getting ready

After Brittany was all ready, her groom waited for her outside. He was kind of excited...

Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Groom at first look
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride and groom portraits
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride and groom portraits
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride and groom portraitsCharles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride and groom portraits
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride and groom portraits
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride and groom portraits
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride and groom portraits
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride and groom portraits
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride and groom portraits
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride and groom portraits

Brittany is stunning...and Josh knows it.

Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride and groom portraits
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride and groom portraits
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Coral and khaki groomsmen outfit
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Coral and gold bridesmaids
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Coral and gold bridesmaid dresses
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Coral and gold bridal party
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Coral and gold bridal party
Charles_City_Wedding_Photo_28
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Coral and gold wedding
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Gold flower girl dress

Brittany's little brother walked her down the aisle, and it took all I had to hold back the tears.

Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Brother gives sister away
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Brother gives sister away
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Wedding ceremony
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Dogs at wedding ceremony
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Gold bridesmaid dress
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride and groom first kiss
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Pink seashell wedding reception
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Pink seashell wedding reception
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Pink seashell wedding reception

The guests had a blast playing Bucketball at the reception!

Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bucketball game
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bucketball games

I love having Nathan as my second shooter for weddings...he captured this precious moment!

Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Flower girl and ring bearer

Brittany changed into an adorable dress for the reception. After a little dancing, we headed out for some portraits as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride dancing on dock
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride and groom sunset portraits
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride and groom sunset portraits
Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride and groom sunset portraits

And this is how the day ended, with fireworks on the dock as Josh and Brittany celebrated the beginning of their forever.

Charles City Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Bride and groom fireworks portraits

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens Wedding | Richmond Wedding Photographer | Chris & Kayla

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens Wedding | Richmond Wedding Photographer | Chris & Kayla

There had been threats of a hurricane all week. Wind and rain seemed inevitable as Joaquin was bearing down on the East Coast. Kayla and I exchanged a few 'rain, rain go away!' emails as we talked about the possibilities on the wedding day in the midst of bad weather. But I had no worries about these two. When their engagement session ended with a torrential downpour and they embraced the opportunity for pictures in the rain, I knew Saturday would be no less than perfect, no matter what the day held.

Sure enough, their wedding was a beauty from beginning to end. Kayla got dressed with the dearest women in her life while Chris anxiously awaited the moment he would see his bride. I thought I was prepared for the first look with umbrellas, protected gear, and an amazing assistant, but I forgot to prepare my heart. The moment Chris saw Kayla tears welled up in his eyes, and she beamed from ear to ear. He took several moments just to admire the woman who was about to become his wife as they shared their first look...