Manor House at Kings Charter Wedding | Richmond Wedding Photographer | Michael + Jess

Manor House at Kings Charter Wedding | Richmond Wedding Photographer | Michael + Jess

Michael and Jess' wedding day was one full of surprises. At the first look, Jess surprised her groom with a sweet gift that he got to open as tears welled up in his eyes while he looked at his beautiful bride to be. In turn, Michael's mother surprised Jess with a gift that she had worn on her wedding day right before the ceremony was about to take place. The final surprise happened at the beginning of the reception - Michael and Jess, avid swing dancers, choreographed a very special and high energy dance to the tune of their favorite songs. From aerial moves to the theme from the Power Rangers show, each surprise made the day unforgettable.

The sweetest part of their whole day, though, was the vows - Michael and Jess wrote special tributes to each other and it was hard to see through the happy tears in my own eyes as they passed a handkerchief back and forth while their excitement overwhelmed. I wish I could copy word for word what they said here, but that is the advantage of having a videographer - they will get to relive that moment at any point during their marriage and remember their deep love for each other...

Yorktown Freight Shed Wedding | Yorktown Wedding Photographer | Matt + Lizzie

Yorktown Freight Shed Wedding | Yorktown Wedding Photographer | Matt + Lizzie

Matt and Lizzie's wedding day was made special not only by the people who were there, but by those who were not there any longer. Both families held on to the memories of precious loved ones who had passed on in the years prior, and Lizzie held them close on her wedding day. From start to finish, the whole wedding can be summed up in just one sentence, Lizzie's answer to my question about her biggest reason for being excited: "I just can't wait to marry my best friend."

So, surrounded by bridesmaids in pretty blush dresses with floral crowns and contagious laughter, Lizzie created a day worth remembering forever. What struck me most was the relationship she had with each one of her ladies - they are all fiercely protective of each other, and they were officially letting Matt into that circle of trust to take care of Lizzie for the rest of their lives...

Woman's Club of Portsmouth Wedding | Hampton Roads Wedding Photographer | Brad + Jessica

Woman's Club of Portsmouth Wedding | Hampton Roads Wedding Photographer | Brad + Jessica

When I photographed their engagement session last May, Brad told me that he just knew it would be 64 degrees at their wedding in February. Jessica and I laughed at him - there was just no way that was going to happen! But sure enough, this winter wedding fell on one of the warmest days of the year, and I happily admitted that I had been wrong to doubt!

Brad and Jessica have set all kinds of records - the day before their wedding they celebrated their 13 year anniversary. They have been together since high school through college, jobs, military deployments, and all that can happen in life over so many years. Watching these two was like seeing two seasoned professionals, with only a ceremony standing in between them and their forever...