Founders Inn Wedding | Virginia Beach Wedding Photographer | Stephen + Laura

Founders Inn Wedding | Virginia Beach Wedding Photographer | Stephen + Laura

What happens when you have 2 hours allotted for bridal party and bride and groom portraits? I was SO excited coming into this wedding because I knew having so much time would give Stephen and Laura the gift of so much variety in a relaxed space on a day that may otherwise be simply movement from one event to the next! These two first met in their church youth group way back in high school and have been together ever since. Even though they live in Utah today, they celebrated with family and friends on the East Coast with the most perfect summer weather I could imagine.

It was so obvious that the marriage vows meant more than just words to Stephen and Laura. Their high mass at St. Gregory's Catholic Church in Virginia Beach reflected the enduring nature of their marriage, and a prayer beforehand with the special ladies in Laura's life solidified their sincerity. With handwritten love notes read before the ceremony and one of the sweetest first dances I have witnessed, this couple truly means the world to each other - and have become each others' world...

Intimate Smithfield Elopement | Smithfield Wedding Photographer | Xavier + Karen

Intimate Smithfield Elopement | Smithfield Wedding Photographer | Xavier + Karen

While I love all the pomp and circumstance of a wedding day, there's nothing quite like an intimate elopement that makes me fall in love with photography all over again. Xavier and Karen wanted a simple, sweet ceremony that only involved their closest family as they began their journey together. They chose a private house in Smithfield at Cypress Creek Golf Course as the backdrop for a beautiful ceremony.

Each moment of their day was so special, but my favorite part is the way these two looked at each - with full excitement, joy, and love for each other. They incorporated sweet moments into their ceremony that would truly be memorable. With Xavier in his dress blues and Karen in a gorgeous wedding down with the most amazing bouquet, forever has never looked better. Read on to see more beauty from their day..

St. Luke's Church Wedding | Smithfield Wedding Photographer | Vinnie + Melanie

St. Luke's Church Wedding | Smithfield Wedding Photographer | Vinnie + Melanie

When it comes to the wedding day, the business of each event taking place can often dictate the events as they occur. This can be both fun and stressful for everyone involved! At Vinnie and Melanie's wedding, though, the contrast of a slow day filled with long moments of peace was perfect for their personalities, and from start to finish time was our best gift.

Vinnie and Melanie were married exactly two years after their first date at St. Luke's historic church in Smithfield, Virginia's oldest church. Melanie wore the sweater she had chosen for this date that began a beautiful love story that would continue forever. With just her maid of honor by her side, we laughed and chatted the morning away as the ceremony time approached. Vinnie, his nerves slowly growing as each minute passed, chose to have his brother Steven stand by his side as he said I do...