Kimpton Lorien Hotel Wedding | Alexandria Wedding Photographer | Ryan + Jessica

Kimpton Lorien Hotel Wedding | Alexandria Wedding Photographer | Ryan + Jessica

On Saturday, right in the heart of Old Town Alexandria at the Kimpton Lorien Hotel, Ryan and Jessica were married in front of their favorite people in the whole world. The morning was filled with anticipation as Jessica got ready with champagne, one of the most amazing wedding dresses I have seen, and her best friends by her side. She was relaxed, happy, beautiful, and finally ready to enjoy the day she waited for so long to arrive.

With emerald dresses and a black-tie theme, Ryan and Jessica's wedding was a day of classic elegance and glamour and from start to finish the wedding day was nothing short of fun. We dodged crosswalks and cars to take pictures on King Street with a towering monument in the background. Guests sat at two long tables in an intimate reception, able to laugh and talk all during dinner. When it came to the reception, the DJ absolutely threw down and the dance floor was not empty even one time...

Williamsburg Winery Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Rick + Lexi

Williamsburg Winery Wedding | Williamsburg Wedding Photographer | Rick + Lexi

Rick and Lexi were supposed to get married all the way in Key West, Florida...and then along came Hurricane Irma. As anyone knows who is reading this, the city was damaged beyond immediate repair, leaving families devastated in the wake. Upset as she was about their wedding plans changing, Lexi kept calm and re-planned her wedding in a manner of days, realizing how much worse the damage could have been if our city had been hit by such a great natural disaster.

Though it was planned last minute, this wedding was beautiful down to the very last detail, thanks to the amazing professionals who made it all happen. Burgundy dahlias contrasted with white roses in the bouquet and centerpieces. The courtyard of the Williamsburg Winery was quickly set up for the ceremony. The dress had already arrived and a tiny naked cake was the perfect addition to their intimate dinner reception.

There was a festival happening simultaneously at the winery and when we went outside, Rick and Lexi realized the band playing was one of their closest friends! We took the bridal party down and reverse wedding crashed the party...it was absolutely hilarious! The band dedicated a special song to the newlyweds, they danced in front of hundreds of guests when so many of their friends and family couldn't make it, and the whole celebration was the cherry on top of what turned out to be a perfect day...

Regent University Wedding | Virginia Beach Wedding Photographer | Taylor + Cynthia

Regent University Wedding | Virginia Beach Wedding Photographer | Taylor + Cynthia

Tears flowed freely at Taylor and Cynthia's wedding, from the first look to the moment Taylor saw her walking down the aisle to the heartfelt speeches that happened during the reception. These two started dating less than a year ago, but they immediately knew they wanted to spend their lives together. On a beautiful fall day they pledged to do just that, and their love was obvious from the moment they first laid eyes on each other all the way until the last dance.

The wedding itself carried beautiful touches of sparkly gold for Cynthia's fun personality to a classic navy palette, with adorable gold bottles decorating the sanctuary and an all-white bridal bouquet that was a knockout despite the limitations of finding flowers after a hurricane! There was not a cloud in the sky all day, and the sun wrapped Taylor and Cynthia with warmth as they shared a sweet first look at Regent University, where her father has worked for over 20 years.

Their ceremony was centered around not just their love for each other, but their mutual love for God and their desire to have Him first in their relationship. It was a beautiful way to start a marriage, and I was honored to be a part of it...