charlottesville

Albemarle Estate at Trump Winery Wedding | Charlottesville Wedding Photographer | Brad + Lauren

Albemarle Estate at Trump Winery Wedding | Charlottesville Wedding Photographer | Brad + Lauren

Ever since their engagement session in Charlottesville I have watched Brad and Lauren's relationship and come to understand the kind of people they are. They are the kind of people who dress up every month to visit the children's hospital just to brighten someone's day. They are the kind of people who incorporated a host of different charities in their wedding so they could give back. They are the kind of people whose smiles light up a room, whose joy is obvious from each moment, and who are deeply in love with each other after 6 years together.

Because of this and so much more I knew Brad and Lauren's wedding would be wonderful, but I had no idea just how incredibly beautiful it would be. The Albemarle Estate on Trump Winery property was a stunning backdrop for gorgeous pink peonies and J. Crew bridesmaid dresses. Lauren's gorgeous Monique Lhuillier tulle-filled gown and sparkly Badgley Mischkas absolutely stole the show. The amazing talent of Blue Ridge Floral Design was on display with a one-of-a-kind flower-covered reception sign. Donovan-Groves Events and his team pulled off a truly spectacular wedding, dreamed up by a couple whose spirit matched the stunning decor.

The night ended in an amazing fireworks display, with Brad and Lauren dancing underneath light painted across the sky. What I will remember most is...

Trump Winery Engagement Session | Charlottesville Wedding Photographer | Brad + Lauren

Trump Winery Engagement Session | Charlottesville Wedding Photographer | Brad + Lauren

There's something so inspiring about traveling to gorgeous destinations for engagement sessions or weddings, and when the venue is as gorgeous as the Albemarle Estate at Trump Winery, newly added on last year, I knew the whole day would be amazing. Even though it had been raining all week, the clouds parted and the sun came out for this gorgeous winery engagement session.

Brad and Lauren met by chance and quickly formed what they call Team45 - their own little club for just the two of them, one that's lasted through the years. In July Brad blew Lauren away with a complete surprise proposal, and this traveling duo knew their next big adventure was just about to begin. Charlottesville stole their hearts with its picturesque mountains and vineyard backdrop, and became the place for their future wedding - as well as the most perfect engagement session I could imagine...

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