Intimate Wedding in Chesapeake | Chesapeake Wedding Photographer | Chris + Rebecca

Intimate Wedding in Chesapeake | Chesapeake Wedding Photographer | Chris + Rebecca

Marriage is a huge commitment. Marriage when kids are involved becomes a whole new matter entirely. When Chris and Rebecca said their vows, they did so before the typical friends and family...but they also had her three children by their side. It was the most touching moment of the day as the kids helped exchange rings, then plant a new family tree that will grow and flourish through the years as these two families are now one.

Their vision for their day, an intimate backyard wedding right on the water in Chesapeake, was a celebration of this close-knit feeling that would last as the sun set and the couple drove away (in a Viper, no less!). All Rebecca wanted was to feel like a bride, capture the love she had found in Chris, and relax on a gorgeous summer day on the Elizabeth River. She got it all and more. Together these two have the most natural and sweet interactions - it's a love you just can't fake, and a happiness that will last through the yearsโ€ฆ

Smithfield Winery Wedding | Smithfield Wedding Photographer | Kenny + Mackenzie

Smithfield Winery Wedding | Smithfield Wedding Photographer | Kenny + Mackenzie

For a long time Kenny and Mackenzie didn't look twice at each other. He was just the guy who worked for her dad, and she was away at college. But on one fateful day several years ago Kenny made a trip to visit her and they began to fall in love over Mellow Mushroom pizza and rich conversations. Eventually they would begin dating, get engaged, and buy a house together, but they never could have predicted any of it would happen when they first laid eyes on each other.

Their wedding day was uniquely gorgeous and absolutely relaxed from start to finish. They had the privilege of being the FIRST wedding at the Smithfield Winery and after seeing the setup, I know brides will be flocking to this stunning new venue! Blush peonies were the highlight of Mackenzie's all-wood bouquet (no, I'm not kidding!) and her dress was simply amazing, with all-over lace and a train that stretched for miles. Beyond that, these two took the most of every opportunity for pictures (I counted at least 4 separate times we took bride and groom portraits!) and they prioritized fun and comfort over stress on a day that flowed smoothly throughoutโ€ฆ

Harley's Haven Wedding | Smithfield Wedding Photographer | Eric + Kaleigh

Harley's Haven Wedding | Smithfield Wedding Photographer | Eric + Kaleigh

It never ceases to amaze me that, over and over again, two people love each other enough to choose the other for the rest of their lives. This means choosing that person in the best times and the worst, in times when you like them and all those times you don't. It means choosing to hold their hand through the storms of life, even if sometimes the storms make their way into your very own house. Eric and Kaleigh have been together long enough to weather many storms together and when they finally stood in front of each other at the aisle, they knew what it meant to commit their lives to each other.

From start to finish the wedding day felt effortless, like it was meant to be all along. Kaleigh and her ladies laughed their way through the morning, punctuated by more serious moments as she took it all in - the moments before she officially became his wife. Eric swore until the day before their wedding that he wouldn't cry, but when he finally saw his bride walking down the aisle he couldn't hold back the tears. From goofy inside jokes to wrinkle-your-nose kind of laughter, the moments Eric and Kaleigh spent together were truly the most memorable part...