If you’ve read this blog before, you’ve probably noticed that I am a big dog lover. So when I find myself working with a couple who actually tell me “we want a million dogs” I can’t help but be delighted! Catherine and Tom not only made that statement, but their brand-new status as husband and wife likely owes a debt to a certain Pug/Jack Russell mix named Homer!
Catherine and Tom first connected through Match.com. Her first email to Tom was titled ‘Homer’ and she swiftly fell in love with both man and pup! Tom proposed on their rooftop, which he’d transformed with twinkle lights, flowers and a new speaker system playing some of their favorite music. Afterwards, the two celebrated for hours together before breaking the news to anyone else. So romantic!
I knew it would be fun to work with these two from the moment I heard they love dogs as much as I do. But I was in for even more of a treat than I first realized! When I arrived at Catherine’s parents’ home on the day of the wedding, her mother Susan greeted me with a big, warm hug. She smiled and said excitedly “it seems that I’ve known you forever.” I felt so welcomed! The ceremony took place at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, and the reception was held at a new venue, the Sassafras Fork Farm in Rougemont. This family-run working farm/venue is so beautiful! It truly is rustic and elegant at the same time. At the end of the celebration, I saw Catherine and Tom thanking the venue owner Mike and their wonderful wedding planner Jayme Rhodes, saying ‘you made our dreams come true!’ This couple was so kind to all their vendors. This was truly a wedding that I left with a happy, full heart! I hope you enjoy these sneak peeks from their day.

A huge thanks to Jayme with Hazel Weddings and Events, you are a dream to work with!

Exquisite flowers all grown at the farm!

Their amazing DJ Mike Morse asked all the guests to empty the barn for a private husband and wife last dance! oh my! So sweet!

Sassafras Fork Farm Wedding

Thanks Jamie Vinson for photographing their wedding with me. I love working with you!

Coordinator: Hazel Weddings & Events / Videographer: Oak City Films / Reception venue and florist: Sassafras Fork Farm / Cake Artist: Details Cake Design / Catering: Donovan’s Dish / Reception music: Mike Morse – Radio Djs/ Make-up: Lindsay Morse/ Hair: Missy – Posh The Salon / Wedding Dress: Lazzaro from Tre Bella Boutique / Bridesmaids dress: ModCloth / Groom and Groomsmen’s attire: Joseph Abboud from Men’s Warehouse

In the spring of this year, I had the great pleasure of working with Allison and Paul on their engagement session at Duke Gardens in Durham. Their incredibly strong connection lifted my heart in a big way on that particular day! Over the following months, I worked closely with Allison’s mom Leslie to prepare for the wedding. Throughout this whole prep period, I felt so lucky and grateful to be a part of Allison and Paul’s celebration. Watching a loving family come together to make a day so special for everyone was a true gift! And when the wedding finally arrived, the joy and love around this vibrant couple was absolutely palpable!
Allison and Paul were married at the same location where we did their engagement session: the beautiful Duke Gardens. The Gardens are bursting with life, and clearly tended with love, so they made the perfect venue for Allison and Paul. Their ceremony was one of the most emotional I have ever had the privilege to attend (I love emotional weddings so much!). Paul’s father played the piano as his best man sang, his siblings also sang during the ceremony, so moving! Right before Allison walked down the aisle, I saw Paul press his eyes hard holding his mother’s hand, and I could see such deep emotion on his face; he knew that the love of his life was about to become his wife. A truly beautiful moment to witness!
And the bride…ahhh the bride! Allison radiated joy and grace in the perfect dress with an exquisite lace all-over. The delicate details of her headpiece and her romantic hairstyle were so lovely. And then, to everyone’s delight, this elegant bride absolutely rocked the dance floor! When a wedding runs the gamut from deep emotion to complete joy and wild celebration, it’s simply the best!
At one point, Allison’s father took me aside and told me that he was blown away by my work. This meant the world to me. I feel so very lucky to do what I love, and to share these moments with people as kind as Allison, Paul and their families. I hope you enjoy these photos from their day as much as I enjoyed taking them. A huge thanks to Grace Leisure Events, what a joy to work with you! Their day was flawless, thank you for everything!

Thanks Katie Dickson for shooting their wedding with me, you are amazing!

Design and Planning: Grace Leisure Events / Venue: Duke Gardens / Videographer: Jon Clark Wedding / Florist: Tre Bella / Stationary: Paperless Post / Cake Artist: Details Cake Design and Scratch Made Bakery / Catering: Sage and Swift / Harpist- Leigh Stringfellow / Reception music: Randy from Bunn DJ Company / Hair and Make-up: Wink / Wedding Dress and veil: from Tre Bella / Shoes: Nina / Bridesmaids dress: Donna Morgan / Groom and Groomsmen’s attire: Bernard’s Formal Wear / Rentals & Linens: American Party Rentals / Lighting: Get Lit Special Event Lighting

I’m so excited to get to write about a wedding that I’ve been waiting for since the spring! In April, I had the pleasure of working with Stephanie and Tim on their engagement session, and I’ve been looking forward to being around their chemistry and charisma ever since! These two are high school sweethearts who stayed close over the years, and rekindled their romance in 2014. They absolutely radiate positivity and happiness, making each other laugh and smile constantly. So I knew their wedding would be a wonderful event — and it was!
The ceremony and reception both took place at the Chevy Chase Club in Maryland, a truly beautiful and historic venue. With is rolling lawns and stunning classic architecture, the Chevy Chase felt like the perfect place for Stephanie and Tim’s celebration — and what an elegant backdrop it made for their photos! The weather was so gorgeous (surprisingly warm for late September) and the day went off without a hitch. Stephanie and Tim had mentioned beforehand that getting to enjoy their guests was really important to them, so it was especially helpful that they were ahead of schedule. We accomplished most of the group photos before the ceremony! Afterwards, the newlyweds were able to be with their guests for the full cocktail hour. Yay!!!
Besides being ahead of schedule, I know that the loving, happy tone of the day was truly set by the bride and groom themselves. As I watched Stephanie and Tim together, I could see the type of bond that only years together can form. Theirs is a deep love between two souls, lifted and supported by the strong connection between their families and their kindhearted friends. Stephanie is clearly the world to Tim…and Tim is the world to Stephanie. The joy of the celebration just kept on going, and I was even able to photograph some of Tim’s famous dance moves amidst their 200 very excited guests! What a day this was! I wish them all the happiness in the world, and I hope you enjoy this sneak peek of their wedding!

Oh, and be sure to check out Stephanie’s delightful blog The Chaotic Kitchenette!

Chevy Chase Club Wedding

Thanks Susan Seidel for capturing their wedding with me and for being so wonderful to work with!
Venue: Chevy Chase Club / Florist: Philippa Tarrant / Stationary: Write for You / Catering, Cake Artist: Chevy Chase Club / Ceremony and Reception music: Free Spirit Band / Hair and Make-up: Bridal Beauty Associates / Wedding Dress: Watters / Shoes: De Mer – BHLDN / Bridesmaids dress : Joanna August / Groom’s attire: Enzo Custom / Groomsmen: The Black Tux / Videographer: Bowen Films

“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”
–Roger Caras
(Wildlife Photographer & Preservationist)

Meeting clients who dote on their animals as much as I dote on my golden retriever Ronon is always a pleasure. And that pleasure is easily doubled when the couples’ pup is included in their wedding! Last Saturday I had the great good fortune to be Cara and Trey’s wedding photographer, and their black lab Luna (whom they call their “puppy-daughter”) was a huge part of the festivities on their day! What a treat for me and everyone else too!
Luna is one of the sweetest, most well-behaved pups I have ever met! She walked down the aisle with Cara’s maid of honor Brittney, and got a huge dose of love from everyone present! The happy grin on Luna’s face showed all day long how full of love and life she is…but I think that’s to be expected, considering how kind and generous her parents are. Cara is one of the most genuinely sweet brides I have ever worked with, she and Trey took the time to talk to each and every one of their guests and make them feel special. Cara’s emotion during the ceremony was so beautiful to see. And her Hayley Paige striped dress was completely unique! I am such a sucker for stripes, and this flowing gown was a great combination of elegance and fun!
The ceremony and reception took place at the Deep Run Hunt Club in Virginia, and we had the most beautiful weather for an outdoor wedding! This location was new to me, and it had some serious rustic charm. It was perfect for Cara and Trey and their puppy-daughter, just about half an hour away from where the bride and groom first met at Randolph-Macon College. I love it when couples keep their celebration in their community, it can mean so much to them and their family and friends. I wish Cara, Trey and Luna all the best, and hope you enjoy this sneak peak of their gorgeous outdoor Virginia wedding!

Richmond wedding photographer

Thanks Sarah Der for shooting this wedding with me and for being wonderful to work with! I love the photos you took!

Ceremony and reception location: Deep Run Hunt Club / Coordinator: Make It Posh Events / Florist: Petals and Twigs / Stationary: English Tea Paperie / Cake Artist: Sweet Fix Bakery Catering: A Sharper Palate / Ceremony music: Belle Arte String Quartet / Reception music: Klaxton Brown Band / Make-up: Zoe Shebelski with Bobbi Brown / Hair: Rachel Jones with Aveda / Wedding Dress: Hayley Paige from Annalise Bridal Boutique / Shoes: J. Crew / Bridesmaids dress: Alfred Sung / Groom and Groomsmen’s attire: Calvin Klein / Custom wooden bench: Lazy Guy DIY / Alterations: Claudia Villegas with Seams Alterations