This year was a true test of grit for every person across the world! I have no doubt that for the rest of my lifetime, 2020 will be lived on through countless memes, memories of lost loved ones and the incredible wedding stories from the couples who choose to celebrate love through some of the hardest times in history. This year, despite it challenges, has filled me with gratitude more than ever before. As a business owner it is easy to get defeated and feel as though 2020 was out to get you. With every rescheduled wedding or lost revenue it could feel like another excuse to stop pushing. With loosing the entire spring season of weddings forced all of us wedding professionals to kick it into high gear for the summer and Fall. I heard on a podcast recently that you should not soley base your yearly goals on revenue, but rather by the tangible projects, lives you touched and 356 days of work you put in. SO that is exactly what I decided to caluculate this year…

14 Weddings • 24 Engagements • 38 Family mini sessions • 19 Dogs + 3 cats • 3 Proposals • 14 Albums designed• 54 Galleries delivered • 16,458 Miles driven• 1,600 Miles flown…15,891 images delivered… and countless photos shot… because seriously ain’t nobody have time to count that. BUT SERIOUSLY, I could not have done any of this without the gracious, resiliant, and loyal clients. To honor all of my wedding clients from this year I created a round up post with a few fun superlatives and highlights from this unforgettable year.

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SPRING WEDDING WARRIORS:

Isabel & Andrew | Fairfax Elopement

My one and only spring wedding in 2020 was such an amazing couple who adapted their original plans at the very beginning of the pandemic to celebrate what matters most.. the start of their marriage and a life together! Isabel and Andrew were my first friends when I moved to Charlottesville. I had the joy of being housemates with both Isabel and Andrew and was able to see their relationship grow over the years! During their small family wedding ceremony they shared the most personal handwritten vows that had everyone fighting back tears. One of the most special moments from this entire day was realizing that the spot were were taking photos in downtown Fairfax was the exact spot where my parents got married! 

THE BEST RAINY DAY WEDDING:

Elizabeth & Christian | Mount Harmon, Eastern Shore of MD

Despite all of the shifting schedules and last minute changes, I am so thankful we were able to celebrate Christian and Elizabeth’s original original wedding date! The lingering rain showers kept us inside most of the day but as soon as sunset rolled around we were able to capture the most epic misty sunset portraits!

THE MOST ELEGANT BACKYARD WEDDING:

Alec & Kristen | Private Estate, Richmond Virginia

After what felt like plan C, with back and forth planning, postponements and Covid delays, we were finally able to celebrate Alec and Kristen’s wedding day.  Alec’s childhood home was the perfect backdrop to pull off this epic wedding day, full of elegant decor, sentimental flower arrangements, vendor friends, and a lively band to keep the party going all night! They even enlisted the help of numerous friends and family to make sure the property was ready to host! See below a few of my favorite moments!

THE LONGEST DISTANCE ENGAGEMENT:

Sarah & Patrick | Williamsburg Winery 

I have never been more in awe of my couples. 4 days before their wedding at Williamsburg Winery, Sarah and Patrick had to cut their guest list by over half.  Even Patrick’s oversees deployment got extended and Sarah spent their year of engagement as a long distance fiancé, planning their wedding via email! ⁠ALL of this crazy, would make any normal person overwhelmed and hardened… but not these two. Even 24 hours before they were making decisions to move their originally planned outdoor ceremony was moved inside by summer storms. I never saw them complain, or hold back their excitement and were simply overjoyed by the fact that they were finally married. ⁠

THE MOST INTIMATE WEDDING DETAILS:

Sarai & Cristhian | Common House Charlottesville

I have loved these small intimate wedding ceremonies and being able to have a flexible flowing day! Sarai and Cristhian’s wedding day was full of joy and surrounded by their family and closest friends they were able to mix in emotional tributes and hilarious games to make their day completely unique and custom to their personalities! There were so many favorite moments, from Sarai’s musically talented family, to having her dad put in her Veil. Plus the playful banter from Cristhian and Sarai as they played the “newlywed game”. Keep scrolling to see more from their beautiful wedding day, with elegant details and a rooftop ceremony! 

THE BIGGEST WEDDING PARTY:

Kelly & Eric | Keswick Vineyard 

Kelly and Eric were a constant source of joy all morning on their wedding day, surrounded by the best hype squad of friends who helped distract from the pending weather. ⁠After deciding to make the final call and chance having their ceremony outside, Kelly slipped into her dress just as the rain started to pour. She was holding back tears as her girls finally opened her eyes to see her as a bride for the first time! Luckily we had the perfect break in the rain to have their dream ceremony, canopied by trees in the lawn of Keswick Vineyard!

 

THE MOST SECLUDED VENUE:

Andrea & Chris | Montfair Resort Farm

Listening to Andrea & Chris’s love story and seeing how their families have fully embraced the other, was such a joy! They even credit their adorable pup Gracie for bringing them together. Leading up to their wedding day was full of uncertainty with Covid restrictions and impending hurricanes, but when the day came every detail came together beautifully! Their Venue Montfair Resort farm featured, a stunning panoramic view of the mountains during their ceremony, followed by an intimate reception tucked in the woods and sunset portraits on the water! What more could we ask for!

BEST FLOWER DOGS:

Katie & Mike | The Barn at Timbercreek

When I first met Katie and Mike for their engagement session it was filled with laughter and zero hesitation about being in front of the camera! I knew that their wedding day would be no different! Their family told endless stories about how perfectly matched these two are and how their relationship allows the other person to be the best version of themselves. Every detail from their rustic Virginia country side venue, and the hand crafted florals matched this couples style! They even got incorporate their fur babies in the festivities with the most adorable flower dogs and cake topper I’ve ever seen!

MOST LIKELY TO BE CAST IN A STYLED SHOOT:

 Morgan & Rob: New Kent Vineyard Estate

Morgan and I have known each other for over 10 years and  I was so honored when she asked me to photograph her wedding! Watching her and Rob transform into the bride and groom was such a beautiful moment. Besides the fact that they both look like models and by far my TALLEST couple of the year, their easygoing energy and love towards each other made their wedding day a dream! There family shared stories about how perfectly paired they are, and hilarious toasts that showed off their personalities. One of my favorite moments from the entire day was during the ceremony they took a moment to honor the couples in their life who are supporting them as a new married couple! It was such a powerful symbol of the meaningful connections they have created in their relationship!

 

THE MOST UNIQUE WEDDING THEME:

Elizabeth & Jon: Kylan Barn

My final wedding of the year was with these high-school sweethearts who planned the perfect Fall celebration! Their wedding decor featured bundles of apples and a mix of burgundy and blush tones to fully compliment their style. Jon and Elizabeth’s first look was one of my favorites of all time. Despite being together for a decade, they were still full of nervous excitement to finally be husband and wife! Their reception kicked off with the most epic choreographed dances full of lifts and twists and wedding party collaborations. Keep scrolling for a few of my favorite moments!

 

If you need another full dose of fun couples, check out last years 2019 wedding round up HERE!