When I first met Jeannette and Marty and discussed all their plans for their wedding, I couldn’t have been more excited. A ceremony in the Italian Gardens at Maymont, a reception at the Maymont Nature Center, a first look, a ceremony flash mob, choreographed first dance, and a photobooth. Jeannette and Marty are to say the least, FUN! Working in the performing arts field, this wedding was a well executed production. From all the cute details to their fun dances. I had a great time working with them and the weather could not have been any better!

Every wedding with a photobooth that I have photographed or attended in the past few years has proved that a photobooth is always a huge hit. I have noticed that the majority of the guests spend most of their night in the photo booth taking photos (I am totally one of these people if I am a guest). It is so much fun and I have debated for a while if I wanted to add it to my wedding package. I have been hesitant mostly because it was another element I would have to worry about when shooting a wedding and I didn’t know who would “man” the booth for me and manage my equipment. I also knew I wanted to have a booth with enough space that people could get in large groups or even jump/dance around. But when my super fun wedding clients Jeannette and Marty requested it with their package, I knew it was a great time to start with the booth. I hired Katherine Smothers, a friend/co-worker of mine, as a second shooter and she set up the equipment and worked the booth for me at the reception. She did such an awesome job and it was so fun to watch the guests go in and out of the booth all night. I had a blast getting all the props and I hadn’t had that much fun prepping for a project in a while. I plan to incorporate different pattern backgrounds, props, and black & white images depending on the client’s interest. Here are some of my faves from the night. Sneak peek wedding photos coming soon!

Maeghaen is one of the sweetest, most laid back girls, but also probably the most organized bride ever! She made my job so easy! This was one of those pretty but chilly days. The ladies were definitely freezing outside during photos but they were all great sports. Maeghaen and Jack got married in Irvington, VA and then had their reception at the Piankatank River Golf Club. I loved all of the bright colors in their wedding! For some reason, most of the weddings I have been photographing haven’t had an official grand exit which can be an awesome photo op. So I was really excited when Maeghaen told me she wanted to do one. It just feels like it really helps to finalize the event and leave it on a really fun note.

Ellen & Travis’ Wedding was held in one of the most beautiful ceremony locations I have ever been to, Eden Tide in Deltaville, VA. Several of my friends have had their weddings there, and knowing some of Ellen’s friends, I knew this was going to be a fun, crazy wedding. Unfortunately, the rain didn’t help start things off, but the clouds parted just long enough to have the ceremony on the lawn in front of the water instead of under the tent. This was a serious party, with an awesome band, and even a guest appearance by the groom and his groomsmen on stage. The guests went crazy and it was so much fun to capture! I loved working with Ellen and Travis, who are just easy going, good people, and obviously very in love.

I am reminded every time I have a wedding or shoots scheduled where I grew up what a very special place it is. Brooke and Billy contacted me to photo their wedding in Deltaville, a town near Urbanna where I grew up. Now that I have been living in Richmond for over 10 years I finally realize how lucky I was to grow up in such a beautiful place. Both sides of my family are from this area and both of my grandfathers made their living on the “rivah”. It’s a simple place, with untouched beauty and great people. It’s truly special.

Kathleen was a former co-worker of mine at Richmond Ballet and friend in the Richmond dance community. So I was super excited that she chose me to photograph her wedding in Alexandria. Kathleen and Christian are the sweetest couple, and their friends and family were all so wonderful and supportive. The ceremony and reception were held at the lovely Hollin Hall. I loved how Kathleen and Christian incorporated live music in to the entire evening, with a guitarist during the cocktail hour, then the ceremony and a great band during the reception.