An Elegant Early spring historic Cavalier hotel Virginia Beach VA

Lindsey + Grant’ s Blush and Lavender Spring wedding at the Cavalier Hotel

A casual encounter at one of the local places down in Virginia beach, Chicks, is where this love story began. Lindsey always had a rule that she refused to give any guy at a bar her number. She even stuck to that rule the night she met Grant. Grant ended up doing some detective work and found her on facebook. He would then ask to take her out on a date for about a month until she finally caved and accepted his invite.  

Their first date was dinner at HK. They arrived at seven pm and were shocked when the waitress came back and told them it was almost midnight and they were about to close. It was an instant connection.

A little wine tasting and dinner at their favorite French restaurant in Charlottesville kicked off the proposal day. Grant rented out the restaurant’s wine cellar and popped the question to Lindsey. He decided to choose that location because that is the exact place where he fell in love with her. 

They exchanged vows at the beautiful Cavalier on the Hill surrounded by blush golds and different hues of lavender. The sun was shining and spring was in the air. It was the perfect start to their forever.

Lindsey and Grant, we wish you many happy years ahead complete with date nights filled with bike rides, sipping craft cocktails and lots of puppy snuggles with Kilo and Willow!

Vendors to thank:

Ceremony/Reception: Cavalier Hotel

Hair Stylist: Dahlia for Daes (@dahliafordaes)

Makeup : Kristine Marie Artistry (@kristinemarieartistry)

Tuxedos : Men’s Warehouse

Florist : Pansy & Ivy (@pansyandivy)

DJ : Bobby B Entertainment (@bobbybevents)

Cake : Flour Child Bakery (@flourchildbakery)

Dress : Madison James gown from Silk Bridal Studio (@silkbridalstudio)

Ring : Fink’s Jewelers (@finksjewelers)

Coordinator: MaryLynn

A Flyway Lodge Fall Wedding in North Carolina : Ashley + Mason

A Rustic Country Glam Wedding at the Historic Hunt Club: The Flyway Lodge

When you think marriage is all a fairytale....think again. God sends you those trials and these two had their very first trial before the wedding day even arrived. Their September wedding was threatened by the unpredictably furious Hurricane Florence. It wiped out the southern states below Virgina. It was the first time Ole Virginia was under a state of emergency for a hurricane. Vendors and locations were shutting down and boarding up all around. These two were forced to rescheduled their wedding as they feared for the safety of guests. In light of the situation, their wedding hashtag created itself, #HurricaneHatchell. Luckily, their new rescheduled date ended up being PERFECT, despite the chilly temperature (which was the perfect excuse for Ashley to wear her grandmother's vintage fur shaw). She danced the night away under the stars with her groom in front of a fairytale country castle also known as the Flyway Lodge.

Now, let me share a little background on this sweet love story. In ninth grade English class, Mason would always sit behind Ashley and bug her for a pencil, paper, gum - you name it -because he was never prepared. She thought he was super weird. He was relentless. Eye rolls and sighs did not deter this young Prince Charming. She would ignore him. Then senior year, she passed him on the street when she was heading back from OBX. Well, hellooooo weird kid from ninth grade! Mason's side of the story is completely different, he would say Ashley finally paid some attention because she liked his truck. Their first date was to a truck pull, not Ashleys Ideal date.  Something must have shifted, and it wasn't just the 4-wheel drive! Since that date, they have spent the last 6 years together. There's just something about mud and trucks!

They were the definition of “opposites attract” but they both would say, they changed each other for the better.

It was the hottest day of the year. Mason and Ashley were out digging the foundation for the brand new home they were building. Ashley was so over it. She had earned a crazy farmers tan, she was hot, tired, sweaty as can be with dirt under her nails and starving. Mason had just gotten done cutting hay so he rolled up on his tractor. Doesn't every Prince Charming drive a tractor? Ashley was NOT pleased, because he mentioned how he popped into his bosses house to grab a sandwich and did not bring her one on the way back. The nerve! They cooled off from the heat and her hangriness in the tractor and listened to some music. Mason popped out and asked her to sit on the seat to help him fix something. (really, after not bringing a sandwich???) She turned to look and realized Mason was down on one knee. The best memory by far. With this couple, I'll bet there are more great memories to come! 

Vendors:

Coordinator: Champagne Pop Events

Flowers: Floral Occasions

DJ: DJ Jeff Steadman

Caterer: Pungo Catering

Hair & Make up: Mandy Sawyer Mosaics Hair salon

Limo: VA Executive Sedan & Limo

Cake & Desserts: Mallory Craft

Tent: Big Top Entertainment

Jennifer + Jorge: An Elegant Navy, White and Gold Wedding at The Signature West Neck

A wedding at The Signature Golf Course

There is no doubt that these two are meant to be. Instantly when I met them to photograph their engagement session in downtown Norfolk, I knew they were soul mates. They each share a matching tattoo “My Tú” (tell me that is not sweet?!)

Thank goodness for friends, especially Carrisa. She is one of Jens best friends (now future sister in law). She knew Jorge would be the perfect match for Jen. When the opportunity to go on a summer boat road arose, Carrisa knew this would be the best time to introduce these two. The moment they met it was instant. They knew they were going to be dating right after that.

Their first date consisted of the Indian jones exhibit in D and then they went to a movie. Jen said everything felt natural from the start.

The proposal! Every year Jens parents have an annual summer part in July. It was a scorcher out that day (about 102). Jen, who was in charge of setting up party decor (she is an interior designer after all so she was in her element) was running the party, sweating to DEATH. She was so concerned about making everything perfect because it was the first time their parents were going to meet.

Little did she know, Jorge had been planning for 5 months to propose on this day. He did it in front of the entire family and even hired a photographer to capture the moment- drenching in sweat Jenn did not care because it was perfect!

Their wedding was Elegant rustic with navy blues, pops of gold and white. Their ceremony and reception took place at The Signature. They exchange vows overlooking the putting green and danced under the tent with their closest family and friends. Congrats you two!!

Make up & Hair: Eye Do

Hair: M& M Hair

Venue/Caterer: The Signature West Neck

Bridal Suite: The Hilton oceanfront

The Inn at Middleton Place Intimate Micro Wedding South Carolina

Emilia + Matt: Charleston Inn at Middleton Place Wedding and Angel Oak Tree wedding

Charleston, SC is famous for those beautiful cobblestone streets and Historic buildings downtown such as Rainbow Row. If you Mosey off the Beaten path, you can find hidden gems such as the Inn at Middleton Place. It is tucked behind a Horse stable and touches the grounds of the Historic Middleton Plantation.

You have to look closely to find this Modern Inn. It is nestled in the trees overlooking the water, engulfed with vegetation. The definition of green. This was the place where Emilia and Matt knew they had to stay for their intimate wedding in Charleston.

The idea to tie the knot in South Carolina came about when Matt and Emilia vacationed at Folly Beach for spring break. They had heard about the beautiful Angel Oak tree and ventured down to see it. Once they got there Emilia knew, one day, she was going to Marry Matt under that tree. They spent over an hour there looking at the colossal beauty in the woods.

Their story is pretty adorable. To think it all started with Emilia’s crush on Matt since she was a freshman in High school and he was a freshman in college (her sister was friends with him so that is how their introduction happened). She thought he was so dreamy. A few springs later they kept running into each other and the timing was perfect. They fell fast and fell hard in love The rest is history.

They have shared some fun adventures traveling together and exploring new places. One of the most memorable ones was the proposal. Matt and Emilia went down to the beach on a freezing cold morning with their pup Finn. They enjoyed doing this some days. As the two headed up the dune, Matt was saying sweet things to Emilia. After sharing his affection, he dropped down on one knee. Emilia didn’t even look at the ring all she remembers is crying and tackling him into the sand with a bunch of smooches, Finn joined in with some puppy licks too. Thankfully the ring survived the tackle!

I have known Emilia (I call her Mida) since high school. To watch this girl say I do was the best. I just remember sitting at her moms house chatting YEARS ago (at least 7 now) about the start of this photography business and all of my doubts with it. She was so supportive and the moment she asked if I would travel for her big day, I was so in! It is so neat looking back and seeing how far your business has come and who has been with you since the beginning. Thanks Mida and Matt for asking me to document the start of your marriage adventure :)