Holden: Newborn session in downtown Norfolk VA

One of our newest Newborn members of the SWP family! Welcome Holden. He was so SO good for his session. We even did a little outdoor shooting since the weather was perfect. Gotta love that pretty light that peeks through in the Freemason district.

Ginny+Nick: Corolla North Carolina Elopement

A Whimsical Corolla North Carolina Elopement

It all started with a whisper.....and maybe that whisper didn't win Ginny's heart right away, but it sure did get her attention! Ginny and Nick met unexpectedly through friends in what could only be described as a romantic comedy. However, some stories need to be shared out loud by the people who lived them, so we will just say this story ended and began with "I do!". 

On a perfectly beautiful summer day in July, Nick and Ginny eloped.

Wait! It began as a family vacation in Corolla, North Carolina. The couple had some time off from their busy lives at the children's hospital in Washington, DC. Ginny's family had rented a beautiful cottage on the coast. A few friends flew in to enjoy some time together......why not get married?! Within weeks, everything had been planned. A certain blonde photographer from Virginia just happened to have an opening in her busy schedule. A yoga instructor, who is also a floral designer, just happened to have time to create the most whimsical floral melange of glorious blooms and succulents any of us had ever seen.

The weather could not have been more cooperative if they had sent in a special request to Mother Nature herself. Then there was the dress. It seemed as though it had fallen from the pages of a Midsummer Night's Dream! When everything is meant to be, it all just has a way of coming together. So on that perfect summer day, Ginny and Nick stood side by side, in front of an intimate group of family and friends (and a whole bunch of loved ones via Face Time) and vowed to love and cherish one another forever. Everyone basked in the glow of love and summer sun. Even the ring bearer couldn't contain his happiness as he tiptoed between the bride and groom, danced down the aisle, and stopped from time to time to give his momma, the maid of honor, a few hugs and cuddles. After the I dos, in true Nick and Ginny style, they celebrated their vows with doughnuts and Prosecco! 

Then they were off to Currituck County's historic Whalehead Club for photos. Shoes were cast aside and smiles were contagious. Laughter rippled through the salty sea air. The sun dipped low in the sky as the couple walked off hand in hand to join everyone for their first meal as husband and wife. It was a perfect ending to a perfect day. Cheers and best wishes to Ginny and Nick!

Acara & Jack: Summer Wedding at Meadowbrooke Farms Bed & Breakfast

This was definitely a beautiful Summer Soiree out on the Farm. Their wedding colors consisted of mint (yall know my mint loving heart was excited to see it EVERYWHERE that day!) which added the perfect pop of color around the rustic barn. They exchanged vows at the back of the property under a huge tree while guests viewed and waved their customized program fans.

Twinkle lights shined down on a wall collage of white antique frames with photos of these two love birds. Acara's aunt L.A. Phipps helped execute and create Acara's vision and it was perfect.  Opposite of the wall collage they added more rustic touches with soft white tulle walls and large branches that looked like they came from the tree they exchanged vows under. Jack's wedding gift to Acara was a necklace with a similar looking tree engraved with their wedding date & first dance song  (so darn thoughtful!). 

Fun tidbit! Since the newlyweds last name is Miller, they had one of the best hashtags "#itsmillertime for their party guests.

It all started as a blind date. "Our families have been friends since we were little, but we never met until they set us up at our family beach week. I did not want to talk to him and was very against being set up!" Acara explained about her first meeting with Jack. Once they met they went on 3 dates that week. Their relationship kept going strong once they got home from vacation. They started dating when Jack was 17 and Acara was 16. Just babies!

Their first date was with Jack's older brother and his girlfriend. The double date consisted of go-cart racing and mini golfing. At the end of the golf round, Acara realized she  lost her phone in the golf cart. They had to head back and search ALL of the golf carts to find it. Every time Acara misplaces something Jack always jokes that "I should have known then that you would loose things alot.

The proposal. Fast forward somer years later. It happened during family beach week (where it all began). Acara knew it was in the near future since they went ring shopping together. The day of, Jack looked like he was going to vomit, would not eat dinner and had to take a nap (not the norm Jack behaviors).  She had a strange suspicion that this day would be it since her family said they were taking family photos on the beach but her grandma did not give out a dress code... then she started picking up on more suspicious behavior because everyone was acting a bit off. She  asked her cousin if she should wear a certain dress,  with a wink. Jack threw on his nicest polo that he packed and sent her cousin down the beach with a letter and a poem written in it asking Acara to be his bride. And that was the start of Mr & Mrs Miller!

Vendors to thank!

Ceremony & Reception Location: MeadowBrooke Farms Bed & Breakfast

Hair stylist: Alex Garrow

Tuxedos: Men's Warehouse

Florist: CHarlene Wallace

DJ/Band: Jason Fox

Invitations: Shutterfly

Dress: Blush Bridal

Caterer: Baxter Simmons

Designer/Stylist of Decor: LA Phipps

Amanda and Hunter: Virginia Beach National Golf Course Wedding

Virginia Beach National Golf Course Summer Wedding

Rain clouds, lightening, and a downpour could not keep Amanda & Hunter down on their big day.  The clouds rolled in and rained on their ceremony site but cleared up just in time for them to walk down the aisle. The weather had been off & on but towards the end of the night, they got lucky with a double rainbow!

These two met through a mutual friends at a party - "Nothing fancy", Amanda states. They had known each other for a few years and then lost touch. But as fate would have it,  they ran into one another and rekindled their friendship. Amanda said "After seeing each other for the first time after a couple of years it was all she wrote! We have been inseparable ever since!"

Their first date consisted of Sushi. Hunter is a relax laid back type of guy whose ideal date night would be snacks and snuggling, while Amanda would love a planned out night from Hunter FULL of surprises. Little did she know the most important question she would have to answer was going to be a complete surprise!

Here is Amanda's version of their proposal story.

"It was My grandma’s 70th birthday (also our annual Christmas party) with both Hunter and I’s ENTIRE family (like 85 people!).  Of course it wouldn’t have been a Christmas party without Santa and Mrs. Claus in attendance. Santa pulled a box out of his big red bag after reading stories  to the kids. Santa pulled out an ornament from his bag and  inside that magical gift, was Hunters wedding proposal, asking me to marry him. When I turned around Hunter was down on one knee with our whole family and friends standing around! He somehow managed to keep the secret from me along with my entire family for THREE weeks! Biggest surprise EVER!"

Virginia beach National was a great backdrop for their wedding. Lush green grass, a rainbow & cotton candy clouds that lit up the sky. Perfect ending to a perfect day!

Ceremony: Virginia Beach National On The Green

Reception: Virginia Beach National On The Green

Florist: Sherry Grothman, The Flower Events & Gal 

Cake: GiGi's Cupcakes at Hilltop 

Invitations: Zazzle 

DJ: Bill Hale with Hale Entertainment VA Beach 

Dress: Studio I DO

Tuxedos: Philip Michael Fashion For Men 

Hair: Stacy Nemes with Shear It Up & Haleigh Bailey with Chop the Locks 

Makeup: Tamara Owens 

Ice Sculpture: Ice Art 

Violins: And I Love Her Violins 

Brown Maternity session: Secret Garden Virginia Beach VA

Baby #2 for the Brown family is a BOY! We cannot wait to meet Mr Dayton. These guys have been with me since the very beginning. I am so very grateful to have a loyal client like them. It makes my heart completely bust with joy to see this family grow. Fun tidbit the last photo on this page we recreated from Olivia's maternity session. It just so happened our location now had a sweet red barn and blooms!