This was an editorial shoot for Roanoke Wedding Planner Magazine that I did back in June and now that the issue has hit the stands I’m going to share a few of my favorite shots that didn’t make the issue and a few that did. It was a challenging shoot with a day full of rain but we were lucky enough to get a few hours in with just enough sunlight and overcast skies to make for almost perfect conditions.

It was absolutely delightful working with Courtney Garrett, Miss Virginia 2014 who was full of enthusiasm and patience to get this done in some challenging conditions. I’m a huge fan now. She was totally in tune with everything I asked for and brought so much of her own charm and graciousness. I think it is evident here. Gorgeous inside and out, she was just perfect.

A 75? July wedding day is a gift from nature and this was a beautiful day for a wedding. This was my second wedding with this family and both were gorgeous and fun. What a privilege to be invited back for such a joyous occasion.

I think photographs speak for themselves, but I do want to point out one thing that Kristin and Luke did that I think was a very special touch that I had never seen before. They served their own wedding cake to their guests and their thought was that this was a good way to replace a trend that has long fallen by the wayside – a receiving line. I really enjoyed photographing that part of their evening and how awesome it is to stand in line for a hug and a piece of amazingly delicious tiramisu wedding cake made for them by friends. After cutting the cake they donned a perfectly coordinated white apron and got to work greeting and serving their guests. Nicely done!

Here’s a few of my favorite images from the day and as always thank you Kristin and Luke for having me be a part of your very special day. Cheers to a long happy Life together!

Venue – Sundara
Catering – Blue Ridge Catering
DJ – RSP Entertainment
Ceremony Musicians – @Roanoke Symphony Trio
Photographer – Kemper Mills Fant Photography
Florals and Decor- Kaye Moomaw Florist (Bouquets, Bouts, and some cut flowers),Suzy Bowman Cut Flowers, Arbor, Day-of Florist/Reception Decorating

Katie and Hunter’s wedding was in a gorgeous mountain setting in Lexington, VA. House Mountain Inn has a very Alpine feel and look to it and the beautifully landscaped grounds and slightly overcast day made it gorgeous to photograph. I had really enjoyed getting to know Katie and Hunter during their engagement session. I could tell they were fun and relaxed and it was obvious that they were starting off with a solid, loving relationship. Generous and kind, their wedding day proved that they live their life surrounded by friends and family who are just like them. Here are just a few photographs from the day.

Venue: House Mountain Inn, Lexington, VA
Florist: University Florist, Lexington, VA
Wedding Planner: The Perfect Fairytale
DJ: RSP Entertainment, Roanoke, VA

What a great lake wedding this was with a truly gorgeous ceremony setting on a Smith Mountain Lake point that was perfect in every way. I loved the details everywhere and it’s so nice to have that casual and comfortable feel that comes with a family home wedding. Although there was a flirt with the late afternoon thunderstorm it glided by at a sufficient distance so that everything remained outside. And we got beautiful photos of everything up through the ceremony with that perfect combo of tree dappled afternoon light and warm reflected light from the water.

It was a great ceremony, too, with lots of laughter from a couple that is quick to enjoy a little humor that is a welcome aside during any wedding. I love it when people just make up their minds to enjoy the day and be themselves.

And one detail that I have to point out were the miniature pies. Nice little touch there. Putting that one on my list of faves. 

Here’s to another gorgeous summer 2014 wedding with Amber and Brian and their family and friends. Thanks for having me as a part of your day.

Oh, this was SO easy. You had to enjoy being around Elise all day because she just wasn’t going to let anything bother her. She had planned everything, and she loved everything. Most of all these two were about having a good time with Elise casting about her dry wit with ease and Geoff enjoying every minute and every part of the day. I like that. Another gorgeous June day in a summer mostly filled with pretty Saturdays. Here’s just a few of my favorites.

Catering: Blue Ridge Catering
DJ: Forrest Surber
Event Coordinator: Amy McArthur
Florals: Creative Occasions Events Flowers & Gifts

Lots of planning goes into a wedding but when you decide to host it at your home there can be a whole lot more to it. So, when Meghan and Michael decided to have their wedding on their family mountain top property there was a lot involved in turning this spectacular location with gorgeous views into an accessible venue to properly host all their friends and family. Last year as we walked the property during their engagement shoot there was little more than a plan in the making, so when I showed up for their wedding I was amazed at all that had taken place since then. Plans are to make this site into a family gathering spot to be enjoyed for many years to come and there is no question they have made such a place. Views to the east, views to the west, and plenty to explore all around.

Here are a few images from their day. When we first got to the house there was no one there and a bird was trapped in the back porch area. Job #1 was to free the bird. That certainly has to lend good luck to a wedding day and it did because the weather was with us despite a little threat of storms in the forecast. Thanks for having me as a part of your day Meghan and Michael. It was a treat to be a part of your wedding and wishing you many years of happiness and mountain top fun for you and your families….and of course, your dogs.

Flowers – Kerry McCarty at George’s
Catering – Tracy Hamilton
Event Coordination – Debbie Turner
DJ – RSP Entertainment

It took world travels for fate to bring them together so it was bound to require a little travel just to get married. Kelly and Dirk came from Copenhagen bringing along many family and friends from all over the world so they could get married in Roanoke where Kelly grew up, and where they actually met. There’s no doubt about it these two love life and were totally on board for making their wedding day a celebration. I have to say it was so easy to photograph this wedding because they loved photography and always wanted to come out and play with me.

So, a little background commentary on some of the images.  For this wedding we have salamanders in the floral arrangements from the pond down the road where Kelly used to hang out with her friends back in the day, and we have a few portraits from the pond as well. Dirk wore his grandfather’s morning suit and tie pin and it was perfect. There are orange socks and suspenders which is allegedly a tradition in The Netherlands where Dirk was born. Of course, the groomsmen have to capture the groom and cut the toe off the end of them by tradition. This keeps the newly married groom from sneaking off through the snow in the middle of the night. Kelly’s dress was gorgeous. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one with a lace pattern like that. I thought it had hints of Gatsby style. But, perhaps the nicest touch of all was the family wedding banner that had been displayed at weddings for many generations past. It hung from the Tulip Poplar by the ceremony arbor and swayed gently in the breeze as the day went by.

Thank you Kelly and Dirk for having me be a part of your day and much happiness to the two of you always.

Catering: Blue Ridge Catering
DJ: RSP Entertainment
Event Coordinator: Amy McArthur
Florals: Creative Occasions Events Flowers & Gifts
Cocktail hour and ceremony music: The Green Boys
Cake and cupcakes: Evie’s Wildflour Wedding Cakes
Transportation: Mountain Valley Transport
Hair: Zee’s Salon & Day Spa

Meghan and Michael are going to be married this Saturday and I’m looking forward to being up on the mountain with them as they exchange vows at a gorgeous overlook on their family property. Here are a few from their engagement session we shot early last fall.

Here are a few images from Claire and Nate’s beautiful wedding at Sundara. Loved the swing-top bottles that served as water bottle, table markers and menu all in one. What a great idea and with the craft paper printing gave it just that perfect look to coordinate with the gold, turquoise and off-white accents. Kerry McCarty did the usual gorgeous job on florals and really helped me out when the bride had a little trouble finding a florist on Mother’s Day weekend.

Wonderful couple who had really fun friends and family. A little rain never hurt anybody and was it ever a beautiful day.

Catering: Blue Ridge Catering
Makeup: Makeupby Chris10
Event Coordinator: Amy McArthur
Ceremony and Dinner Band: Blue Moonshine
Florals: Kerry McCarty at George’s
Party Band: Jason Adamo Band
Furniture: Paisley and Jade
Cake: Evie’s Wedding Cakes

A beautiful day for a downtown Roanoke wedding. Liz and Michael tied the knot at St. John’s then we headed downtown for a few portraits before their beautiful rockin’ reception at The Hotel Roanoke.