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.

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

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.

Here are a few more from Lindsey and Caley’s awesome inter-continental wedding extravaganza at Sundara. It was basically a destination wedding Southern Virginia style with people flying in from all over the world (even Mt. Everest…that one still blows me away) just to make sure these two got a proper send-off to happily ever after. Lindsey is from the States and Caley is British and they both live in London now but wanted to have a classic southern style wedding for all of their friends and family to enjoy. Moonshine guest favors, lawn games,  and the gorgeous Sundara setting made the perfect wedding celebration with lots of other little special touches that only friends and family can bring. In lieu of a toast the bride’s sister wrote a little short play that told the story of the beginning of Lindsey and Caley’s relationship. Much to the bride and groom’s surprise they were spontaneously cast in the starring roles and gave a stunning performance playing themselves! Then Caley’s best man gave a hilarious roast with classically wry British wit that had everyone else in stitches. Followed by a beautiful toast by the groom for his lovely new bride, a cake cutting with the bride’s father’s dress saber, a polka dance with accordion music delivered by the brides sister and brother-in-law, and a crowd rousing band that brought the party on, made for a completely fun evening that I’m sure Lindsey and Caley will remember forever.

Reception Venue: Sundara | Caterer: Center Stage Catering | Florist: Creative Occasions Florals and Fine Gifts | Ceremony: Green Memorial United Methodist Church in Roanoke, VA | Alcohol Purveyor: Wine Gourmet | Cake: Wildflour Cafe | Rentals: Aztec Rentals | Hair and Makeup: Les Cheveux Salon and Day Spa | Guest Transportation: Mountain Valley Transport | Couple Transportation: Rolls Royce provided by Prestige Limo | Bands: Eight More Miles and Six Stylez | Wedding Dress: Vintage Wedding Dress Company | Brides Shoes: Emmy Shoes | Bridesmaids Dresses: Reflections Brialwear

Here’s a little shout out to my friends at The Roanoker who are coming out with a brand new wedding magazine that exclusively showcases weddings in Roanoke and Southwest Virginia. I invite any of my clients who had weddings in Roanoke or points westward to enter their wedding in bridebook. Once you have completed your entry, all you have to do is contact me with a list of the images you wish to submit and I will prepare them for publication and submit them directly to bridebook.

The information they sent me states that they are looking for:

• Weddings that occurred between January 1, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2012
• Weddings that took place in Roanoke or a southwest Virginia location
• Weddings that used the services of local photographers, florists, wedding planners, caterers, venues, etc.

There is no cost to submit your wedding for consideration but, if selected, there is a fee for the design and production of your registry pages.

bridebook debuts in May 2013.  Deadline for submissions is Feb. 1, 2013. Their editors will notify the lucky brides on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.

More than 12,000 copies of bridebook will be beautifully printed and elegantly designed. Every Roanokermagazine subscriber will receive a copy and it will be on sale at Barnes & Noble and newsstands across the valley. Brides will receive 10 complimentary copies for family and friends.

As a very busy year was winding down, I was able to have a little fun with an editorial shoot back in October. Beautifully styled by Amy McArthur with a timely Hobbit Wedding theme, all the elements came together for a gorgeous shoot. Perfect weather especially for late October.  It was also a first for me as prior to this I have never worked with a pony…or an equine of any kind for that matter. At least not at a wedding. i loved it. I MUST do that again so if you are getting married on a horse or even if your wedding has a horse or pony in it, I want to be a part of it!

A BIG HUGE THANKS to the following people who offered their amazing talents and expertise to make this so beautiful.

Patty and Tom Trostle who provided Sundara, one of the most gorgeous places on Earth to get married
Jolina Goad and Tammy Carswell of Les Cheveux Salon and Day Spa who did the perfect job on hair and makeup
The awesome Mark Frye of Creative Occasions Events Flowers & Gifts (who can even decorate a pony!)
AmRhein’s Brides & Formals for that perfect dress
Healing Strides an amazing organization that brought us the charming and lovable Warrior
Charlotte’s Web Antiques Mall and Primitive Gatherings for set furnishings and props

And a special thanks to the beautiful Abby Broughton who was the most perfect model ever for this shoot.