You know it’s going to be comfy when your couple shows up in flip-flops for their eSession. But you REALLY know you’ll understand each other when they’re in Chacos.

Lauren and Andrew are a great couple who you can tell are just meant for each other. They’re getting married next July but wanted their engagement photos while there was still a little fall in the air and some color in the leaves. Well, we got it in just in the nick of time as the weather turned a few days after we got together. So they picked it right. In fact, it was a beautiful evening and almost the perfect weather. But it’s always kinda nice to have a cloud or two in the sky for a little drama.

They were truly scouts as I took them all over the place and they just kept on smiling. I had a few new spots in mind (with downtown construction as it is, you never know when your favorite spot may hold a construction dumpster!) that I wanted to try out downtown and light was getting a little weak but still held out.

So here are just a few of my favorites. I’m blogging from a cafe in Williamsburg where I’m sure tomorrow’s bride is close by doing a “rain go away” dance for tomorrow. Is it fair to ask for the rain to stop after a summer like this? Well….for a few minutes at least! Please?? After all it has rained for about three days straight now.

I dropped by Roanoke College to scout out a few locations for Christie and Khaled’s wedding just a few days before the ceremony. It’s always nice to have that extra time when covering a venue as big as a college campus. Standing at the campus map I got a ring on the cell phone and it was the bride and groom who just happened to be around town and spotted me walking towards the campus. The sweltering heat was a sign of things to come, but they joined me for a little mini tour of campus with Khaled’s parents in tow, having just arrived from the beautiful Mediterranean coast where it was a balmy 75 degrees. I think it was 100 degrees this particular afternoon and they were feeling every degree I’m sure.

We scooted through the Administration building and it seems that Khaled was quite the man on campus as everyone we ran into knew him and was glad to see him. I prodded him a bit on this and he agreed that he knew just about everyone there before finishing up two years ago.
As it turned out, the weather wasn’t much cooler when the big day arrived, but everyone seemed to be up for the occasion and everything went off without a hitch. The AC in the church struggled a bit, but it seemed to be under control by the time 4 pm rolled around.

It was indeed a beautiful day, but really, aren’t all wedding days beautiful?

Ok…..I can’t help it. I LOVE photographing details. If it glitters, glows, has lots of color, or is good to eat….I can’t help myself. I’m certain that eventually I will catch my camera on fire. The other day I was going through some details shots that haven’t made it to the web site yet and I thought I would give a little preview here.

Tasty color!

‘

Ahhhhh…….now I feel better.

Ahhhhhhh……warm summer mornings are made for waterfalls. My favorite time to mountain bike is just after the forest comes alive but before the heat of the day sets in. So what a perfect time to catch up with Jennifer and John for their eSession at Roaring Run.

When I suggested the venue which is close to their home, they were pretty excited; and neither were afraid of climbing over a few wet rocks. What a bonus to get in a little hike while getting to know another great couple.

Young love….can’ beat it!

the sun was just staring to come up through the tree line….

a cool looking rock to climb down on …

the sun was a little harsh in this spot so I thought it would make for a nice texture shot…

this is my favorite spot at the falls……

and a little fish….

and then we stopped by the old iron furnace on the way back….

See you in a few…..

Kemper

Two beautiful people very much in love, a gorgeous day, a grandfather performing the ceremony on a balcony overlooking the Chateau Morrisette Winery; what more could make the perfect wedding day?

The dress was gorgeous, the bride a picture of beauty and poise. The groom, as verified by his brother the Best Man, is one of those people everyone loves, and it was easy to see why. The family was gracious and absolutely wonderful to work with.

The bride and the Maid of Honor started out at Zee’s Salon…….at 8am! So much for a late snooze.

It was a bit of a ride to the winery from there, and things got just a tad behind but with a day like this…..is there REALLY anything to be concerned about?

The bride was cool as a cucumber…LOVE IT!!

and it shows……Beautiful………

Then things got under way….. and it was a GREAT day.

The Ring Bearer did an outstanding job, sometimes a little coaching goes a long way.

details…details…

then they released the butterflies…..cloud timing was awesome!

then into the reception….. lot’s of love…..

but we sneaked out for a little photo session…this one seemed right for a little vintage fun…..

then back to enjoy a great reception dinner with some delicious Chateau Morrisette wine…

and of course, the first dance

and some fun with the kids….

……this one has made me laugh all week…

Finally, Andrea and Nadeem were off to enjoy a little time by themselves before rejoining friends for an evening in Roanoke…..

Andrea and Nadeem, I hope you were able to hook up for a fun white water day on your travels. If not, the New River isn’t going to dry up anytime soon…..or will it? (We need some rain….just not on Saturdays!)

Thanks so much for letting me be a part of your day. Here’s to a great couple and a great family. Best wishes for a happily ever after!

Kemper

This past weekend I had the pleasure of working with the awesome Carl Menge of Pixel Perfect Photography for the wedding of Morgan and Josh at the beautiful Inn at Trivium in Forest, VA.Morgan and Josh were fantastic to work with and you can tell what a great couple they are by all of the friends and family that not only showed for the wedding but had a blast.

The weather was beautiful and enough can’t be said about how Donna and the staff at The Inn made everything go off without a hitch. This place is PERFECT for a wedding with beautiful guest rooms, a great ballroom that is has it all, and grounds that make for a beautiful backdrop and outdoor event space. And the staff was friendly and helpful. What more could you ask for.

Here are just a few shots of the day so you can check out this fantastic couple on a “perfect wedding day”.