Bluemont Vineyard Wedding: Julie + Brandon

The forecast called for rain.  60% chance.  ALL day.  It was pouring during my entire drive to meet up with Julie at her hotel, raining while I photographed her getting ready, and raining during my 30 minute drive from the hotel to Bluemont Vineyard and while I photographed her details inside.  No outdoor portraits, I thought.  No portraits and no outdoor ceremony at this beautiful vineyard with an amazing view.  But on a wedding day, you just have to go with the flow.  And that was Julie.  All smiles, laughter, and happy tears as she got ready.  No stress, just delighted to be marrying the man she was head over heels in love with.

Brandon was getting ready in the room adjacent to Julie's, and I loved that I could pop in and chat with him as well.  And like Julie, joy surrounded him at the thought of marrying his true love, the girl he knew was "his type" the moment he laid eyes on her.

This was a wedding I had been looking forward to photographing all year.  Julie and Brandon are so easygoing and fun, the type of people you could see yourself hanging out with and sharing fun stories and laughter.  So it was no wonder seeing them surrounded by family and friends who felt the same way.  Julie and Brandon were loved and cheered, and several impromptu speeches during the reception were a testament to the closeness the guests felt to this special couple.

Brandon put together an amazing gift box for Julie to open on their wedding morning.  Julie is a photographer as well, and he wanted to give her something she could use in her business.  He settled on the perfect gift - an iPad!  But he didn't stop there.  He filled the box with love, including a special perfume for Julie to wear with a sweet note that read, "Of the five senses, the sense of smell is unique because it is closely related to memories.  Wear this today and remember our wedding forever."  Swoon...

Ohhh, Badgley Mishka, you do make some amazing shoes.  I love these ones that Julie chose to wear!

Julie and Brandon opted for a first look (which I LOVE!) so we would have plenty of time for portraits before the ceremony.

And miraculously, the rain stopped just in time for us to walk around the beautiful vineyard for some amazing outdoor portraits!

Julie is also a talented graphic designer and designed all of their save-the-dates, invitations and programs.

That stunning view...

Julie warned me that she would cry during their vows.  I was ready and waiting...

Kathleen of Elegant Momentz did an amazing job decorating the space at Bluemont.

I loved the local, raw summer blossom honey favors from Great Country Farms, which is just across the road from the winery.  And Brandon created the signature drink for their reception - a Berry Lemonade Spritzer......it was delicious!

Brandon's family used to own a bakery in Pennsylvania, so they made a table full of these homemade goodies from the same recipes sold to all of their customers - what a treat!

Julie and Brandon, your day couldn't have been more amazing - with the cloud cover creating the perfect softbox, your love for each other was the sun to brighten every moment of the day.  Thank you for the honor of allowing me to be a part of it all!

Accommodations: Hampton Inn & Suites Leesburg
Wedding/Reception venue: Bluemont Vineyard
Hair/Makeup: Perry Warren
Florist: MelleFleur
Cake/cupcakes: Sweet Things by Kim
Decorator: Kathleen of Elegant Momentz
DJ: Southern Sound Productions
Caterer: Savoire Fare Limited
Favors: Summer blossom honey from Great Country Farms
Officiant: Sandy Queen Pin It

Strong Mansion Wedding: Amanda + Dave

They were HOT.  And I'm not just talking about Amanda and Dave and their chemistry together.  I'm talking about everyone.  Bride, groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen, children, guests....  The heat and humidity that has been suppressing Virginia was joined by a derecho (go ahead, look it up - I had to!) that came through Friday night and knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses in the area, including the wedding venue.  Wait, what?!  Yes, the venue had no power, and the temperature was to reach near 100 that day, with high humidity, and somehow food also needed to be served.  But Amanda didn't put all her effort into planning and also design all her wedding florals to not have the show go on.  (Yes, she created all her own bouquets and arrangements - but more about that later!)  From her demeanor at the (thankfully air-conditioned) hotel, she didn't give away signs of stress at the current situation.  She was to marry her high school prom date, and nothing else mattered.

With 3 generators brought in to run the kitchen and power the tent lighting at Strong Mansion, the evening couldn't have been more beautiful and magical.  Somehow the weather felt a little cooler and the humidity felt a little lower, and Amanda and Dave and all of their guests celebrated with smiles and laughter all evening long.

This bouquet?  Yes, Amanda made it!  When she told me she created all the flowers for her wedding day (including the table arrangements), I was expecting, well...smaller.  Not these amazingly full and incredible pieces of art.  Amanda designs and creates wedding florals as a side job, and she decided she would make all of her own for her own wedding.  When she told me she hadn't been sleeping much the few days prior to her big day, I finally understood why!  How incredible is this bouquet?!

The look in Dave's eyes are that of a man truly in love...

(Yes, Amanda created this centerpiece for the escort card table too!)

The grounds of Strong Mansion made for some amazing portraits...

Amanda and Dave, you belong on the cover of a magazine!

Ohhh, you two....!

Amanda and Dave, thank you so much for having me share in your incredible day - I couldn't have spent it with a more amazing couple than you!  xo...

2nd Photographer: Maria Vicencio
Venue: Strong Mansion
Hair: Katie Dunn
Makeup: Lorie Ulloa
Florals: Amanda!!
Cake: Yia Yia's Bakery
Caterer: Better Events Catering
DJ: Maynard Edwards
Lighting: Perkins Productions


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