I still remember the first time that Kelsey reached out to me about her engagement and their upcoming wedding… As happy as I was that she inquired with me, part of me thought that there was no way she would book with me because she was all the way across the state!  We began chatting about their wedding plans and I learned about their love story as time passed and after a few emails back and forth, I just knew that she was the perfect example of my ideal bride.  Needless to say that when we made things official, I was SO thrilled!

I photographed their engagement session a few weeks after booking and that turned out just amazing!!  Kelsey and Daniel were in fact the perfect example of what it is to be an Abby Hudson Couple and my excitement grew even more after meeting them in person and spending the afternoon chatting with them as if we had been friends for years.

Their wedding was held on a Saturday in late June at the Rockwood Manor in Dublin, Virginia.  The venue was over 4 hours away so brad and i packed up my car and embarked on a little adventure together!  He was a sweetheart for driving me out there and it was so nice to keep each other company as we traveled!  Our schedules get pretty crazy so being alone in a car together for four hours without any to do lists or tasks staring at us was amazing! 

Once we arrived at the venue, he hopped out with me to walk around and scout out all of my portrait locations before heading off to play golf at a new course for the next few hours while I shot Kelsey + Daniel’s gorgeous wedding!

The venue was amazing.  An old brick house with tons of charm, tall trees throughout the landscape, a mini vineyard in the backyard and view of the mountain tops behind the old barn.  

I was already in love with the endless possibilities of where to shoot that day and I knew that Kelsey and Daniel were going to be a blast to be with all day, so I anxiously climbed the stairs to go see kelsey for the first time since their engagement session!  I entered the room flooding with natural light and the laughs from her and her bridesmaids!  Everyone was so joyful and excited for the day ahead!

After giving kelsey a hug and meeting the bridesmaids, I started right into the detail shots!  Oh, I was in heaven already!  Bridesmaids dresses in my favorite color, sparkly heels, a gorgeous veil, and gorgeous jewelry!  So much prettiness to start the day!!

I entered back into the room with Kelsey and her bridesmaids just in time for Kelsey to open the gift that her groom had sent for her.  A hand written note to her inside of a jewelry box engraved on top and “My Girl” playing every time she opened the box- talk about the sweetest of gifts to receive on your wedding day!!!!  The next bit of time was spent touching up final details and getting kelsey into her dress.  After a few bridesmaids shots, I then walked downstairs to photograph the groom as he read the hand written note from his bride.  We stood together in a quiet room as he read her words and prepared for the moment ahead when he would be able to talk to her.

We then walked outside for an intimate moment together with the bride and groom.  They did not want to share a first look, but they did want to talk and be together for a moment before the ceremony.  Kelsey stood waiting for him in the shade under the tall trees and I led her groom out to be near her.  They stood back to back as not to see one another and reached behind to hold hands for a few moments.  They talked for a while and smiled together calm and certain for the moments to come.  Daniel then led them in prayer as he continued to hold onto his brides hand and they thanked the Lord above for this day… I seriously could have cried for hours at this point!!!

Soon it was time for the ceremony to begin.  The bridesmaids walked down the aisle and were greeted at the end of the aisle by the groom as he reached out to each of them with a high five or a secret handshake.  The bride then progressed down the aisle with her father and the look in her eyes was gorgeous.  It was the look of absolute confidence as she walked towards the man she was about to vow forever to.

The ceremony began, I Do’s were said, and the brides sister sang as the couple poured green and purple sand into a jar together symbolizing that they too were now as inseparable as the sand.  The couple made their way back to the alter as they began to recite their hand written vows.  Daniel spoke of their love story- from the first few days to the first I love you and the best memories up to that point in their life.  Kelsey spoke of her gratitude for his never ending love and how thankful she was that God created him just for her and that they found each other when they did.

The couples parents were then invited to the alter to surround the couple in prayer.  The ceremony was then complete and the couple shared an intimate first kiss before progressing the biggest smiles down the aisle!!

The rest of the day was amazing.  Some of my favorite bridal party portraits were taken followed by bride and groom portraits that had me speechless.  The reception was so joyful and the speeches from the couples siblings had everyone laughing!  We snuck away at sunset for a few additional romantic portraits before the couple walked through their bubble exit as the sun  shined for the final moments of the day.

Kelsey and Daniel- Thank you SO much for allowing me to be a part of your wedding day.  I just adore you two and I am so happy for you as you begin this new journey as husband and wife.  I know that God created you two with such big hearts and your kindness shines so brightly.  Congratulations again!  I cant wait to watch as you two grow old together!