You know that feeling when you show up to a good friends wedding??  The kind where you’re so incredibly excited that your friends are about to be married that you can hardly contain your joy and your day is full of laughter?? 

Well that was the case at Friday’s wedding at Rock Hill Plantation in Stafford, Virginia.  The only difference is that these aren’t lifelong friends.  This was actually the only other time that I had seen Courtney and Billy aside from their engagement session, but these two certainly felt like old friends from the very beginning.

Courtney was beaming with smiles when I first walked in on her wedding day.  I went right into working on the details which included a Mrs Box and sparkly Kate Spade Keds, so you can imagine I was swooning just a few minutes into the day!

I was blown away again when we later arrived at their venue!  Rockhill Plantation is a gorgeous property with a double front porch and tall trees in every direction!  I knew that portraits would be gorgeous from the moment that we pulled in and sure enough these are some of my favorites!!

Courtney and Billy chose to do a first look and his face when he saw her was better than anything that I’ve ever seen from a groom when first seeing his bride!  It was a look of pure shock and excitement and being blown away by the love of his life standing in front of him.  I dare you to look at those photos and not smile because I was smiling ear to ear just witnessing it and again as I edited their images!

I love first looks because we are able to capture SO many more bride and groom portraits and its also the one part of the day that the couple gets to be together alone, laughing, holding each other, and enjoying the day without the hustle that comes from a wedding day.

If I thought that I was smiling a lot earlier in the day, my expectations were exceeded for the reception because I was laughing out loud most of the night!!  It started with awesome dance moves from the bridal party and the happy couple as they were introduced and from that moment on the dance floor was never empty!! 

My absolute favorites from Courtney and Billy wedding are below and I am SO excited for you to see the joy that they shared that day!! 

Mr and Mrs Sanford, congratulations yall!  I am so beyond happy for you too.  You’re love is so playful, yet so genuine and I just hope that cheer carries you through smiling every moment of the rest of your lives together!!  Hugs to you guys!!  Enjoy your honeymoon in the Dominican Republic!!!!

Thank you so much to the amazing vendors that made this day so special!!!

Venue : Rock Hill Plantation

Hair : Summer Muse of Chany’s

Make Up : Heather Thitsone of All Gussied Up Makeup

Bridal Gown : Ava Laurenne

Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie

Groom’s Suit : Men’s Wearhouse

Catering : Caroline Street Catering

Cake Baker : Katie Durrer

Florals : Ecoflower