A Paynefield Farm Plantation Wedding in Spring | Tappahannock, Virginia

Kristen and Wes are married and their southern spring wedding at Paynefield Farm was everything as beautiful as I could have hoped for such a sweet couple!

When I arrived that day, I was immediately welcomed in as family.  To be honest, I felt a little like family to begin with.  I photographed Kristen’s senior portraits when she graduated college, I worked with her and Wes for their engagement session, and I had been in touch with Kristen so much over the last few months of planning their wedding.  I always say that I love when strangers turn into clients and clients turn into friends and Kristen and Wes are a prime example of that because these two have such a special place in my heart now!

Hair and make up continued while I started warming up with detail shots.  I later met with Wes and his groomsmen for a few shots of them prepping their final touches.  When I came back upstairs in time for Kristen to get into her dress, I could tell that things were starting to feel really real!  The tears for everyone started the moment that her mom saw her in her dress and handed over an heirloom ring to wear that day.  After that, laughter and smiles broke out in full force as we fluffed Kristen’s dress downstairs in front of the grand staircase, but only after an unplanned daddy daughter first look that naturally unfolded as her father walked down the stairs to view his little girl as a bride for the very first time.

Winds blew at 15+ mph hour that day, but I didn’t even realize during the ceremony for being so focused on how perfect that time was for Kristen and Wes.  His mother played music before walking down the aisle to take her seat after Wes and his father had taken their spots at the alter as groom and best man.  Kristen’s mother cried as she she watched her first baby girl be escorted down the aisle by her father to vow forever to the man she loves so dearly with Christ in their hearts.  

After the two were pronounced husband and wife, we jumped right into family portraits.  Kristen and Wes are so family oriented and care so much about their people and wanted to make sure that everyone was included.  Bridal party photos soon led way of laughter before jumping into bride and groom portraits and we headed to the reception for the sweetest first dances!

Just as the sun started to set, I snuck these two away for the last bit of light on their wedding day to capture additional bride and groom shots.  I felt like it was the first part of their day that everything slowed down and they had a chance to just hold each other and laugh as husband and wife.  These were some of my favorite images all day!

Once we arrived back to the reception, dancing broke out like I was not even expecting!!!  During portraits, Kristen told me that Wes liked to dance and he shrugged as if it was no big deal.  What they didnt tell me was that he, his mom, his dad, and his sister all were great dancers that had no problem cutting a rug and that every guests there would be moving their feet on the dancefloor!

It was such a perfect day in every way.  These two made me feel like family from the very start of working together back when we booked their date.  I’ll never be able to say it enough – but having kind, caring couples like this to work with makes my passion even sweeter because it is such a blessing to serve them with loving hearts. 

Kristen and Wes, I just adore you both and am so excited to see what the future has in store for you two.  You both were lovely on Saturday, but I think the thing that shined the most about you two was the fact that there was a flood of confidence when you stood hand in hand during your ceremony and I could tell just how completely certain it was that you were holding the hand of the person that God chose specifically for you.  I am so grateful you trusted me to be a part of such a monumental day in your lives and I hope that you love these sneak peeks until your full gallery is complete!!  Hugs to you both!