This year…whew. It kicked my ass. Actually, I think it kicked everyone’s ass! Instead of doing the traditional “Best of” blog series we do every year, I wanted to take a more comprehensive, chronological look back on 2020. It was a whirlwind and I want to take you all along for the ride.
Before I begin, I wanted to say that we are SO. GRATEFUL. There have been so many wonderful vendor friends, clients, friends and family members that truly kept us sane this year. I have a few specific shoutouts, but they will come below. Also, we are all healthy, and so is our family. We both contracted Covid, but we recovered and were able to stay home and not spread the infection to anyone else.
Lindsay + Adam
One of the first weekends of 2020, a few weeks before the pandemic caused the world to shut down, I was able to join Sadie Lynn Photography at one of my FAVORITE venues – Early Mountain Vineyards. They had an unseasonably warm winter day, so we got to take tons of portraits outside. Both the bride and groom had tons of style and they whole day was just joyful. Check out some of my favorite moments below.
Other vendors: Floral – Colonial Florist, Desserts – Cake Krums, Hair/Makeup – Charlottesville Makeup Artist LLC, DJ – DJ Cluster.
Hillary + Zach
Anthony and I got to work with Nikki at Nvision Photography and Cinema (one of our vav vendors!) and we had a blast! Hillary and Zach had such good friends and family surrounding them, and boy did they know how to party. It was an overcast day at the Inn at Mount Vernon Farm, but their joy was radiant. They even got to surprise their guests by announcing their pregnancy! We had tons of fun, and it was great to have a nice, full wedding – our only one of the year.
Other vendors: Videography – Nvision Photography and Cinema, Coordination – Another Wild Hare, Catering – Ambrosia Catering, Florals – Flourish Roots Florals, DJ – Kelton Higgins, Hair & Makeup – Wendy Brown, Rentals – Valley Heirlooms & Festive Fare.
Lori + Sam
These two were able to squeeze their celebration in right before the major shutdowns happened. For that, we are so grateful! They had a beautiful sunrise ceremony followed by donuts and mimosas. Later, the pair and a few of their closest friends danced, drank and even rode the mechanical bull! We were so happy they got to say I Do before the stay at home order went into effect.
Other vendors: Venue – Wolf Trap Farm, Catering – BBQ Exchange, Dessert – Passionflower Cakes
And then…the world shut down. Anthony got sent home to work from his desk in the bedroom, my grad classes stopped meeting in person, and we started to only go out once every couple weeks. It was horrible. It somehow feels so close, yet so long ago.
Megan and Dan
These two were the first couple we had to truly be affected by the closures. They chose to elope on Skyline Drive, just days before it was shut down to prevent crowds from hiking and gathering in groups. We met them at McCormick Gap Overlook right off the Waynesboro entrance to Skyline Drive, and they had a ceremony just the two of them and their officiant. It was the most pure commitment, where all that mattered in the moment was each other and officially becoming man and wife. We were so grateful to be there (distantly) to capture it! Their reception is scheduled for late spring 2021, so we are truly hoping we can shower them in celebrations by then!
Vendors: Florals – Faded Poppy, Bride’s Dress – Stella York from Amanda’s Touch Bridal and Formal, Groom’s Suit – Classic Menswear and Tuxedos
Athena + Sam
I don’t even know where to start. These two friends mean a lot to me, and I was so honored to be able to capture their intimate gathering of family at their family’s home on the Mattaponi River. It was not the first (or second) date they chose, but it ended up being a perfect evening. Once again, less people and “events” made it truly about the marriage, which I loved! In order to reduce the number of individuals and protect everyone, I shot this wedding solo. I ended up staying until dark and then drove home happy and tired!
Katelyn + Josh
After the stay-at-home order lifted, I got to work with Ali Haney, a wonderfully sweet and talented photographer. She was 37 weeks pregnant, and asked me to shoot with her in lieu of her husband so that someone could take over if she went into labor (!!!). Thankfully, it was an uneventful, warm day and the Blue Ridge Mountains absolutely were showing off for Katelyn and Josh. More from this wedding is coming soon, but here are some of my favs right now!
Other vendors: Venue – The Barn at Turkey Ridge, Florist – Willow Branch Flowers, Caterer & Baker – Hot Cakes, Bridal Hair & Makeup – Jeanne Cusick, Bridesmaids’ Dresses – White by Vera Wang at David’s Bridal, Groom & Groomsmen Tuxes – Indochino, Reception Band – Riverside Lights, Invitation Suite – Shutterfly.
Lauren + Ben
We had such a fun afternoon taking engagement portraits of these two! It was a warm June afternoon, but these two beat the heat like champs. Ben is a college football player and was only here for a couple days before he had to go back to training camp. Still, he made sure his fiance had tons of fun (and I think he had fun too!).
Special thanks to Faded Poppy for the florals, Ali & Co. for hair and makeup, and Swannanoa Palace for being a gorgeous backdrop!
Kaitlin + Deion
This is the last section of part one! These two snagged the ever-popular 6-20-20 date, and decided to continue with an intimate elopement with their closest family members in attendance. The pair were actually moving just days later to Colorado to pursue a doctoral degree – so fancy! The ladies at Thatch Winery worked hard to make sure they still had everything they wanted on their big day, and for that we are grateful!
Other vendors: Venue – Thatch Winery, Florals – M&M Flowers Virginia, Catering – Mission BBQ, Cake – Paradox Pastry, Bride’s Dress – Amanda’s Touch Bridal and Formal, Groom’s Tux – Amanda’s Touch Bridal and Formal.
P.S. Check back next week for the second half of the year!
