Hooman + Priscilla | Salamander Resort and Spa Wedding | Middleburg Wedding Photographer

When you meet them, you just know - having Hooman and Priscilla in your life is like the best kind of hug. Open, inviting, friendly and ever familiar they certainly are on their own, and when they're in the same room, their friendliness, kindness and warmth is infectious.

To say we were blessed to photograph these two's wedding is not even close to describing it.

With Hurricane Joaquin threatening to rain on their love all weekend, neither Hooman or Priscilla was the least bit bothered by it. Tons of family and friends prayed for the torrential downpours to hold off, and the couple continued with wedding preparation as planned.

Sunday was one for the books. God answered those prayers and the Salamander Resort and Spa in Middleburg, VA, provided a gorgeous setting for the bridal preparation.

When Priscilla slipped into her Demetrios dress, she effortlessly floated around adding finishing touches in those beautiful layers and layers of white.

A classic, elegant yet understated white and silver invitation suite for their black-tie affair.

While back in Fairfax, Hooman and his brother/best man, ushers and good buds made brunch, toasted with bloody Marys and dressed in their tuxes. Before we moved to South Carolina, Hooman and Dean were in Small Group together, meeting, sharing life and praying together for about 2 years. And I was fortunate enough to have Priscilla in my Small Group!

When he and Priscilla got engaged, Hooman graciously asked if we would rather shoot their wedding or enjoy it as guests. The answer is that we enjoy shooting our friends' weddings! It is so wonderful to be with them, capturing their special moments for our dear friends.

After putting on her veil, Priscilla met her father in front of the resort for a father-daugther first look. Be still my heart- what a precious moment that was to see! The Father of the Bride getting to see his little girl, all grown up and ready to marry her husband.

Aren't the Pinckney women (now one Gharai!) just stunning? Truly a picture of grace, beauty and elegance.

Wedding guests trickled into Middleburg United Methodist Church, filling the traditional wooden pews while reuniting with loved ones and meeting new friends.

At 2:10 pm the processional began. After the adorable ring bearers and flower girls, all part of a family that both Priscilla and her sister/Maid of Honor Amanda babysat over the years, made their way down the aisle, the heavy church doors were closed. They reopened as the bride and her father began making their way down the aisle. All guests rose to their feet and Hooman caught his first look over his bride as she made her way toward him.

Pastor Nate led the couple through their vows and shared a few of the reasons Hooman and Priscilla said they loved each other. What a beautiful moment for both the bride and the groom to hear what they most appreciated, adored most about the other. Cue the waterworks and grab the tissues.

This has to be the most adorable bridal party ever! Thompsons, y'all are looking good!

Hooman and Priscilla's love for each other just oozes out in the way their eyes meet, they touch and speak to each other.

With the Virginia countryside behind them, the Salamander Resort was a perfect green and yellow backdrop for fall wedding photos.

Guests enjoyed a beautiful cocktail hour inside the resort, clinking wine glasses and tasting passed delicacies, as well as mingling out on the patio as the night progressed.

Both the bride and the groom's have such a joyful, spirited demeanor - the cocktail hour was like a happy family reunion, full of laughter, sharing old stories and catching up.

The couple made special attention to highlight both the Pinckneys, with their Italian heritage, and the Gharais, with their Persian heritage. The beautiful, ornately beaded cloth gracing the sweetheart table above was a gift from Hooman's mother and is a nod to traditional Persian wedding decor.

Hooman twirled his bride around the dance floor to Louis Armstrong's rendition of "La Vie en Rose" for their first dance.

After the formal dances, the reception quickly became an open dance party. Everyone was celebrating with the newlyweds!

I spot a past LMP bride! Sabrina, who had a gorgeous vintage DC wedding, is also in Small Group with Priscilla. SO great to see her and hubby David!

Another past LMP couple, Charlie and Laura, were not only guests but Laura was a fantastic wedding planner and coordinator for the day's events!

And with two rows of sparklers overhead, the happy couple exited their wedding just as they entered it - with warmth, graciousness and love.

Vendors:

Venue: Salamander Resort and Spa
Wedding dress: Demetrios
Florist: Ultimate Floral Designs
Wedding planner: Laura Thomas
Hair & Makeup: Visage Salon
DJ: DJ Tamer Yehia
Cake: Salamander Resort and Spa
Catering: Salamander Resort and Spa
Invitations: Kimberly’s

Dave + Leanne | Cloverdale Barn Wedding | Rustic Virginia Wedding Photographer

With the risk of sounding like Chandler of FRIENDS, could there be a more joyful couple?

Even the torrential downpour on the morning of their wedding couldn't stop Dave and Leanne from smiling as wide as the Shenandoah Valley is long. The exchanged vows at Winchester's Cloverdale Barn, tucked away in the under part of the barn, dry and cozy from any stray rain drops.

Sophisticated tones of blush and grey were sprinkled throughout their day - from Leanne's pale pink ballet slippers and the soft floral arrangements (that she made herself!) to her charcoal invitation suite and the groom and groomsmen's suits.

Leanne wore a stunning white gown with a flowing pink bow that cinched around her waist and tied in the back. The butt bow, as she affectionately referred to it, just made the dress even more elegant and stunning on the bride as it swished back and forth like a chapel bell. Ding, ding, ding.

With a promise not to lose them, Leanne borrowed her mother's gorgeous pearl and diamond earrings. Reminders of the lost earrings of fourth grade filled the air, followed by smiles and another promise to hold on tight to these borrowed jewels. Her mother's intricate lace veil complimented her bridal details just exquisitely, later on becoming a delicate backdrop for beautiful pink iced wedding cake.

After her mother and sisters helped Leanne slip into her white dress, the bride walked along the windy gravel path from the barn down to her waiting groom. They exchanged a First Look, taking in each other and holding on to the last fleeting moments of engagement that were making room for their nuptials.

Underneath the barn was transformed into a twinkly lit refuge from the somewhat still dreary afternoon. Friends from childhood, college buddies, family members and guests from across the states gathered into the secluded barn alcove.

The bride and groom asked twelve of their very best friends to stand beside them on their wedding day. So much love and support from these dozen was given throughout the day, just completely wonderful friends and siblings who truly were for the couple and wanted to celebrate their first steps of marriage with them.

Such a chic and stylish group! I love how the mismatched bridesmaid dresses come together so well in the photos. The groomsmen's ties are just the right amount of pink to really add a warmth to the overall look.

Here's to lifelong friendship and new beginnings!

To love, laughter and happily ever after.

The wedding celebrating continued on in the main level of the barn, where dozens of twinkly lights hung in the warm air and wrapped around beams as guests drank, ate and danced the night away.

Vendors:

Venue: Cloverdale Barn
Wedding dress: David's Bridal
Bridesmaid dresses: Varied
Groomsmen suits: Varied
Florist: DIY
Hair and Makeup: Cindy of SAS Studio
Cake: Agape Cake
DJ: Danny's DJ Service
Catering: Top Flight BBQ
Favors: Handmade BBQ sauce

Jonathan + Crissy | Folly Beach Wedding | Folly Beach Wedding Photographer

If there was one wedding I would have liked to have been both the photographer AND a guest, it would definitely be Jonathan & Crissy's! They intricately planned a gorgeous, intimate wedding ceremony with their families on the sandy shores of Folly Beach, followed by an elegant, laughter-filled reception on a beach house balcony overlooking the setting sun.

And honestly, the Etters are SUCH a divinely sweet couple, I practically did feel like a guest :) Who could have guessed that an introduction through an old coworker almost 3 years ago would lead to them meeting for the first time in a WalMart parking lot, & then into love -> engagement -> marriage?! God has such a way of bringing people together in His timing & His way.

She loves Jonathan's big heart, who so sweetly (literally!) proposed to Crissy via ring pop, which is evidence of how big Crissy's heart is. (Ring pops, of course, then made their guest appearance at the couple's glitzy reception table. Which Crissy either made/created/put together almost all you see herself! SO creative & talented! I could have photographed them & that table all night.)

Throughout their whole wedding day, she was constantly considered with her guests' needs - did they have everything they needed, how could she help them. Jonathan was right by her side - holding her dress, giving her his hand, guiding her in the small of her back. A true servant-hearted husband right from the I Do's, which were officiated by Jonathan's dad as their family gathered in a small circle around them on the beachfront.

Truly a Happy Ever Etter indeed!
 

Vendors:

Wedding dress : Mori Lee
Wedding shoes: Vince Camuto
Groom’s suit: Jos. A Banks
Florist: Whole Foods
Cake: Publix
Catering: Sticky Fingers
Favors: Ring pops

Jonathan + Crissy | Sneak peek | Folly Beach Wedding Photographer

So much joy & laughter filled the day as Jonathan & Crissy became Mr. & Mrs. Etter!

This down-to-earth, sweet as iced tea couple exchanged vows & joined their hands in marriage on the warm sand of Folly Beach on - wait for it - 5/15/15. What a great wedding date for an incredibly great couple! And an incredibly great wedding date that's also conveniently easy remember :)

Charlie + Laura | Bull Run Golf Club Wedding | Haymarket Wedding Photographer

"I'm excited to marry you!" Laura said, playfully grabbing Charlie's arm. "I'm most excited about getting to start & end the day with Charlie there."

Cue the awwwwws :) These two are one of the sweetest couples! Dean & I have had the privilege of knowing Charlie & Laura for several years through MBC Arlington & we could not be more thrilled to see them navigate from friends to dating to now married yay!

Charlie said this about his beautiful bride-to-be, several weeks before their wedding: "Laura is so graceful, not in the secular sense of the way, but when don't go right or something else happens," he said. "The things I'm worst at, she is so amazing. When I get to see that, it's a spiritual punch. Laura loves the Lord & obedient in the call to serve."

That is Mr. & Mrs Thomas for you! They were wed at Bull Run Golf Club with a gorgeous mountain backdrop behind them as they exchanged vows & rings. After the ceremony, guests were escorted to the most gorgeous cocktail hour up by the clubhouse, complete with chic cafe lights strung overhead, followed by a wonderful reception full of heartfelt toasts, dancing, dinner & more dancing.

Charlie & Laura, we are so blessed to call y'all friends! Thank you for letting us capture these special moments from your wedding day :)

Vendors:

Wedding dress: Alfred Angelo
Wedding shoes: Nine West
Wedding earrings: Ralph Lauren
Groom's suit: Men’s Warehouse
Groom’s tie: Calvin Klein
Florist: Love Is Floral
Ceremony venue: Bull Run Golf Club
Reception venue: Bull Run Golf Club
Hair: Tranquility Day Spa
Makeup: Cassie Williams
DJ: DJ Lauren Bobby
Bridesmaid dresses: Target
Groomsmen attire: Men’s Warehouse
Wedding day-of coordinator: Ana Varela
Cake: Holley Slabaugh
Catering: R & R Catering
Invitations: Vistaprint
Honeymoon: Excellence Resorts