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

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

On a rainy Saturday morning, Hooman & Priscilla arrived at Middleburg's well-known Salamander Resort & Spa, looking at chic as ever. Don't get stuck only looking only on the outside though. These two are among the kindest, most gentle-hearted & thoughtful people I've ever met. I have the privilege to not only be photographing their wedding but to call them dear, dear friends!

When they started dating last year, we were THRILLED!!! Having two of your sweet friends fall in love & get engaged is such a beautiful journey to watch unfold. I could go on & ON about them!

Dean & I have been blessed to the max by having Hooman & Priscilla in each of our Small Groups & as constant encouragement to us, always spurring us on to walk closer with the Lord & seek Him first in all things.

They are so hospitable, caring, stylish, good-natured & like two peas in a pod - meant to be together. We are PUMPED for their wedding this fall, & more importantly, for their marriage!

Hooman, you knocked it out of the park by asking Priscilla to be your wife :) Priscilla, YAY for finding "the one whom your soul loves." We love y'all!

The Gay Family | Falls Church Portrait Photographer

Evan, Anne & sweet little Grace. It was such a wonderful afternoon capturing moments between this family! We met over by the winding path that leads around the lake near New Providence Drive in Falls Church. The golden leaves of fall hung brightly from the trees & piles of foliage, just as vibrant, crunched under our feet as we made our way around the lake.

Grace's sweet giggles & excitement upon discovering how to throw fistfuls of leaves was so fun to watch! It was wiiiiiindy on that afternoon but Evan & Anne rallied their little girl's spirits up with tickles, a stuffed bunny & lots of snuggling to stay warm. Thank y'all for letting me photograph your wonderful family!

Chelsea Drinkard of The Closet Stylist | Lynchburg Portrait Session

I was blessed to have not 1 but 3 closets to shop in while growing up - mine, my sister's & my mom's. Chelsea has always had such a phenomenal sense of style & to this day, I ask to borrow belts, jewelry & shoes whenever we're in the same town! Until we started growing like weeds in our teen years, we browsed Mom's closet for wardrobe updates. It only makes sense that Chelsea, a woman with such fantastic style, would then use her incredible taste to help others!

Enter The Closet Stylist! For my Tampa Baby-area friends who are wanting some closet tweaking, new everyday staples or help reselling items you've cleaned out of your closet, Chelsea Drinkard is the woman to get it done. I cannot tell you how many times I've called, texted or yelled into the other room (when we were living together, or when we're in town visiting) to ask Chels for her advice on what to wear with a new skirt, which earrings look best or how to add accessories to jazz up a plain outfit. She always has great suggestions on what looks best & how to put color combos/patterns together.

"Whether you think you can or can't pull off an outfit, you're right."

Can I get an amen on that? If you don't know where to start when putting together outfits from clothes you already own or how to incorporate colors that are best for your skin tone or are afraid to try new styles/trends, you're not alone! With kind encouragement & expertise from The Closet Stylist, you can choose from 3 packages to fit your styling needs:

1. Out with the Old
2. I Have Nothing to Wear
3. Fresh Start
 

The necklace above = amazing colors! Fantastic design! (P.S. Sis, maybe you can send one my way??)

With kind encouragement & expertise from The Closet Stylist, you can choose from 3 packages to fit your styling needs:

1. Out with the Old
2. I Have Nothing to Wear
3. Fresh Start

Check out Chelsea's packages here & learn more about how you can continue through 2015 with confidence & style.

Check out Chelsea's packages here & learn more about how you can continue through 2015 with confidence & style!