I’m Stephanie, a wedding + lifestyle photographer based in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Warrenton, Virginia. Whether I’m by the mountains of Colorado or Virginia, my soul feels at home, surrounded by rural living and the raw beauty of nature. I genuinely love what I do, and feel so passionate to share the enthusiasm and joy of these celebrations with you!

DOCUMENTING LOVE'S UNSCRIPTED CHAPTERS FROM COUPLES & FAMILIES IN COLORADO + VIRGINIA

@stephaniemessickphoto

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December 17, 2014

Nate & Theresa | Twin Lakes Golf Course, Virginia Wedding

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As my couples and I go on our journey together, I have the privilege of getting to know them. When they build excitement, I’m right there excited with them … when they are crying, I’m right there shedding tears as well. It’s funny because I NEVER considered myself a sappy person, but this year I have teared up numerous times at weddings! Well, that happened again the moment Theresa put on her dress. I was in COMPLETE shock! She looked absolutely amazing and I knew that Nate would think the same as well. 🙂 Theresa is bubbly, sweet, genuine and gorgeous! Nate is a natural protector as he is a firefighter, but also loves to make Theresa laugh and smile. 🙂 Together, they make one adorable couple.

Getting to know Nate and Theresa through this year has been a blast! From Virginia Beach to their apple orchard engagement session, their love is undeniable! Not to mention, super photogenic! Not only through photos, but through the amazing video Ryan put together! Be sure to check out their wedding highlight video at the end of this blog post!!! SO GOOD! I’m excited to see where the future takes these two!

Thank you Nate and Theresa for honoring me with documenting this special day for you and your family! CONGRATS!!! xoxo

1-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-6_web1-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-1_web1-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-2_web1-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-4_web1-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-5_webLook how happy she is! 🙂 I love it!
2-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-1_webAnd the tears started alllllll around the room! So sweet!
2-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-3_web🙂 So sweet!
2-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-4_webThen her dad came in to see her all dressed up … oh my gosh, what a reaction!
2-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-6_webHolyyyyyy cow Theresa, you’re gorgeous!
2-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-12_web🙂 !!!
2-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-10_web2-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-8_web
2-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-13_web3-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-1_webThe ring bearer surprised Nate with a little note from Theresa saying, “I cannot wait to see you”. 🙂
I absolutely adore this photo of Theresa’s mom!
3-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-3_web3-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-4_web3-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-6_web3-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-8_web3-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-10_webYAY!!!!!
3-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-11_web3-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-12_web5-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-2_webLove! 🙂
5-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-3_web5-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-4_web5-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-5_web5-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-7_webLove this shot!
5-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-8_web5-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-9_web5-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-10_web5-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-11_webOne of my favorites!!!
5-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-12_web6-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-1_webGlad we caught this little bit of light! I was MOVIN!
6-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-2_web6-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-4_webStunning!
6-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-5_web6-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-6_web6-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-8_webGorgeous Theresa!!
6-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-10_webI loveeee this photo on the right of Theresa in the sunset!
6-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-12_web6-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-14_webSO cute!
6-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-15_web7-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-2_webThe theme to their wedding … “Love you more”! Soooo precious!
7-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-10_web
7-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-6_web7-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-8_web7-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-12_web8-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-1_webMy heart just melted!
8-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-3_web8-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-5_webTime for embarrassing stories! 🙂 Haha!
8-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-6_webTheresa and all of her siblings did a surprise dance for everyone! It was pretty epic! 🙂
8-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-9_web8-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-10_web8-nate_theresa_clifton_virginia_wedding_photographer-14_web

Thank you to all of the vendors involved making Nate and Theresa’s day so special! 🙂
Ceremony: St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Leesburg, VA
Reception: Twin Lakes Golf Course, Clifton, VA
Photographer: Stephanie Messick Photography
Hair: Katie Kalbach
Makeup: Bethany Swenson
Caterer: Bad to the Bone
Florist: The Flower Gallery
Baker: Moms Apple Pie
DJ: Grenier & Sons DJ
Videographer: Ryan Geldermann

On a side note, I realized the night before their wedding that this was my 70th wedding since starting my business in June 2012! Wohoo! What a way to end the wedding season and the 2014 year! 🙂

Or watch their wedding video on Vimeo. 🙂

  1. Jami Gonzalez McCormick says:

    Absolutely beautiful!

  2. Definitely one of our favorite couples and one of our most fun receptions. Larry Grenier (Grenier & Sons DJs)

  3. Chris Harrill says:

    Wow what a beautiful video and the pictures. I am going to send this to Alex and Kristina!