I wasn’t sure how to start this blog post because I cannot come with the perfect verbiage to describe how much I adore Javi and Sarah. <3 These two … Goodness … will just pull on your heart strings EVERY. TIME. I remember the first time “meeting” Sarah and Javi and couldn’t help but laugh about their enthusiasm! I say “meeting” because it was initially over the phone, and yet, they still were able to convey how excited they were about tying the knot! What I didn’t know was how fast I would fall in love with these two together. Seriously, they are two peas in a pod! I connected with their love for life and their joyous attitudes and I could hardly wait to photograph them!! 🙂
We finally met in person for the first time at their engagement session and they did not disappoint! Gosh, I could have easily photographed them for hoursssss!!! After their session, I walked away feeling energized and SO pumped to photograph them again on their wedding day! I remember Sarah saying about their session, “I knew you were going to SLAY it!” HAHA! And I easily walked away with many favorites. <3
The Wedding Day
The day started on the first day of sunshine in over a week in Virginia. We couldn’t believe our luck! 🙂 Speaking of luck, it was also my first time photographing at Stone Tower Winery with the sun shining!!! FINALLY! The venue was packed with people enjoying the pretty weather, views, and delicious wine.
Sarah and the girls were hiding out at the cottage away from the possibility of any unexpected guest seeing the beautiful bride. The cottage was tucked away from the vineyard where Sarah was found in the bedroom writing to her dear Javi. They had planned to exchange letters while they got ready for the ceremony, so she wanted to make sure she professed her heart on paper to him before they tied the knot. <3 Goodness, just wait until you see what happens later!
The girls took a moment with each other to celebrate the special occasion. They were so cute together and totally ready for their close up!!! It was funny because Sarah’s sister-in-law mentioned at this time how funny it was a simple champagne pour quickly turned into a photo op. Always. 😉
SO CUTE!!!!!!!
I absolutely love this mother-daughter moment!!!! <3 <3 <3
While the girls were celebrating with champagne, Javi was with his guys less than a mile down the dirt road getting ready. He was SO pumped to see his beautiful bride!!!!
In the meantime, it was FINALLY time for Sarah to get into her incredible dress! Gosh, she was a stunner in the dress!!!
Then … The moment her dad and brothers came in to see her all dolled up. Not a dry eye in the room!!! Family means everything to her, so this was special to take a moment with them and celebrate together!
When I was chatting with Sarah during our final meeting together, she asked if we could make a “first touch” happen. HAHA! I love it!!! I’m totally going to use that from now on when I have a couple who wants to not do a first look but want to hold hands or pray together without seeing each other! 😉
After Sarah and Javi were dressed and ready for the ceremony, the time was ticking and so I threw out an idea to exchange letters behind the door to make the time together even more personal. And goodness, it was the SWEETEST and even got me teary eyed!!!!
It was officially time to tie the knot!!!!!
This part of the ceremony was a special tradition. Since Sarah’s grandparents’ wedding day, a prayer has been read for generations at many weddings, including Javi and Sarah’s wedding. Sarah’s dad stood in front of their closest family and friends to pray for their marriage.
More water works came during the ceremony when Sarah and Javi pronounced their love in front of everyone during their vows. Sarah spoke from the heart using emotions ranging from sweet and genuine vows to cute humor. When Javi started, he mentioned that he didn’t write anything down because it was going to come straight from the heart. HOLY MOLY. Cue the tears again… Gosh, again, I love these two together!!!
HUSBAND AND WIFE!!!!
I couldn’t help but obsess over these dresses!!! From the color to the fit, it was so flattering!!!
Nothing better than a good sibling bond. <3
Sarah, you’re a beauty!!!!
Some of my MANY favorites!!!
The back of her dress… !!!!!!!
Can you feel their joyous personalities in these photos? I know I do!!
Whoa. It’s like you guys belong on a cover of a magazine!!!
HAHA! I loved this moment because I caught both of them doing a happy dance. 😉 The cutest!
They had a quick moment to say hello to their friends as they made their way to the reception. Friends immediately flocked to them, excited this time has come! Everyone was ready to get the party started and I was even more excited to document it!!!
I loved their classy setup with the garden themed signage. Beautiful!! Stone Tower doesn’t even need much to make the room look elegant. The statement chandeliers, wooden furniture, and stone walls made the reception room cozy, even with a 200+ person occupancy space!
Then, it was party time! I loved this entrance. 😉 HAHA!
I loved seeing Sarah and Javi goofing off and having fun while dancing their first dance to Sarah Bareilles’ “I Choose You!”
The parent dances were sweet, sentimental and fun!!! Sarah and her pops chose a sentimental song as their dance together that created many tears around the room. <3
When Javi and his mom got on the dance floor, though, they chose Peruvian dance! You could see the joy in his mom as she danced with him around the room!!!
Javi and Sarah entertained their guests during dinner by sharing a little bit of the Peruvian culture by sharing a few traditional dances!!
Then, they brought Sarah and Javi to the dance floor to shake what they got! HAHA!
We found a second to run outside to catch the end of the glowy light. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Oh, the toasts declared to Javi and Sarah were SO good!!!! Sweet, sentimental, from the heart, and HILARIOUS!!! <3 I loved hearing all of the positive things everyone had to say about them. Including the fact that Sarah’s Godfather even mentioned, “you thought you knew love until you met these two together!” So true.
Now on to one of my favorite moments of the evening!!! The traditional Polish Bridal Dance! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Everyone had the opportunity to dance with Sarah, and then ultimately formed a circle around her and her dad dancing the final number together. Javi stood on the outside of the circle and had to break through to get to his bride! As you can see, he made it!!!! I love the joy in these photos below!!!
Yay! I love these two!!!
Thank you, Javi and Sarah, for giving me the GREATEST honor of photographing your wedding day! Gosh, I cannot get over the time I’ve had with you two. <3 From day one, I have enjoyed your enthusiasm!!! I adore your passion to love one another as well as family/friends. I could not be more happy for you and I wish you the absolute BEST for your future!!! We have to hang out again soon! <3 <3 <3
Congratulations!!!!
Thanks to the vendors who made this day possible!!!
Venue: Stone Tower Winery
Wedding Planner: Plan to be Tied, LLC.
Caterer: Main Event Caterers
Guitarist: Tito Aguilar
Dancers: Victor Ruiz
DJ: JeyOne (Jonnie)
Florist: Galleria Florist
Hair: Heather Rae Style Studio
Makeup: Kellie Hartl
Officiant: Nick Mullins
Transportation: Metropolitan Shuttle
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