Est. 2012 | Colorado Springs, Colorado and Charlottesville, Virginia wedding & family photographer

Just when Matt and Christina didn’t think online dating was for them, that’s when everything “clicked.” Back in 2013, their love story began, and they fell for each other fast because they simply knew that this was it! Fast forward four years later, Matt (finally) popped the question in OBX on a chilly day surrounded by loved ones. Both come from a similar and important background of loving their families, and it was very important to Christina when finding the “perfect man for her.” So it was sweet of Matt to incorporate her family a part of the proposal celebration. <3

When we were brainstorming ideas for Matt and Christina’s engagement session location, it was appropriate we went to Christina’s parent’s house! Not only was it a meaningful location, but they had beautiful views which you know gets my heart going!!! 🙂 However, the day of their engagement session, the weather forecast didn’t look so ideal. Because of Christina’s limited availability, we decided to make it work regardless! As soon as we got in the middle of the field, we saw lightning in the distance … We thought that we could squeeze in as much portrait time as possible before it rained on our parade. Fortunately for us, though, the storm bypassed us and the sun came out!!! Do you see where I’m going with this post?? Let’s just say that Matt and Christina have some pretty fantastic luck! 🙂 Haha! We ended up having the best time together (check out their photos HERE!)!

Fast forward to this past Friday — The day they tied the knot!! But before we even get into the details of the day, let’s rewind to earlier last week… The day Virginia announced we were under a “State of Emergency” for the weekend. Matt and Christina’s vision for their wedding day was flipped upside down when they heard this. No bride wants to hear that there is potentially a category FOUR hurricane heading in our direction, but I wanted to reassure her that everything would work out great!! I wasn’t too concerned about their wedding just knowing that we were going to be in a building and there were great backup options! Fortunately, they had two buildings to utilize for their ceremony and reception, and we had shelter to do portraits if we needed to avoid running around the wet grounds. I was feeling optimistic about their day and developed a plan of action, so we were prepared. I emailed Christina last week in the hopes of lifting her spirit as the week went on. Well, fortunately for us, I didn’t have to do anymore last minute encouragement because Hurricane Florence decided to steer off the predicted course. And doesn’t this sound oddly familiar with their engagement session? See!! I told you they have crazy luck! Although we didn’t get the hit from the hurricane, we all sent our prayers down south during the reception. They were grateful for those who still came to their wedding who weren’t sure what condition their house was in. I hope everything is okay now that the storm has passed!! Because the rain cleared up the Friday afternoon in Warrenton, Matt thought he would surprise his bride. He somehow managed to move the already planned indoor ceremony to the gardens! Christina cried by his thoughtfulness and determination to make it happen. 🙂 Her fairytale day came together after all!

Their wedding had so many cute DIY details Christina poured herself into throughout the planning process. Seriously, my couples are #legit. I’m always impressed by their creativity!!! When describing her wedding day, she wanted to go with a natural feel with touches of DIY projects that are personal and “so them.”  She definitely accomplished that, as you’ll see below! For their colors, they chose a Bill Levkoff “wisteria” (love that she provided a very specific name for the color! Haha!) as the primary color with accents of grey, white and other pastels. The color scheme worked great for their late summer wedding, and contrasted well with the garden atmosphere, as you’ll see below. <3 I even found a couple of bloomed hydrangeas with their purple color tone!!! It was meant to be. <3

I’m so glad they were able to have their dream wedding outside in ideal weather conditions without any worries of flooding, tornados (PTL), and down trees!!! The day was everything and more of what they dreamt of, and I’m so honored to have been a part of their wedding!! Enjoy looking through their day through my lens!

Matt & Christina’s Wedding Day

I met with the girls at the “post office room” where they were all enjoying the prepping part of the day. Then as soon as the sun began to shine a little bit, our hearts bursted just thinking how this day is SO different from what we envisioned the beginning of the week!!! After we all raved about the details Christina put together, it was just about time for her to get into her dress! 🙂

Christina received a couple of gifts from her love and she laughed when she opened up a pair of Ugg rainboots! The funny part was she had just bought a cute pair of rainboots for her wedding and she wondered why Matt was acting weird when she was deciding which pair to buy. Turned out that he was so on top of things that he had bought her a pair already! He did a great job picking them out!! Krysta and I loved the color! 🙂 Also, being the thoughtful man Matt is, he bought her a pair of earrings their first Christmas together, but she somehow lost them and was soooo devastated. As a wedding gift, he bought her the same pair of earrings to replace those she misplaced. 🙂 So sweet!!!

So much joy!!! Christina didn’t stop smiling all day long. <3

Around the corner, Matt was getting ready to see his bride. Although, despite the nerves leading up to the ceremony, he was calm and collected!! And his darling mother was there to help him get ready. 🙂

Okay … Let’s talk about her shoes! She seriously needs to open an Etsy shop! 😉 When we had our final meeting together about a month ago, she had told me she was going to paint her shoes. I had NO idea what to expect. My jaw dropped when I saw these! Again, my couples are #legit. 😉

I love this!!! Christina gifted Matt a nice watch (always a great, manly gift idea!!), but I love the tag on it — “See you at 5:30!” <3

I love the special photos with parents before the ceremony. <3 Some of my favorite moments of the day!!!

TIME TO HITCH!!!! <3

Oh, Matt. You made every. single. person. cry. Including me! I loved what Christina’s dad said during his speech during the reception — “I knew Matt loved my daughter, but I didn’t realize how much until I walked my daughter down the aisle and saw Matt waiting for her with tears streaming down his face.” Of course, his best man, Drew, then spoke up during his speech and admitted that he had never seen Matt cry before. So this was a particularly special moment. <3 Also, I love this sign Christina made!!

This would have been a different view if the hurricane came through as initially projected!!! We are very grateful!

I love this! Jeff is one of my favorite officiants out there, and I work with him pretty frequently! I think we have worked three weddings in just the past few months? Love it! Anyways, he is very personable and funny, so after he had Christina and Matt turn and face one another, he asked Christina to give Matt a hug. <3 Haha!

Matt and Christina had their guests each pick up an “oathing stone” to hold on to throughout the ceremony and place in a vase on their way out to the cocktail hour. This is an old Scottish tradition so that when Matt and Christina said their vows, each guest rubbed their blessings in the stone. Matt and Christina plan to put the vase of stones on display in their house so that every time they pass it, they will be reminded of the vows made for one another and know they have all of the support from their family and friends. 🙂

“Bad love. Bad!” HAHA! Undoubtedly, Matt and Christina LOVE their fur children and wished they could have been a part of the celebration. But instead, Matt’s sister read “Love is like Owning a Dog.” Take the time to read it HERE because it will surely make you laugh! 🙂

Christina’s reading was one of my favorite stories — The Mayonnaise Jar (read it HERE if you haven’t heard of this story before!)!

MARRIED AND SO HAPPY!!!!!

Sibling love. <3

The greenery in the backdrop contrasts so well with their dresses!!! Love it!

Oh, these two. <3 They are so sweet!!!

Nice, Matt!!!

Christina, your bouquet is stunning!!!

Love!!! <3

Oh, the joy!!! Christina, you looked stunning in your Stella York dress!

Another favorite!

ANOTHER favorite!!! Seriously, so many favorites!! <3

And this is where a lot of Christina’s planning time went. 🙂 So many fun DIY projects!!

Oh, and mini cheesecakes?! YUMMMMM!

The adults had little succulents at each of their plate settings while the kids had a cup of candy. 🙂 I’m sure the kids appreciated that! HAHA!

Matt and Christina had their own personalized raspberry cheesecake to cut later in the evening. 🙂

PARTY TIME!

I love looking back at these first dance photos!!! They had so much fun dancing because they actually took dance lessons before their wedding day. And they looked GOOD out there!!! 🙂

Christina’s work crew were hilarious!

They approved of the cake! Haha!

Before the wedding day, Christina’s grandmother said she wanted to try every flavor of cheesecake … But when Christina’s mother put the entire selection in front of her, I think she was surprised/overwhelmed in a good way. 😉 HAHA!

I approved of Matt and Christina’s choice of music, thanks to Black Tie Entertainment! The 90s sing-along music is my JAM!!!! YES. I wanted to join you all so bad!

Thank you, Matt and Christina, for giving me the greatest honor of being your wedding photographer!! I am not sure how you pulled off the weather … not just once … but TWICE … and I’m so relieved! <3 Thank you for trusting me to capture your moments, and I hope you enjoy reliving your wedding day from these photographs for years to come. I’m so happy for you both!!! XOXO!!!

Congratulations!!!!

Thanks to the vendor team for making their day so special!!!

Venue: Airlie
Hair: Dawn McKee and Wendy Crim
Photographer: Stephanie Messick Photography
Assistant Photographer: Krysta Norman Photography
Makeup: Adrienne Potts
Caterer: Airlie
Florist: Sponseller’s Flower Shop (bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres only)
Baker: Simply Desserts
DJ: Black Tie Entertainment
Dress Designer: Stella York
Officiant: Wedding Ceremonies by Jeff