The weddings I’ve had the privilege of photographing have been a huge pleasure to not only step back and document the moments occurring around me but also admire/witness the beauty of true love through my couple as well as their families/friends! You see on my new website that I talk about how one single photograph can inspire. Well, my couples without a doubt inspire me as well as my work, especially David and Lauren. <3 It didn’t feel like that long ago when I met with them at Salamander Resort for a mimosa … or two. 😉 We talked about travels (especially favorite places in San Francisco), a wedding I photographed there at their venue, and got to know each other on a personal level. I knew these two were special from the first day I met them! After we decided that we were a great fit for each other, we did a little happy dance (or maybe that was just me 😉 HA!), and we made their engagement session happen in downtown Middleburg earlier this year. If you didn’t catch their love story or their photos, check them out HERE! 🙂 I’m glad I had the opportunity to meet their fur baby, Doback, before his big day this past Saturday! Haha!
After months FLEW by, before we knew it, we were planning a photo timeline for their big day! It’s funny thinking back to our conversation a month ago. Lauren talked about details for her wedding, but I had NO idea it was going to look like what you’ll see below. Holy cow.Grit & Grace and the vendor team did an incredible job putting together this event together!!! I won’t spoil the details before the photos, but David and Lauren put on quite the celebration! And for good reasons too because they have only waited half of their life for this day. No exaggeration at all! Their love story started back in high school’s driver’s education class. Although David didn’t know it yet at the time, it soon escalated from a friendship to a beautiful relationship. If you were to witness these two in person, you would know that they were meant to be together forever. <3 They have embarked many travels and moves over the past 15 years, and this is just the beginning!
This past Saturday, they threw a party no one will ever forget, including myself. 🙂 They gathered their closest family and friends at the beautiful Salamander Resort in Middleburg to say ‘YES!’ to forever! Of course, though, they couldn’t celebrate without the help of their ADORABLE pup, Doback!! He played a key role in their ceremony, although it was a bit overwhelming for him, I’m glad we were able to snag a couple of quick portraits!! Besides including their fur baby, I really loved the contemporary theme David and Lauren put together!! You’ll see illustrations of what it looked like below, but their stormy blue, gray, green color scheme tied so well with the Salamander Resort atmosphere. I was also VERY impressed with Lauren’s calligraphy skills on the menu cards … You go, girl!! So many personal touches sprinkled throughout the wedding, but I couldn’t help admire the love and bond David and Lauren share. They are radiant inside and out, and it is very obvious in these photos below!! Lauren’s smile is so contagious and the way that David looks at her melts me to pieces. <3 I am so glad we connected and look forward to seeing where the future takes their marriage!
DAVID & LAUREN’S WEDDING DAY
The day started with the guys and the girls hidden away on different floors of the Salamander Resort. Despite the fact it was an overcast day, it was beautiful! And, I’m a fan of overcast for even lighting! 🙂
David and Lauren are so creative!!! I love these custom Save the Dates they sent their guests!!! The personalized illustrations of their relationship is adorable!
David and Lauren had BEAUTIFUL custom cookies they included in their guest’s welcome bags! Lauren was all smiles when I saw her getting hair and makeup done. 🙂
Actually, everyone had a smile on their face because this day was an anticipated one!!! 🙂
One thing I love about this wedding are their classic, timeless details!!
Lauren’s dress had buttons from the top to the bottom which was a cute detail for this dress!! Also, remember her wedding band design below because the same design is mimicked in her bracelet!
Sweet Root Village did an incredible job with her bouquet!!!
I love that she wanted to stay comfy. 🙂 Kate Spade all the way!
I love a sweet mother/daughter moment!!! <3
It was finally time for them to see each other!! They were all smiles/laughs! 🙂
I LOVE THIS. During their first look, they exchanged personal vows to one another. What a beautiful, intimate thing to share together! They are soooo stinkin’ CUTE.
GOODNESS, LAUREN. You’re stunning!
Gosh, I have SO many favorites!!!!!
Doback!!!!
Pretty, girls!!!
And guys … Well. It’s not a photo without the Makers Mark! 😉 HAHAHA!
Oh my gosh, this little ring bearer was hilarious! We asked him to smile and say “Cheese!” for the camera. Well, he took his job seriously because he enthusiastically YELLED at the top of his lungs! It made all of us crack up!! What a little ham! 🙂
I’m partially convinced Lauren and David based their color blue from the resort shutters in the backdrop to the left photo. 😉 Don’t you agree?!
I love this group! HA!
Chris, Lauren’s brother and bridesman, had an important role to take Doback down the aisle. 🙂 But I also love that he built this box for David and Lauren!! So special!
During the ceremony, Bill from Say I Do Your Way, talked about how their love story began. I love a personal ceremony reminding the couple how they got to where they are today. <3 I also love the fact that Bill mentioned that over the course of 15 years, these two have barely been in fights together. He said you can count on one hand! That’s pretty impressive and a standard to look up to. 🙂
This wine box Chris made for David and Lauren contained a bottle of wine and love letters to each other. On every anniversary, they plan to open/read their letters, drink the bottle of wine, and replace it with new letters and another bottle of wine for the following year!
HUSBAND AND WIFE!!!!! YAYYYY!!!
Sweet Doback. <3
Hahaha! I told Liz that she needed to be a part of this photo because she was so helpful!!!
Doback, the pointer pup, in escort card form!!!
“Let me point you to your seat” <= CUTEST ESCORT CARD EVER.
I’m obsessed with their reception space and those blue velvet table cloths!!!
Who knew blue would look so good on a cake?! I also love these blue tinted candle sticks!
Again, the vendor team did an incredible job putting together this event!!! I was in AWE when I walked into the ballroom!
Lauren did a beautiful job with the calligraphy!!! Beautiful idea!!!
Liz’s speech was by far one of the BEST and most hilarious MOH speeches I’ve heard!! Knowing that David and Lauren LOVES our country, Liz did some Google research and found a model how to give a Presidential speech!
“My fellow Americans…”
HAHAHA! I really hope someone recorded it!!!
This. is. so. adorable.
The Bachelor Boys Band put on a PARTY!!!!
Lauren’s family even pulled out Lauren’s grandmother to the dance floor to boogie down. Haha!
They had Pumpkin Chip, Mimosa, and Reaves Nutella Cup cake flavors … YUMMM!!!! And as a late night snack, they had cookies with milk, french fries, and burgers served to their guests!
The day FLEW by so fast but it ended on a great note! <3
Thank you, David and Lauren, for giving me the GREATEST honor of documenting and celebrating with you all on Saturday!!! Gosh, it was truly a fairytale! <3 I loved reliving your beautiful celebration while editing your photos. I hope you enjoyed seeing your day through my lens!! Have the BEST time in Japan! XOXO!!!! SO happy for you both!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Thanks to the vendors who made this day so special!!!
Venue: Salamander Resort
Wedding Planning and Design: Grit & Grace
Caterer: Salamander Resort
Florist: Sweet Root Village
Baker: Jason Reaves
Band: Bachelor Boys Band
Ceremony: Atoka String Quartet
Officiant: Say I Do Your Way, Bill Cochran
Rentals: White Glove and DC Rental
Hair and Makeup: Bridal Artistry
Dress: Love Couture Bridal
Photo Booth: Bash Booths
Lighting: Atmosphere
Transportation: Limo’s Inc
Ceremony Wine Box: Taylored Craft
Cocktail Hour Calligraphy: Laura Hooper Calligraphy
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