Chris and Steph sure know how to leave an impression. Or maybe I should say they have some sort of crazy luck! If you don’t remember these two or you didn’t have the opportunity to meet them on the blog earlier this spring, it’s an engagement session I’ll NEVER forget. DC and their pups were essential to include in their portraits, so we made it happen at sunrise one early spring morning. But what we didn’t foresee was the unpredictable and quite unbelievable forecast we were going to experience! When it was the halfway point and time to switch outfits/location, a freak snowstorm blasted through DC for a short amount of time, but enough time for us to photograph the last half of the shoot in the snow! CRAZY?! I KNOW. If you didn’t see it, check out their photos and their love story HERE!!! 🙂

Months flew by, and it was finally THE Chris and Steph’s wedding day!!! After EIGHT years of being together, it was a much-anticipated celebration. 🙂 It was pretty chilly Saturday, so we naturally joked a snowstorm was going to casually blast through at some point. Earlier that week, though, forecasters predicted rain so snow could’ve happened!!! 😉 But I’m soooo glad that we didn’t have to worry about rain after all. We were all prepared for it, but the sun magically came out during Chris and Steph’s first look!!! See! I told you they have the craziest luck with the weather, and I’ll take it. 😉

Saturday was a super fun day!!! Chris and Steph know how to have fun, and I’m so glad I was connected with these two through my sweet JMU friends/former 2016 clients, Rob and Kim! <3 Knowing that Steph was a former Dukette, you better believe there was a lot of twirling action… I mean, look at her Watters dress! It was meant to be worn by Steph!!! And it fits so well with the romantic, rustic vibe of their wedding day. 🙂 Before I rave too much about their wedding day, why don’t you check out the day from my lens!! Another favorite wedding to add to my portfolio! Gosh, this year is surpassing my expectations with the loveliest of couples. 🙂

Chris and Stephanie’s Wedding Day

Chris and Steph’s details were elegant and so much fun to photograph!!!

THAT WATTERS DRESS. Could not be more dreamy!!! 

These ladies are so much fun!!! I had a really great time getting to know them, but also love how entertaining they were. As I was upstairs working on detail shots with the casual check in and document candids of the girls hanging out, I overheard them practicing their “MEEEEEOOOOOOOWWWWWWW!” Cardi B impression! HAHA! And, of course, the “okuuuuuuurt!” Soooo funny!

This is the funniest thing I stumbled across … LADIES, you’ll love this too!!! I found a soundboard of her lingo HERE!!! Oh my gosh… It’s hilarious!!

It was time for Steph to get dressed!!!! She is so classy and elegant. <3

I love how the girls made her laugh all day long!!! Fun bunch!! <3

MY GOODNESS, STEPH!!!!!!!!! You are stunnnnnnning!!!!

J Morris Flowers always does a fabulous job!!! I love the balance of the blush, champagne, sage, mauves color theme and the textures of the greens!

While the women were practicing Cardi B noises, the men were a half mile down the road enjoying their bro time together! This group of men have personalities!!! Hahahah!

Love this!!! It was time for the first look, and we had some admirers. 😉

I found a tree that was starting to turn, so obviously we needed to take advantage of it for their portraits. 🙂 SO pretty!!!!

Love the details they both carefully chose for their special day. The hair piece, jewelry, the blue suit paired with the brown leather… I appreciated their attention to detail!

Chris, the bouquet looks good on you!!! HA!

One of my favorite views on the property!

Awe, I love the way she looks at him!!!

The ground was pretty soggy, so I appreciated them being so willing to walk through the almost muddy ground for these portraits!! #worthit

When you are just an hour away from marrying a dancer with a dress that was meant for twirling, you have to celebrate!! Love this twirling shot so much!!!

Again, J Morris Flowers nailed it!

Love these wedding party portraits!!

Guess who are big 76er fans?! The 76ers were apparently planning Saturday evening during the wedding, and one of Chris’ brothers mentioned in his reception toast that he asked the team to make the game happen earlier in the day because his bro was getting married. They declined. Then he went on to say, “Do you know who Chris is?!” HAHA!

Beautiful, ladies!!!

Here comes the bride! <3 SOOOOO cute!!! I love the processional music was a classy version of the Florence + The Machine’s “Dog Days are Over.” Very appropriate for these dog lovers!!!

One of their dear friends read “How Falling in Love is like Owning a Dog.” Haha! One of my favorites! If you’re not familiar with the fun reading, check it out HERE!

I love this!!! The adorable ring bearer was misbehaving a little bit during the ceremony! HAHAH!

I love that Chris and Steph decided to write personal vows to each other. Steph was chosen to speak first and when it was time for Chris to speak his vows, he started off by saying he should have gone first. 😉 Haha! But really, both of their vows were so sweet and sincere!!! And I love how they tied in how they initially met making it that much more personable.

YAYYAYAYYAYAYAY!!!!! Eight years and they did it!!!!

Gosh, I could have photographed these two all day!!!!

But we needed to attend a little party that was happening inside. 😉 I always enjoy photographing weddings at the beautiful and rustic Stone Tower Winery!

Chris and Steph kept their details simple and classy. So timeless!

You know these two were ready to party!!!

I love how Chris and Steph interact with each other as well as their family/friends. One person mentioned when Chris first met Steph, he realized she went to JMU. Naturally, one of the first questions to her was … “Soooo, you like to party?” HA! He made sure to mention during their welcome speech that they want to make sure everyone was there for a good time Saturday night!

When Chris took his mom’s hand for a dance, and when Rent’s “Seasons of Love” came on, I overheard his brothers say, “this is perfect!!!” Then I look around the room and saw people clapping to the beat and singing the lyrics. So upbeat and fun!!!

Dukette tradition. <3 So fun!!! GOOOO DUKES!!!!

  

Then, it was party time!!!! The dance floor was never silent. 🙂 I wanted to join them!!!

Chris and his restaurant buddies/crew! They were a fun bunch!!

I looked across the room and spotted some of the Dukettes doing a dance routine from back in the day! Haha!

Love these two!!!! What a fun and beautiful day!!!

THANK YOU, Chris and Steph, for giving me the GREATEST honor to not only document your once in a lifetime moments, but celebrate and create memories with you!!! I hope you two have the BEST time in Maui!!!! You deserve some rest and relaxation after one heck of a party! 🙂

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Thanks to the vendors who made this day so special!!!

Venue: Stone Tower Winery 

Planner: JEM Events 

Hair + Makeup: Makeup by Ana 

Caterer: Old Blue BBQ  

Florist: J Morris Flowers 

Baker: Sweets by E 

DJ: DJ Maskell 

Videographer: Bella Vista Wedding 

Dress Designer: Watters

Officiant: Amanda Fludd

Photo Booth: Mr. Shuttersworth 

Transportation: Chariots for Hire