The fall theme is continuing with today’s wedding with the adorable David and Megan!!! Oh, I guess Savannah (their pup) needs to be a part of that introduction too. 😉 After all, she loves her time in front of the camera! We learned that during their Shenandoah Mountain engagement session this year. Haha! Savannah came back to have her close up with her mom and dad during their first look, which you’ll see below!! 🙂
For months, I was looking forward to David and Megan’s day just knowing that it was the beginning peak of the fall foliage. There is something warm and fuzzy that fills me up thinking about the season. 🙂 Hot cider, campfires, scarves, boots, football, etc. I couldn’t wait to dive into “FALL!” full-throttle when I returned to Virginia, and most importantly, I couldn’t wait to hug these two and celebrate their day!!
DAVID & MEGAN’S WEDDING DAY
Prepping for Forever.
It was the ideal October day — Fortunately, not as cold as David and Megan’s engagement session in the spring. 🙂 Whew!! Megan was at the farmhouse on the venue property, hanging out with her girls and … Ahead of schedule (emoji praise hands!), thanks to the fabulous work of Makeup by Ana B and her team!! This allowed Megan to relax with her bridal party and family in her cute PJs while I casually took photos of the details and everyone before they got dressed. Megan had the prettiest burgundy velvet ring box to store her rings that tied in the fall feels into the detail shots. 🙂 The girls piled on the bed to share some laughs and toast to the bride before the festivities really kicked off! Not only were they sporting a cute set of PJs, but also some fun bridal party socks!! Love that! While the girls were having fun at the farmhouse, the men were down the street, also casually taking their time to get ready for the day. David also gave his guys socks, but they were wedding-themed — BEES! So fun!!
As Megan slipped on her gorgeous Pronovias dress, she caught a glance of herself in the mirror, admiring the details all coming together. She looked STUNNING! And then she realized after her mom finished buttoning all of the buttons that there was a strap inside of the dress that needed to be fastened … Meaning, I had more prepping photo time while they redid her dress. 😉 Haha! After the last shoe was placed on with her mom’s eyes filled with tears, the girls came in to see her. Their jaws dropped and couldn’t believe how beautiful their best friend looked on her wedding day! We were excited to hurry to the first look so David could share the same thoughts and feelings about his bride. <3 Before we departed to the barrel room for their first look, Megan had some special gifts to share with her sisters and moms. Megan has the kindest, most thoughtful heart! I loved witnessing the selfless acts of kindness she showed to family and friends all day long. <3
The First Look.
David and Megan suggested having their first look in the very place David asked Megan to marry him. The barrel room will forever be a cherishing place — but I guess the Stone Tower Winery grounds will forever be a sentimental location now that they have shared so many memories there between the proposal and wedding day! After they soaked in some time to admire each other, they walked outside to see their sweet fur-baby girl, Savannah! She was all dressed up in her garland getup. 🙂 As I was taking photos of them, all I kept thinking was how great they all looked and how they need to be on canvases! 😉 Haha! And on the flip side, I was also thinking about how I wished I had Ollie there to play with Savannah. I know what that means, though. A play date is in order at Stone Tower Winery in the future!! 🙂 On a serious note (or I guess a not-so-serious note), when I look at these photos below, I see PURE happiness shared between David and Megan. That makes my heart so happy!!!! <3
Their Best Friends.
Everyone joined us outside for “bestie time!” The wind might have been a little tricky to work with during this time of the day, especially when we are talking about the girls just having their hair done — But below, they look FLAWLESS. 🙂 Megan had them wearing long, flowy burgundy dresses with a one-shoulder design and had The Posey Detail complement their dresses with classic white with greenery bouquets with touches of deep red flowers. The guys wore blue and brown colors to contrast with the girls. It’s one of my favorite suit combinations!! To make them a little different, David had the guys wearing wooden bowties! How unique is that?!
The Ceremony.
Just as the ceremony was about to start, the clouds came in, bringing the brisk, chilly October air. Convenient enough, they had a hot cider bar by the company, Olde Tradition Spice, available for their guests. And why not make it a spiked cider? They had a little whiskey on the side for those who needed a “whiskey coat” in case they were cold. 😉 HA! The guests made their way to their seats while admiring the beautiful arbor David handcrafted and The Posey Detail decorated. The rolling hills extended as far as you could see with stunning views of the Stone Tower Winery vines and the distant Shenandoah Mountains. David and the guys made their way out to the altar to anxiously wait for his beautiful bride to make her big debut. The music changed to a song that brought tears to my eyes as I watched Megan make her way, step by step, towards the love of her life. The wind gracefully swept her veil as she made her long walk to the song, “I’ll Never Love” from the movie, A Star is Born. Whew … As I’m typing this, I’m listening to the song and I’m tearing up all over again. <3 As they joined hands with the biggest smile on their faces, they knew that they were minutes away from being official! And just like that, after exchanging their vows and rings, they were pronounced as husband and wife!!! They walked away from the altar with the biggest smiles on their faces, full of joy! <3 This was just the beginning of their forever.
David and Megan’s Newlywed Moments.
After their ceremony, they grabbed each other for a big hug and kiss! They were grateful for the journey that had led them to this very day. Megan wore a long, flowy veil for these photos, which you know made me excited to photograph — Even though my mission was to get them to their cocktail hour!! 🙂 Just when I thought I could send them off, I turned to see the sun breaking through the clouds. I would neverrrrr hold my couple back from how they want to remember their day, but as soon as I showed them the glowy light, they were all about it! 🙂 So I just stole one more minute from their cocktail hour for a few glowy light portraits, and I’m so glad we did!!
The Details
Because it was a chilly day, the firepit was THE place to be during the cocktail hour! But with a pretty view like Stone Tower Winery has, I don’t blame them for wanting to be outside even if it was cold! 🙂 Outside definitely felt like fall, but I had to admire the way they carried fall indoors. Lots of greenery, white pumpkins, and burgundy! Brielle Davis Events and the team did a fabulous job bringing David and Megan’s vision to life and make sure that everything ran smoothly throughout the day. They were super excited to see their bee cake (it’s ADORABLE!!!) with a honeycomb pattern and little fondant bees made by Windows Catering. They were also excited about their favor bar because it was for all dog lovers! I took a little sweet treat home for Ollie, and I must say that David and Megan won him over already. 😉
Because Megan and David are clearly wine fans (hello, winery wedding :)), they had a wine cork customized shadow box for their guests to sign as a keepsake from their wedding day. When guests made their way to their seats, they used the pallet wall (I never asked but I wonder if David made it too!) to find their escort card hanging from the wall. I loved all of the personal touches they did to make their wedding so “them!”
The Party.
The entire room stood to their feet to cheer as David and Megan made their entrance. David brought his wife in close for their first dance. Looking at their first dance photo below, to me, it looks like they were fully in the moment together as if they were the only ones in the room. It’s funny how photography can bring you back to that very exact point in time with a flood of emotions. 😉 One of the reasons why I LOVE my “job!” After sweet, kind words from their best man and maid of honor, they met back in the middle of the dance floor to cut their bee cake! 🙂 And what better way to kick off the party than cutting the cake?! Electric Events was ready to hit this crowd with some classics and get down on the dance floor! I love the captured photos of David and Megan having the time of their life with their family and friends. 🙂 What a day filled with unforgettable memories from start to finish!
Thank you, David and Megan, for having me photograph and celebrate your beautiful engagement session and wedding day! <3 You two are incredibly sweet and special. Your fur baby is so lucky to have you as her parents, and she must be excited that everything is official (whether she knows it or not)! Haha! So happy for you! CONGRATS!!!! XOXO!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Thanks to the vendors who made this happen!!!
Venue: Stone Tower Winery
Planner: Brielle Davis Events
Photography: Stephanie Messick Photography
Hair and Makeup: Makeup by Ana B
Caterer: Windows Catering
Florist: The Posey Detail
Baker: Windows Catering
DJ: Electric Events
Stationery: Minted
Dress Designer: Pronovias dress from Love Couture Bridal
Officiant: Randy Miller
Spiced Cider Station: Olde Tradition Spice
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