I’m Stephanie, a wedding + lifestyle photographer based in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Warrenton, Virginia. Whether I’m by the mountains of Colorado or Virginia, my soul feels at home, surrounded by rural living and the raw beauty of nature. I genuinely love what I do, and feel so passionate to share the enthusiasm and joy of these celebrations with you!

DOCUMENTING LOVE'S UNSCRIPTED CHAPTERS FROM COUPLES & FAMILIES IN COLORADO + VIRGINIA

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March 26, 2014

Justin & Lauren | Morais Vineyard, Virginia Wedding Photographer

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First wedding of the year could not have started on a better note! Blush pinks … plenty of flowers … spring in the air … an adorable couple … all at one of my favorite venues, Morais Vineyards! Fortunately, I was acquainted with Lauren back early last year when I shot a wedding at Fauquier Springs Country Club. She has a major role when it comes to putting together the weddings there at the venue, so I had the chance to really get to know her that way and I am SO glad I did! So honored when I received the email asking if I could photograph her wedding … what?! ME?! YES PLEASE! From the engagement session to their beautiful day, I am so grateful to have had this chance to get to know them on a more personal level. Lauren has a beautiful heart and so down to earth. You walk up to her and instantly feel like you’ve known her longer than 5 minutes! Her smile is super contagious, which is one of many reasons why Justin was swept off his feet by her natural beauty. Justin is a country man who loves to make people laugh and yet, has a heart of gold with a mission to make Lauren happy every minute of the day. Together, they complete one another. <3

CONGRATS Justin and Lauren!!! Could not have been a more beautiful and perfect day. <3 So honored to have photographed these special and precious memories to hold on to forever! xoxo

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1_preppingdetails-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-8_webAnything Kate Spade … love!
1_preppingdetails-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-9_webHer bouquet has peonies in it … I’m all over it! 🙂
1_preppingdetails-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-12_web2_prepping-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-1_webOh yes, this is the wedding planner fixing up one of the bridesmaids nails. She’s so multifaceted!
2_prepping-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-3_web2_prepping-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-5_web2_prepping-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-7_webFinally, it is time to put on the dress. 🙂
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2_prepping-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-30_webThis was such a sweet and sentimental moment between mother and daughter. Made us all tear up!!!
2_prepping-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-32_web2_prepping-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-34_web3_ceremony-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-1_web3_ceremony-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-4_web3_ceremony-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-8_web3_ceremony-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-9_webFirst kiss as husband and wife!!!
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3_ceremony-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-12_web5_weddingparty-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-1_webThese girls are super adorable!
5_weddingparty-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-3_web5_weddingparty-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-4_webI think he’s ready for kids! Lol!
5_weddingparty-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-5_web5_weddingparty-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-6_web5_weddingparty-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-8_web5_weddingparty-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-10_web5_weddingparty-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-11_webYAY!
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Gorgeous Lauren!
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6_portraits-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-7_web6_portraits-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-11_web6_portraits-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-13_web6_portraits-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-14_webLove! Such an adorable smile! 🙂
6_portraits-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-16_webThen the sun started to set … sigh! How perfect!
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LOVE.
6_portraits-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-20_web6_portraits-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-23_webGorgeous!
6_portraits-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-24_web6_portraits-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-27_webI love this place!!!! SO MUCH!
7_receptiondetails-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-24_web7_receptiondetails-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-25_web
7_receptiondetails-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-1_web7_receptiondetails-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-2_web7_receptiondetails-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-3_webLook at this CAKE! My goodness!!!
7_receptiondetails-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-5_webOf course Justin needs a man cake. 😉 Lol!
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7_receptiondetails-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-7_web7_receptiondetails-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-11_web7_receptiondetails-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-12_web7_receptiondetails-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-18_web7_receptiondetails-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-22_web8_reception-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-1_web8_reception-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-4_webThese speeches were so touching!!! Especially when it came time for her father to speak … not one dry eye in the room!
8_reception-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-6_web8_reception-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-9_webDancing time!
8_reception-morais_vineyard_virginia_photographer-13_webYUMMMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYY!!!!!!
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Again, CONGRATS Justin and Lauren!!! Thank you all for a fabulous time from start to finish!!!! So much fun! 🙂

CREATIVE TEAM
Ceremony Venue: St. James Episcopal Church, Warrenton, Virginia
Reception Venue: Morais Vineyards, Bealeton, Virginia
Wedding Coordinator: Jennifer Baer, MayJune Events
Hair/Makeup Arists: Salon Emage
Caterer: Legends
Florist: Everlasting Flowers
Baker: Gateau
DJ: Sound Decision
Video: Will Rummel
Stationery: Invite Me
Chocolate Fondue: Capitol Chocolate Fountains LLC
Bridal Dress: Blush Bridal Boutique

  1. Melissa,
    Beautiful pictures, can you link them to me via facebook or website. Thank you so much.

  2. Lauren Swann says:

    So pretty Steph!!

  3. […] far so good. I’ve started the season on a high note with Justin and Lauren’s wedding and this past weekend was my “off weekend” before the wedding season really kicks into […]

  4. […] and I met at Justin & Lauren’s gorgeous wedding back in March. Immediately, we hit it off … especially once I found that she was a JMU Alumni!!! […]

  5. […] long ago when she and I worked on Lauren and Justin’s wedding {photos from that gorgeous day here}, and between her energy, personality, and the fact that she was also a fellow JMU grad… I […]

  6. […] long ago when she and I worked on Lauren and Justin’s wedding {photos from that gorgeous day here}, and between her energy, personality, and the fact that she was also a fellow JMU grad… I […]