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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November 13, 2014

Chris & Hayley | Raspberry Plain, Virginia Wedding Photographer

wedding_headerWhere do I even begin to describe this incredible day? I first thought it was funny when Hayley told me during our final meeting that there wasn’t going to be many details to photograph … pshhhh, who was she kidding?! Hah! Their day was filled with amazing and beautifully put together details. 🙂 Not to mention all the pink and gold! This was my first time at the GORGEOUS Raspberry Plain in Leesburg, VA and I immediately fell in love with the atmosphere! Their ceremony/reception took place in a room that could have been a greenhouse with the windows stretching all around the guests. Once the ceremony started, I looked around to see everyone taking in deep breaths before Hayley made her entrance. Looking over at Chris … I lost it. His eyes filled up with tears as she walked his way. Such a sweet moment. Hayley’s brother wasn’t able to attend her wedding so as a surprise, Emily (Maid of Honor) held an IPad with a live stream of the wedding so he could be a part of it. Cue more tears … From then until the end of the ceremony, it was waterworks around the room as the vows were said. After being pronounced as husband and wife, they walked down the aisle with paper airplanes thrown their way! A ceremony I will never forget. 🙂

I could go on and on about Chris and Hayley, but I really LOVE these two together!!! They are so fun, sweet, bubbly, romantic and everything in between! I love how they scream at the top of their lungs how much they love each other. Whether it in writing or through photos, it’s obvious. 🙂 And I adore it! I have no ounce of doubt in my mind that they will have an amazing marriage together.

Hayley is a wedding photographer herself, so naturally there is pressure that comes along with photographing another professionals wedding. I remember running around at prepping and overhearing one of the bridesmaids saying, “oh gosh, I cannot imagine the pressure of photographing a wedding photographers wedding”! Lol! Fortunately, when I arrived Hayley was so easy going and relaxed that the pressure naturally eased. 🙂 A HUGE shout out to my second shooter, Krysta! Love having this girl by my side at weddings. 🙂 Thank you for everything and I’m so blessed to know you in and outside of work. xoxo

Thank you Chris and Hayley for the honor of documenting your wedding day! Words cannot express how humbled I am to experience the joys and the tears with you all. I wish you both all of the happiness in the world! Enjoy some of my favorites!! xoxo

1-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-1_webThis DRESS. Blush top with a lace/tulle bottom! I gasped when I saw this!
1-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-3_web1-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-12_web
1-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-4_webLove these bridesmaid dresses!
1-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-13_web1-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-8_webGorgeous rings!!!
1-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-5_web1-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-9_web2-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-2_web2-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-4_webAll smiles! 🙂
2-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-5_webFather of the bride practicing his speech … LOVE this shot Krysta took!
2-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-7_webTime to get into the dress! 🙂
2-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-8_web2-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-11_webYAY!
2-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-16_webAren’t her nails awesome?!
2-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-14_webBest friends. 🙂
2-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-15_web2-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-17_webGorgeous!
2-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-19_web7-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-1_web7-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-6_webLove these airplanes Chris and Hayley put together … “When the newlyweds walk your way, gently toss and yell HOORAY!”
3-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-1_web“Chris is taken, but we’re still single” 🙂 So adorable!
3-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-4_webThe moment we all have been waiting for…
3-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-8_web3-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-10_web:’)
3-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-11_web3-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-12_web3-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-13_web3-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-15_webThe Maid of Honor, Emily, surprised Chris and Hayley with Hayley’s brother on the IPad doing a reading. 🙂 Such a sweet and emotional moment!
3-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-17_web3-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-18_webYAY!!!
3-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-19_webSo fun!!!
3-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-20_web5-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-1_webLook at Chris modeling! Nice!!!
5-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-2_web5-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-3_web5-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-4_webWe had to pull out the beer helmets! Omgosh, I died when I took this photo! Too perfect!
5-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-6_web5-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-7_webGorgeous, girls!
5-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-8_web5-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-11_web5-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-12_web5-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-10_web5-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-13_web5-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-14_webOne of my favorites!
5-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-15_webLove this one!
5-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-16_web6-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-3_web6-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-2_webLove!
6-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-4_web6-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-13_web6-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-6_webOh gosh, they are adorable together!!!
6-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-10_web6-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-14_web6-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-11_web🙂
6-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-16_web6-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-12_web6-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-17_webThe sun started to break from the clouds right when we were in the middle of portraits. 🙂
6-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-18_webLove!
6-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-25_web6-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-20_web“It’s you … it was always you.” I want this decor!
7-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-23_webThey had a gold globe for everyone to sign! Great travel themed idea!
7-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-24_web7-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-5_web7-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-8_web7-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-10_web7-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-11_web7-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-7_web7-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-13_web7-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-14_webLove their decor!
7-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-15_web7-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-17_webPink and gold candy bar!
7-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-18_web8-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-1_web8-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-2_web8-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-3_webAwww Hayley! So cute!
8-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-4_web8-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-5_webThe ring bearers on a break. 🙂 Haha!
8-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-9_web8-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-11_web8-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-13_webDancing time!
8-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-15_webYay! Photographer friends!
8-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-8_webThe star of the show! Haha!
8-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-17_webCONGRATS!!!! xoxo
8-chris-hayley-raspberry-plain-virginia-wedding-photographer-22_web

Thank you to all of the vendors involved!
Venue: Raspberry Plain, Virginia
Coordinator: Maria Guerra, Raspberry Plain
Primary Photographer: Stephanie Messick Photography
Second Photographer: Krysta Norman Photography & Paperie
Hair/Makeup: Perry Warren
Caterer: Better Events Catering
Baker: Edible Incredibles
Officiant: No Ordinary Ordained
DJ: Dream Day DJs
Florist: Ricks Flowers
Videographer: Erin Sellers

  1. Stephanie Sgroi says:

    You look gorgeous Hayley! Beautiful wedding. Congrats and enjoy your life together <3 You both are amazing.

  2. Laurène Ghaleb says:

    Beautiful wedding, gorgeous couple, amazing pictures!!!!! Congrats babe!!

  3. No Ordinary Ordained says:

    Wow. Breathtaking photographs of an amazing, happy, love-filled ceremony!

  4. Patty Ann Tulenko Jones says:

    Hayley – you look absolutely stunning. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness.

  5. Patty Ann Tulenko Jones says:

    Hayley – you look absolutely stunning. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness.

  6. […] and not to mention her awesome sense of home decorating! You remember them from their amazing pink and gold travel themed Raspberry Plain, Leesburg wedding?! Definitely a wedding I will never forget. 🙂 Originally we had scheduled to do some portraits in […]

  7. Mary Jane Winstead Jones says:

    All I can say is Congratulations and it was Beautiful.