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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September 5, 2018

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

It started back in a coffee shop just around the corner from Georgetown Cupcakes (don’t tempt me like that!! Ha!). Chris, Frankie, and I met upstairs to meet and get to know one another. I felt as though I got together with old friends because they were so welcoming and down-to-earth! I fell in love with their love story, their intentions to continue pursuing one another, and the vision of their engagement session and wedding day! I had no idea, though, how much I would continue falling for these two and the bond they share with each other. <3 Undoubtedly, you will see how they were truly designed to be together once you get to know them throughout this blog post!!!

We got together for their engagement portraits last fall at the always-gorgeous Shenandoah Valley! I got to photograph them in their element and had the opportunity to meet their fur babe, Chloe! She had an important role during their wedding day too. So I’m glad she was able to be a special part of their engagement and wedding celebrations. Clearly, she means so much to them!!! 🙂 During our time together, I had the chance to get to know these two even better. Oh my gosh, their sense of humor is undeniable! No wonder they are so liked and loved by many!!! If you want to get to know them better and see for yourself how hilarious these two are, check out their GORGEOUS engagement portraits as well as their love stories from their perspectives HERE!

Over the past few months, I learned we had more things in common! First, we share the same love for the movie, “The Greatest Showman!” Secondly, we share the same passion for fun, classy, DIY projects! You’ll see PLENTY of that below… Be still, my heart!!! Thirdly, I learned that Chris wasn’t just stationed in Florida right before meeting Frankie, but he lived in Destin, where Alex is currently stationed!!!! I cannot WAIT for future hangouts with Frankie and Chris, and I’m secretly hoping one of the gatherings will happen in Florida next year!!! Beach anniversary photos?! 😉

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

** Warning … I had WAY too many favorites from this wedding!!! SO many beautiful, unique details that I thought was fun to share with you all!! So grab a cup of coffee and enjoy!!!

Chris & Frankie’s Wedding Day

WHEW! Let me tell you, the time before the ceremony was a WHIRLWIND of an afternoon. We had a lot to cover in a short amount of time, but we made it work despite the threat of rain!! No rain was going to ruin Chris and Frankie’s joyful day. And when I say joyful … You better believe there wasn’t one wasted second of having fun! 🙂 It was absolutely JOY-FILLED!!! The vendor team and I knew we were in for a treat last Saturday!!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Both Chris and Frankie were excited to get the events started! I couldn’t wait to see Frankie in her STUNNING dress!!!! She fell in love with the lace detailing, especially the back with the buttons! Just wait until you hear Chris’ reaction during the first look! 🙂

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Instead of the traditional invitation suite, they sent out a custom designed information card that led their guests to their online website with the details. I love that they didn’t feel the need to go with tradition! Plus, how adorable is their custom map drawing below with the fun landmarks illustrated?! I wouldn’t doubt if Frankie designed it!!! Also, I love their Save the Date, but I might be biased. 😉

Also, look a little closer — Frankie made map flowers!!! Seriously, she’s amazing!!!!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Of COURSE, this day wouldn’t be special if they didn’t include their fur babe, Chloe!!!! Look how adorable she looked on their big day! Also, that bandana … SO CUTE! “Chloe ring bearer”

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

LOOK at that dress!!!!! After Frankie slipped her dress on, the girls squealed and couldn’t help but admire the detailing.

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Frankie loved the gold glitter on the bottom of her shoes — I wouldn’t doubt if she did that herself because she is classy with her DIY projects!!! And as Chris stated, “she goes big every time!” And yes she does, which is why I love it!!!!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

To fit in with their custom illustrated card I shared above, they designed this illustrated postcard to send thank yous! What a cute idea! Even her dress is drawn perfectly!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Again, another FABULOUS Frankie DIY project!!! She painted the world map on their Toms along with the “Est. 2018” on the back of them! Cute, unique and totally fitting for this travel inspired wedding!!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Awe, Chris had a way with his words. <3 Gosh, these two were made for each other!!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

It was finally the exciting moment to see each other!!!! 🙂

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Chris said, “This is EXACTLY what I imagined you wearing!” Just what every girl wants to hear. 🙂 🙂 🙂 And, naturally, he wanted to take a walk around to check her out, 360! So cute!!!!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

At this point, we were running around in the rain, but these two kept smiling!!! 🙂

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer
Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

I mean, seriously … Look at that happiness!!!!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Instead of a floral boutonniere, Frankie made these little golden airplanes for the guys to wear. 🙂

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Love this!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Frankie included two special map flowers in her bouquet. One was a map of Denver, where their love story began, and the other was a map of Charlottesville, where they got married! 🙂

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

THIS. CREW. May I go on? They were down to do anythingggggg, and I LOVED it!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Frankie embroidered their wedding day on Chris’ socks! Cute idea! Also, love the pops of color!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

LOVE this idea!!!! Frankie made paper airplanes attached to the bouquets with the girls’ names written on it. I admired every detail Frankie thought of for her special day — Can I hire her creativity for my future wedding, please? 😉 HAHA!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

UH! *Pump* UH! *Pump* UH! “*Pump* I like it like that!” HAHAHA!

Chris initially sparked a liking for Frankie when he saw her perform her own choreography to a hip-hop song. 🙂 So it’s was so appropriate to get this group dancing for a photo … or two. 😉

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

I don’t typically share the “jumping shot” on my blog — But how could I NOT share this epic photo?! Can I photograph this wedding party every weekend? Haha!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

I’m SO glad Chris and Frankie said they would take a risk with the rain and have the ceremony outside!!! The sun came out! <3 PTL!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

You can see how much appreciation and love they have for their families. <3

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

During the ceremony, instead of the typical mixing sand or unity candle, they had soil from Colorado (where they fell in love) and Charlottesville (where they got married) and sprinkled it on this bonsai tree! 

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Chloe making had a very responsible role holding on to the rings!!! What a great pup!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Just as they were about to be pronounced as husband and wife, their family friend who was officiating, recited…

What’s waited till tomorrow starts tonight
It starts tonight
And let this promise in me start
Like an anthem in my heart
From now on

As if I didn’t adore these two enough, they had to recite Alex and my FAVORITE movie, The Greatest Showman!!! YES!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Paper airplane send off!!!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Family means everything. <3

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

As you’ll see in the love sign detail photo later in this blog post, Chris and Frankie have a mission to have a photograph with every LOVE sign in Virginia! 🙂 There are over 100 statewide, and they have tackled 25! Now it can be 26! 🙂 Frankie made this love sign from scratch … Seriously, Frankie … You’re amazing! 

Also, if you want to see their proposal video involving one of the Virginia love signs … and involves wearing silver gray wigs (LOL!) … Check it out HERE!!!!! SO worth watching!!! You’ll see why I instantly fell in love with these two!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Get ready to be INSPIRED by their travel-themed details!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

I love how much they love taking photos!!!!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

They had guests sign their names on the love locks and lock it on their gold globe! What a cute display to have in their house!!!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

I love seeing how they balanced the maroon, grey, and gold color theme with the details! The maroon immediately brought me back to their engagement session when Frankie wore that incredible maroon colored dress!!!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Each guest was given a cute luggage tag. Totally fitting for their rustic, travel-inspired theme!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Every table had a different city Chris and Frankie visited together. The centerpieces weren’t the typical floral display, but rather little knick-knack souvenirs from each city!!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Their photo booth was even had travel themed props! They had their guests leave a photo in “Our Adventure Book” with a little note. 🙂

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

This signature drink board was so “them!” HAHAHA!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerFinally … PARTY TIME!!!!
Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

I’ll admit … That “in” wasn’t supposed to be crooked, and the bartenders wanted to fix it but couldn’t reach it … BUT, I thought it was actually appropriate for it to be out of place. 😉 HA!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Krysta and I looked at each other and thought, “Can we join?!” Haha! Such a fun group!!!!

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Love these two!!!! <3

Chris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding PhotographerChris & Frankie | King Family Vineyards, Virginia Wedding Photographer

Thank you, Chris and Frankie, for giving me the GREATEST honor of documenting your special day!!! I treasured the time we had together, and I look forward to hanging out again in the future! <3 <3 <3 Seriously, you two are special and were absolutely made for one another. I’m so happy for you two, and I know your families are too!!! <3

Congratulations!!!

Thanks to the vendors who made this day so special!!!
Venue: King Family Vineyards
Wedding Planner: Elixir Media Co.
Hair and Makeup: Glo-Out Glamour Bar
Caterer: Harvest Moon Catering
Baker: Cakes by Rachel
DJ: Black Tie Entertainment
Videography: Paperboys
Officiant: Chris Frank
Rentals: MS Events
Photo Booth: A / Ten
Transportation: Easy Riders and Central Virginia Wine Tours

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