They were set up in these fantastic suites that overlooked the property. The guys did the typical getting ready routine consisting of some reminiscing , a little drinking and lots of laughs.

Hello men!! These guys knew how to work it. Don’t you love the different color ties. Such a great idea!

I could go on all day about the beautiful details that Heather & Co. put together for the weekend. I seriously love the calla lilies in the girls bouquet.  Lesa from Cana Mt. Airy Florist did an exquisite job.

I’ll let the following photos do the talking but I do have to mention the delicious chocolate covered strawberries that flanked the cake. YUM! I am still thinking about them.

The ceremony was an emotional one and it all started with the walk down the aisle. Such a sweet moment.

Bens favorite!

Can you spot the ring bearers trying to open the ring boxes they are holding. Such curious boys.

MARRIED! 

After the ceremony they released two doves in honor of their union. Heather told me that the doves will fly back to their home even from 2 hours away (by car). They circled the property for a bit to find their bearings and then off they went.

You know the saying that the people you choose to surround yourself with are a reflection back on the type of person you are. Well, Heather & Charlie surrounded themselves with the greatest group of friends. The bridal party were troopers. Although it was only the beginning of October it was one of the first cold days we have had around here. Add to that being on top of a mountain with lots of wind and I am surprised we were able to get everyone to not only pose for the picture but actual have fun doing it. You guys rock!

LOVE! They really were such naturals in front of the camera.

GORGEOUS BRIDE ALERT!  My favorite on the left.  Heather, you are stunning!

First dance time. They were all giggles and smiles throughout their dance.

The mother/son and father/daughter dances were emotional. It was touching to watch.

Then the party got rolling. This is the first time we shot a wedding that featured a caricature artist, Brian Vasilik, and I loved it! It was so fun to watch him work throughout the night. Plus it added a nice level of entertainment to their reception.

I could photograph Heather’s ring ALL DAY LONG. It just makes me speechless.

Of course, lots of dancing fun was had till late into the night. Even the kids were still up and celebrating.

Heather & Charlie – you guys are fantastic. We love being a part of your special day and can’t ask for better clients and friends. Lots of love and congratulations! S&B

Even in a quick ceremony there is just magic between a couple. I love the chemistry between them in this photo.

With three boys there was a lot of running around everywhere. The two boys were on the hunt for a snake hole.

All the kids wanted to do was climb on these rocks. Ally did her best to keep up with all of the boys.

What a gorgeous couple!!

And a gorgeous family! When shooting family shots we know you just have to work with what you can get. This photo to me is perfect. Such a capture of who their family is….craziness and all.

Then it was time for a little goofing around. Even though it was hot, Tony picked up each of the kids and swung them around. Now that’s a good dad.

Boys will be boys.

Such a precious moment between Christina & her daughter.   Ben’s two favorites!

Love this! So sweet.

Seriously, a grassy field, good sunlight and a couple in love and I am a happy photographer.

My favorite is on the left. I might need to get a canvas of this for my wall.

As we were leaving Ben ran back to capture this moment of two of the boys horsing around. I am so glad he did.

Congratulations Christina & Tony! Thanks for allowing us to be a part of your special day. We loved getting to know you and your gorgeous family. Lots of love!

Catherine’s nephews helped the guys get ready for the day…that is until the raindrops on the window distracted them.

There is just something special about a bride putting on her wedding shoes. Beautiful.

Craziness ensued when Paykon couldn’t find his cummerbund. Thirty minutes of searching and it was finally found.  It is supposed to go on your head, right?

Work it ladies!

The ring bearer and flower girl were quite the pair. Too cute! Isn’t that bow on her head adorable!?

Love how they are looking at each other here. So sweet.

MARRIED!!!!!!

Now this is what I call a jumping shot. The guys really went for it.

Giving a little attitude.

Such a cute couple.

As Tech grads it is basically a requirement to get a shot at the Pylons. Just amazing,

While we were taking pictures the shuttle back to the Inn left the bride and groom behind! Luckily it returned in time to get them to their reception.

The toasts got lots of laughs from all. The maid of honor, Kathleen, read letters that Catherine wrote to her in grade school.

I love this shot of Catherine with her dad. She is so happy.

Then the dancing got started. The Sugarhill gang’s “Apache” really got the crowd moving. DJ Earl was an excellent emcee.

More dancing topped off the evening.

Catherine & Paykon – we enjoyed spending the day with you. Congratulations & Best Wishes!!

Jenn purchased these hangers for herself and her bridesmaids from Etsy. What a great idea! It really makes the dress pictures so much better. The hangers that always come with wedding gowns are just ugly and bulky. So yay to Etsy! This compass was a gift form Jenn to Mark. It is engraved with his initals. Mark’s son Sam also has a smaller version.

Jenn stitched these handkerchiefs for Mark, her mom and Mark’s mom. So sweet! What a great memory and keepsake of Jenn’s thoughts as she embarked on this big journey with Mark. I especially love what she wrote on her mom’s.

Mark helping his son, Sam, get ready for the ceremony. Sam’s little tuxedo was a mini version of his dad’s.

As big Yankee fans, Jenn arranged it so Sam walked down the aisle with this baseball glove strung with the rings instead of a traditional pillow. Mark had no idea he was going to do that. From the look on his face he was pleasantly surprised.

LOOOVE the look Jenn’s brother Rick is giving her here.

My favorite moment of the ceremony was when Jenn said her own vows to Sam. I have to admit that I about lost it here. It was sweet and heartfelt.

Mark grew up in this church and when he was a young boy he would throw paper airplanes from the balcony during mass. As a tribute, they had a paper airplane fly down once they were announced husband and wife.

Mark just got this convertible a few months ago and it was the perfect getaway car.

As it often happens our timeline was cut short for photos but we did manage to knock out a few before dinner was served. Jenn & Mark just worked it out. I love the look Jenn is giving Mark in the first one.

My favorite! I just love their expressions.

Introducing the new Mr. and Mrs.!! See that globe hanging from the light during Mark & Jenn’s first dance? That’s Joe. Sam made it and named it accordingly. Gotta love creative kids.

Ah! Can I have 2 favorites? Ben picked this one as his favorite so I guess I’ll let him have it.

Where do I even begin with all of the details!!! The food from Plantation Creations Catering at The Plantation at Sunnybrook was AMAZING! They served it family style (great idea!) and it probably goes down in the top 3 best meals we have ever had at a wedding. As you can tell from the menu it was southern food at it’s finest. As if the food wasn’t enough they had a candy bar for their guests to enjoy.  How cute are the favor boxes for them to take it home in. See, told you no detail was left unturned.

The florist did an amazing job with all of the flowers. See the flowers with the ribbon that says “you will marry your soulmate”? Instead of just having one toss bouquet Jenn has a bunch of smaller bouquet with ribbon on it telling the single ladies future. Clever idea! And lastly, instead of a traditional guest book they had a guest wishing well. Guests wrote down words of advice, funny notes, etc. picked a sticker with a number on it to coordinate the year in which they would like Jenn & Mark to read it and dropped it in the well. They will have years of entertainment in reading their guests notes. Seriously clever!

A few shout outs that helped make their day possible: Flowers by Creative Occasions Florist, Cake lovingly made by Sweet’s Sweets, Reception at The Plantation at Sunnybrook.

As a gift to Mark before their wedding Jenn delivered to him this 35 year old scotch. The shot on the left is what it looked like at the start of the reception….on the right was what it looked like near the end. I think it was enjoyed.

Jenn, you are beautiful!! Such a radiant bride. <3

You know I love rings in candy and being from Hershey I couldn’t resist the Kisses! Yes, I am posting two ring shots but I checked it’s allowed.

The reception had something for everyone. There was seashell listening….

Nintendo playing….

And, of course, dancing!!!!

What a great send off!! These sparklers are a fun idea to go out in style!

Congratulations Jenn & Mark! We loved being a part of your special day. Much love.

Love this picture of Melanie – all done up and looking stunning.  Ben’s first favorite.  Meanwhile, Alan was figuring out the finer points of attaching a boutonierre to a jacket.

What a gorgeous bridal party!  Love the black and red colors; very classic and always classy.  These girls were so much fun to be around all day.

This wedding was in the middle of December, they lucked out and the day was pretty mild compared to some of the sub zero temperatures we’ve been having lately.  It was still chilly out, Ben and I were in long coats and gloves!  These ladies were troopers and still had fun outside taking pictures.  (PS > more people should get married in December!  Between the holiday decorations everywhere, christmas songs and general festive atmosphere it was a fun day from start to finish)

Love that we were able to capture both of these moments just minutes before Melanie walked down the aisle.  We always consider ourselves so lucky that we get to be part of some of the little special moments that make up a couples wedding day – the bride and groom composing themselves and thinking about the incredible promise they are about to make to each other.

St. Andrews is by far the most beautiful and ornate church we have shot in this year.  The views from any angle in the church are just breathtaking.

LOVE

We had some time to take a few shots of just the two of them after the ceremony.  The sun was just starting to set over Roanoke and the light hitting the balcony of the church, was just….INCREDIBLE.

Ben’s view, and second favorite of the day:

My view, and my favorite of the day:

Did we mention how awesome the backdrop of Chrismas decorations was?

Melanie and Alan took dance lessons before their wedding and choreographed their first dance.  They looked beautiful out there together, and the backdrop of the Corinthian Ballroom added to the elegance.

Gives me the chills every time I look at this one.  :)

SHOUT! ………….and……….I can only hope that when Ben and I have been married for many years, he still smiles like this when he dances with me

We’ve seen plenty of funny “avoid the bouquet” moments, but this one takes the cake – most ladies just stealthily step to the side.  This one bridesmaid decided to go with the full on, nuclear attack drill duck and cover.  Classic.

MARRIED!!!! Don’t they just look incredibly happy.  Melanie & Alan – May all your days together be as happy as this photo shows.  Much love and Merry Christmas!

Patrick looking calm, cool and collected minutes from walking down the aisle to meet his future Mrs.

Gotta love the coziness of VT’s War Memorial Chapel.  Kristin, her mom and uncle were having a little bit of a rough time making it down the aisle three across.  LOVE Ben’s capture of this unique moment.  Sam’s favorite!

Those who know me know that I am a bit of  sentimental person and one of my many favorite moments of weddings is the vows & ring exchange.  You can see how excited Kristin is in the photo on the left.

Here Patrick is about to become a husband.

A Catholic blessing over the newly minted Mr. & Mrs.

How handsome are these guys!  And hilarious!  They had us cracking up the entire day.  Kristin & Patrick decided that instead of having the guys rent tuxes for just the day they had all the guys purchase tan suits so they could wear them again.  Great idea!

Ben & I do a lot of shooting over at Tech’s campus and so it always amazes me when we stumble upon a new spot.  Kristin took us to this hidden gem near the Duckpond.  GAWK!!! Just look at all the fabulous fall colors.  AND the sunlight.  AND a gorgeous couple. = 2 happy photographers.

Best Wishes did another fantastic job on all the flowers.  It fit into their fall theme perfectly.

MARRIED!

Their reception was held at Bakers Best. Love this tender moment during their first dance.  Apparently so did everyone else.  Note the paparazzi behind them.

Maybe for Christmas I’ll just make a big book of all of our brides rings and present it to Ben as “Ideas for Christmas” list for me.  Kristin’s ring would be on top.  LOVE the color.

There is a great story behind this unique German toasting glass in the right photo.  The short story is that goldsmith fell in love with a nobleman’s daughter.  The nobleman did not approve of the marriage but declared that if the goldsmith could create a glass that two people could drink from without spilling a single drop then he would approve the union.  Thus was created this German toasting glass.  The girls skirt becomes one glass for the groom while the bucket in her arms can be swiveled so the bride can drink from it at the same time.  Read more of this tradition here.

Last dance!  This photo perfectly captures their reception and all the joy and love that surrounded them throughout the day.

Congratulations Kristin & Patrick!  We adored working with you and hope to see you again soon.  Much love – S&B