On the wedding day, when we arrive at the venue… from that first turn off the main road… we turn down the music, drive slower than normal, and just look (or if we want to be real about it, Laura is normally hanging out of the window taking insta-stories, while squealing a lot). Generally this is the first time we’ve seen the venue in person. We take our time here because we know that our clients have invested a largest chunk into this space. We’ve been blessed to photograph at all types of venues in 2017… from a large privately owned farm in Charlottesville, to a giant historic plantation off the James River… and to show off some of these amazing places, we’d like to share some of our favorites from last year!

An old favorite!

One of our favorite venues, and one that we’ve been to a few times is Amber Grove. Many years ago, we shot one of our favorite clients to date, Michael & Audra, and this year we continued that streak of having the perfect clients with Annie & Patrick. Amber Grove is on the south-side of Richmond at a beautiful house that has an outdoor ceremony space, beautiful wood barn, tented reception, fire pit, and our amazing vendor-turned-friend, John. He runs Amber Grove, and covers almost everything you need on a wedding day.

 

Somewhere old, and somewhere new!

Kelly & Rich  (aka the sweetest couple of all!) got married at Westover Plantation, an early 1600’s beautiful plantation and flower garden that overlooks the James River. This place was amazing! The ceremony facing the river, beautiful trees and garden, and open space for a gorgeous high pole tent. It’s a little off the beaten path, and you may find a snake on the grounds like one of the groomsmen did, but it will blow your mind away!

A place for the weekend!

We also photographed at Fairview Farm, a large property complete with two houses, a beautiful barn, man cave with pool table and grill, and even a pond for fishing! This place is perfect for you and your entire bridal party to crash for the weekend. The houses give you the option to rent them for the night before and night after, and if you’re like our stunning couple Caitlin & Daniel, you can relax the hours before without needing to go anywhere, go fishing, or even grill some oysters! We are so excited to have another wedding there this year!

Well worth a Long drive!

Long Branch Historic house and farm was another 2017 first. Laura was definitely hanging out of the car for this one… The drive up was absolutely breathtaking! Set in Winchester’s gorgeous rolling hills, you approach this historic venue by driving past acres of open farmland and lakes. Our close friends Rachel & John got married here, and we wish we could have just moved in here and lived here! Laura calls dibs on living in the bridal suite because it is beautiful!

There’s always Hope!

Hope Church is located in the west end of Richmond, and though our beautiful clients didn’t get married in the main church building, there are plenty of getting ready spaces full of giant windows, letting in some amazing light. They have an entirely separate area dedicated for their youth ministry, which served as Kela & Austin’s reception space, and was designed by the same people that built Pippin Hill in Charlottesville (One of the most gorgeous venues in Virginia).