We are sharing Kelly and Brian, two of the most wonderful people on the planet’s wedding. They got married last weekend at upper Shirley Vineyards here in Virginia.

Forget the fact that it spent most of the day raining. It was still amazing.

Can I say that the fact that they did a first look is so clutch. If these two had decided not to do a first look they would have gotten zero pictures outside. Upper Shirley is great for bad weather because they have a beautiful front porch space. With that said, how it was in fall, coupled with the fact that it started storming and pouring rain during their ceremony. It would’ve been impossible to get any pictures outside without doing that first look.

It stopped raining just in time for us to be able to do their first look and their bridal party. We very quickly did bridal party and then ran inside because it started raining. And then we quickly went outside again at a break to take some family for months before the ceremony.

So we walked up to these two on the wedding day and they both just radiate such joy that it feels like you we’re walking up to our best friends even though we really don’t know them. We walked up to Kelly on her wedding day and she hands Michael a gift. 

If you do not know Michael’s signature is a bowtie he wears one to every single wedding and Kelly and Brian had gotten him a Chick-fil-A bowtie. They both work for Chick-fil-A corporate, in fact they met working at Chick-fil-A, and so they sprinkled a little Chick-fil-A touches throughout their wedding day. They had the Chick-fil-A cow they came out in Chick-fil-A cookies passed around.. all the fun things. 

Michael got a bowtie and put it on immediately. And then we started shooting her details which were some of my favorite details this year. Probably especially because Kelly is so type-a that she had everything incredibly organized for me in a bag ready to go when we got there.

We had never shot at Upper Shirley before. But they’re getting ready area is beautiful especially for the girls. It is upstairs and Upper Shirley is a working winery so there were people there during the day before the ceremony. So the rain actually helped because it probably wasn’t nearly as busy as it would have been if it was a beautiful day outside. But even for the first look we had to walk through the tasting room where people were sitting. 

But then their first look was just so beautiful. Can I plug first looks again? It was just such a beautiful moment for them to be able to have together where Brian could pray for them and their marriage and they could have a second as just the two of them on their wedding day. 

Then their bridal party came out. And they were so fun such a good group and we were able to really, really quickly take their bridal party portraits before the rain really started coming down.

And then their ceremony was so beautiful. Unfortunately it couldn’t be on their back lawn next to the James River like they had originally planned. But they had a beautiful ceremony on the covered front porch. Kelly’s brother was the officiant and did such a great job with their service. The middle of their service it started pouring rain but then the sun came out and there was this insane rainbow. It was just such a beautiful moment.

And then it was just the most fun reception. Meagan from Magnolia Collective put together such a beautiful reception space. Ben, one of our favorite DJs had everyone dancing. It was such a great party and we were so sad when it was over. 

Kelly and Brian, have a mentioned how much I love you? We are just so excited that you guys are finally married and are so happy for y’all. Congratulations you guys!

The Vendor Team – Upper Shirley Vineyard Wedding

Wedding Planner/Coordinator | Meagan Magnolia Collective
Florist | Amanda Burnette
Venue + Caterer | Upper Shirley Vineyards
Bakery | Sweet Fix
DJ/Entertainment | Ben from Repeatable DJ 
Bridal Salon | Sweet Elegance Bridal
Bridesmaid’s Dresses | Birdy Grey
Formalwear/Suits | The Modern Groom
Hair and Makeup | Cam Carson + Co
Officiant | Brother
String Quartet | Melodious Strings

 

See more of Kelly and Brian here