Today we are sharing Molly and Ben’s Hermitage Museum Norfolk wedding day that we shot at the Hermitage Museum and Gardens in Norfolk, Virginia.  A beautiful and historic wedding venue surrounded by water. 

We were a little worried because it was supposed to pour rain all day, but we lucked out so much because we pretty much avoided all the rain. 

Molly and Ben are the sweetest couple.  We did engagement session here in Richmond at Maymont park last spring and they are such a joy to be around. They love each other so hard and it’s so wonderful to witness. 

Ben is in the navy, so we they got to do the saber arch at the end of the ceremony.  He wore his dress blues. I love it when are grooms wear their uniform. And I love it even more when they do an outfit change for the reception and also get to wear a tux or a nice suit. Brides always get the other change and it’s nice that sometimes grooms get one too.

Molly bought a second dress too, from TJ MAXX!!! And it was so gorgeous. She was telling me all day that awesome deals she got on so many of her wedding details, and now I want to go shopping with her.  Molly had the most amazing veil that she got for less than $20 on Amazon.  She actually gave me the link because we loved it so much.. so here it is: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KWKQC5Y?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share&th=1

Anyways this year we are sharing if you are a bride or groom planning your own wedding the things you should steal from this wedding. 

Fun desserts – Hermitage Museum Norfolk Wedding

You do not have to have a wedding cake.  Get what you like.  They actually did have a small wedding cake so they could do a cake cutting. And hysterically their knife broke while they were doing it so one of Ben’s navy buddies ran to the car and got their saber so they could cut the cake with the sword.

But the real shining stars of the dessert table where are the donuts from Okie Doughkie donuts which were so insanely delicious. And they also had ice cream cart from Lolly’s ice cream which was absolutely amazing. 

A Faux Exit 

For the coverage time with a hard with us it was smarter for us to come earlier in the day rather than stay through the exit. Which is almost always the case. You get way more variety and way more bang for your buck if your photographer comes earlier rather than days later. 

They had their bridal party come out with some streamers for a quick exit photo.  I think sometimes when we present a couples “hey do you want to do a faux exit”? they think that everyone has to come in the party is going to stop. But really we can just grab a couple of friends. No one even needs to notice that we left. And then you can just hop right talk to the party once we’re done.

Also they were very limited with their exit photo options because of what this historic museum would allow. So the hermitage museum wouldn’t allow sparklers or confetti or anything like that so it’s not like they had some huge grand exit planned anyways. So doing a faux exit made a lot more sense for them. 

An amazing legacy piece – Hermitage Museum Norfolk Wedding

Molly’s bouquet she had the same ivy that Ben’s mom had in her wedding bouquet. And not only that, but his grandparents used that same ivy. And I’m not sure how many more generations expand back but you get the point. How amazing it is that they all have used this same ivy and all get to have this at their home? 

You could definitely start this tradition now.  But also, you could think though something that could be personal to your family that could become a beautiful legacy piece on your and future generation’s wedding days. 

Hey were so many more beautiful opens for this wedding day. Take a look at a few of our favorites below. Congrats you guys! 

Wedding Vendors:

VENUE | The Hermitage Museum & Gardens @hermitagemuseumva
PLANNER/COORDINATOR | SoireesbyLauren @soireesbylaurenllc
CATERER | SweetWater Cuisine @sweetwater_cuisine
FLORIST | StudioPosy @studioposy
SWEETS | Lolly’s Ice Cream and Okie Doughkie Doughnuts @lollyscreamery
DJ | Astro Entertainment @vdjlarryd @astroeventcompany
HAIR | Hair by Emily Dami @hairbyemilydami
MAKEUP | Meg Sadler Makeup @megsadlermakeup
VIDEOGRAPHER | Lloyd and Laura @lloydandlauraweddings
BRIDAL SALON | Madison James @madison_james
BRIDESMAIDS | Azazie @azazieofficial
RENTALS | Big Top Events @bigtopentertainmentva
LIGHTING | Blue Steel Lighting @bluesteellighting

Here’s Molly & Ben’s Engagement Session we shot here in Richmond last year!