Hey friends. Today we are sharing Liv and Jackson’s The Mill at Fine Creek wedding day. They got married just west of Richmond at the Mill at fine Creek, which is a spectacular venue out in Powhatan. They actually have a brewery there now too.

It is such a great wedding venue. It has the perfect set up for a bridal suite and grooms getting ready area. I feel like that’s such an overlooked part of the wedding day but so important when you consider how much time you are spending there. It also has several different ceremony locations and a ton of portrait options. It’s all inclusive and all in close proximity. 

The Mill at Fine Creek portrait locations

Liv had put on her questionnaire that we sent out several different locations that she really wanted to do portraits. We were actually a little bit worried because of time constraints but everything is pretty close together while still having separate pockets (so they could stay hidden from each other) and tons of variety.  

The creek area has a beautiful open, rocky area – which was really beautiful at sunset and stayed pretty bright.  The ruins, which is a gorgeous brick area.  The patio out front of the main building which was amazing.  

Ceremony was very close to sunset which made that location even more stunning. They had a life painter there which was so fun and he probably was just thrilled at the setting. The weather was perfect that day. It made staying outside and going from location to location so much more enjoyable and easy. 

The Mill at Fine Creek wedding couple

Liv and Jackson were actually referred to us from another photographer friend of ours. She is having a baby so she wasn’t able to shoot their wedding. When she was describing Liv and Jackson to us she just kept telling us how easy they were to photograph and how sweet they were with each other. And honestly that’s like an understatement. They were so fun to be around and such sweet people. *See their engagement session here

Here we are sharing three things we think that you should steal from this wedding if you were planning your own.  And we have three really good ones from Liv and Jackson. 

The Mill at Fine Creek wedding details

A photo blitz. 

If you want to get a photo with everyone at the wedding in a really short amount of time this is the way to do it. Basically what happens is the DJ plays a song and tells everyone that the bride and groom will be coming to the table for a photo. The goal is to get all of the pictures done within the length of that song. So, basically you are just running around getting pictures with everyone. It’s fun with the music and the time constraints. But also has a little bit of practicality in it that you’re able to really quickly get a picture with everyone – and guests understand that you aren’t going to stay and chat. 

It’s a lot of group photos in a short amount of time. And also we did this at the end of dinner which is kind of a lull in events anyways

A well planned ceremony. 

Liv and Jackson did such a great job planning out their ceremony. I feel like on wedding days for some reason the ceremony itself is an overlooked part. I loved that they actually had two important people from their lives hope officiate the ceremony. 

They shared their vows in between those two people being upfront. They actually didn’t have anyone standing behind them as they shared their vows which made for a really special moment. 

Sit on opposite sides

They also have their parents sit on opposite sides of the aisle. So lives stood on the left but her parents sat on the right. Jackson stood on the right and his parents sat on the left. This makes it so that your parents can actually see your face during the ceremony they’re not staring at the back of your head.

I have also seen it where bridal parties will stand on the opposite side. That way, they can actually see their best friend as they are saying their vows and “I dos”. 

Have an exit plan – from your ceremony

Liv and Jackson came up with a very clear plan for after their ceremony. They had told their bridal party and their family members what they were going to do and knew exactly what route they were going to take. So they were as efficient as possible. It is surprising how much time can be eaten up by this part of the wedding day being unclear. 

Also this can create a point where guests feel like they can come say a quick hello or give you a hug which can end up taking a lot of time. So instead have a clear exit plan. Start doing your photos, get them done so that you can go enjoy cocktail hour or spend some time together before the reception. 

Also their venue knew exactly what was happening, so drinks could be brought down and could guide guests to where they needed to be. 

*** This is especially important if you didn’t do a first look and are close to sunset. 

That is a couple of our favorite moments from the wedding day. See so many more below from the Mill at fine Creek wedding. Congrats you guys!

The Creative Team
VENUE | The Mill at Fine Creek
CATERER | Fine Creek Provisions
FLORIST | Weddings by Vogue
DJ | Dynamic DJ Services
HAIR & MAKEUP | Richmond Makeup Artist
BRIDAL SALON | Tiffany’s Bridal – Christina Wu
ALTERATIONS | AG Alterations
BRIDESMAIDS | Tiffany’s Bridal – Morilee
GROOM | Tom James Company
TRANSPORTATION | James River Transportation
LIVE PAINTER | John Price Art