credits

ceremony: UVA Chapel
venue: Boar’s Head Inn
florist: University Florists
ceremony music: Madison Trio
reception band: DJ Dennis Payne
dress: Allure Bridal, Signature Lace Collection from Celebration Bridal

How did you meet?

Jonathan: Carolyn and I met in the workplace. I got a new job at an engineering company in Lynchburg, VA in 2009 and I met this really cute editor shortly after I started working there. She was in charge of correcting the reports I wrote, but despite that we hit it off and ended up married three years later.

Carolyn: I noticed the new guy at work right away, and started taking every available chance to go chat him up. He didn’t seem to mind!

Tell us about your dress, shoes and other accessories!

Carolyn: My dress was definitely “the one.” I found it on my first shopping trip, and loved everything about it. It fit like a glove straight off the rack!  The shoes were chosen purely for comfort and the height of the heel; wearing them, I didn’t need to have the dress hemmed!

My “something borrowed” was a necklace, which belonged to my great-grandmother. It’s a gold lavalier-style pendant, with a small pearl drop at the bottom. It’s been passed down from mother to daughter since then, and my Mom wore it in her wedding. That necklace is really something special, in addition to borrowed!

How did you choose your venue?

Jonathan: Carolyn and I both wanted a ceremony that would be memorable and part of that was finding a location that matched our sense of classic style. Since we wanted to have the wedding in Charlottesville, and I am a UVA alum, the UVA chapel came to mind as a good place to consider. Once we stepped inside we knew that we had found the right location!

What was your favorite moment during your wedding day?

Jonathan: My favorite moment was seeing Carolyn walk through the door at the back of the Chapel in her dress for the first time. I had a huge grin on my face the whole time she was walking down the aisle, and as soon as I saw her all the nervousness I felt before began to ease. She was and still is the most beautiful woman in the world at that moment.

What detail did you like best about your wedding day?

Jonathan: One of the best things about our wedding day was that we had a warm, sunny day in early March! We got extremely lucky when it came to weather that weekend and it really made the whole experience that much better.

and I’m just going to have to post the Ralph Lauren wedding “models” again!

Describe your decor and how you chose it!

Jonathan: We both prefer a classical style which is why we chose the UVA Chapel for the ceremony and the Original Ballroom at the Boar’s Head Inn for the reception. Both locations require very little decoration because of the inherent character of the spaces.

Carolyn: Since we both like a clean, simple look, we ended up with primarily black and ivory touches. It’s dramatic, and easy to match colors!

What was your favorite moment during your wedding day?

Carolyn: My favorite part of the evening was our first dance—it was really our first “moment” as a married couple. Jonathan is such a good dancer, and the music and atmosphere were perfect; it was one of those moments when everything comes together beautifully.

Tell us about your food and cake!

Jonathan: The Boar’s Head provided us with a wonderful menu starting with a creamy potato and leek soup, salad and finally a crimini mushroom and boursin stuffed chicken breast with orzo pasta and vegetable ratatouille. After dinner we cut the beautiful cake which was also provided by the Boar’s Head. The thick layer of amazing French butter cream icing on the outside concealed a delicious red velvet cake layered with cream cheese. I can confidently say that this is the best cake that either of us had ever had!

Carolyn: The groom’s cake was baked by Jonathan’s longtime neighbor and fifth-grade teacher, who did all of his birthday cakes when he was small. Jonathan’s family had her make the cake especially for him, and then transported it from Tennessee!

What detail did you like best about your wedding day?

Carolyn: I loved that we got a preview of the pictures right away! I wasn’t expecting that, and it was such a wonderful surprise. Everyone was grouped around admiring the first pictures to come out—gorgeous!

How did you choose your venue?

Carolyn: When it came to the reception, we waded through a lot of venues—too big, too small, too corporate—to find just the right fit. We wanted something understated and elegant, and The Boar’s Head Inn checked all the boxes.

What’s next on your calender as a couple?

Jonathan & Carolyn: Once we get settled in together and integrate two households worth of belongings into one house, we plan to start saving up for the future and someday visit England again and see the park where we got engaged now that we are married.

I’m sure friends and family want to see more so here’s a slideshow with lots more images

and click here to view the complete gallery (contact bride or groom for password)

It’s been just a little over a year and Brianne and J have had many changes in their lives including a new home, new jobs, and most recently, a new pup!  I asked her to take just a few moments with J and let me know which was their favorite photo!

My favorite picture is #6445 where we are walking in to the reception. You can truly see just how happy we are to be married and starting our life together. Even though the room was filled with family and friends, I don’t remember seeing anyone but my new husband before we had our first dance!

J’s favorite picture was also #6445 (chosen separately, I swear!) because we were being introduced as husband and wife. He says, “I looked at my wife and was glad to have found my soulmate.”

Thank you again for all of our wonderful pictures. We plan on celebrating every anniversary by sitting down and looking at each picture and remembering all of the special memories from that day.

Come on downtown and say hi!  We have a wonderful new Mother’s Day special, a new DVD product to show you and a good time for all!  5:30 to 8 PM!

Category was weather (click to view larger)

Under the theory that the best camera to have is the one that’s on you at any given moment, I have been using my iphone like crazy.  But there is still nothing that beats the quality of a Mark D camera with an IS L lens.  Captured outside King’s Island this past March.

Destination events.  sigh.  so beautiful.  Quick iphone snapshot – all I can post. 🙂

I was honored to be the exclusive photographer for Central VA Bridal Guide’s Bride of the Year Luncheon!  Hosted by the wonderful folks at Tresca on 8th, the Luncheon offered a variety of bridal vendors for brides to review while they enjoyed lunch from several caterers.  Stay tuned for a full list of participants and for now, enjoy some highlights below (I tried to get a picture of the vendor name BEFORE each shot so if you want to know whodunnit, just look at the picture before)  Click on the thumbnail to view full size.

I always love to hear about new places to host your wedding – I visited Jane Proctor out at Riverviews recently and admired her wonderful historic location RIGHT on the river!  But don’t listen to me – let her tell you all about it!

On a hilltop overlooking the James River flowing by sits Historic Riverview on the James.  In the foothills of the Blue Ridge, this country estate has celebrated and extended hospitality to visitors for 4 generations. Today you can relax and enjoy the elegance of your wedding, reception, family gathering, festive time on the grounds of the 1873 house. We’ll serve your guests cocktails from our original smokehouse.

Host your groom and groomsmen preparations in the groom’s cottage, once a minister’s study. The bride and her court and her immediate family can dress and prepare in the Georgian manor house.  Recite your vows, cut your cake, host your musicians in the large gazebo.  Toast, or host a grilling at our fireplace. Enjoy an evening fire there and see the stars come out.  The expansive views from Historic Riverview will relax and fill your guests and you with pleasure.  The river beckons and you can enjoy time along it at the broad riversite.  Your special event will have been fully celebrated and the sounds of the James rolling by will stay with you and your guests highlighting the special memories from your time along the James at Historic Riveriew.

I can imagine a country summer event with guests admiring the river views from atop of the hillside!  Check out those chairs just waiting for someone to sit and enjoy a mint julep!

Beautiful March Day and beautiful couple!  (click on each image to view larger!)

Ralph Lauren called – they want their models back. 🙂

It has been my privilege and honor to be one of the founders of I Dream of a Wedding!  Our very first wedding was held yesterday and was a resounding success!  With over 30 vendors participating in many various capacities, donating both time, services and products, Mary and Quinton had an amazing Valentine’s Day wedding.  There will be a HUGE post on the I Dream of a Wedding web site but for now, here’s just a little sneak peek.

From their ceremony at Trivium Estate and Conference Center (see my Fireside Review of  Trivium here)

From their reception at City View on the James