A Mini Fall Styled Shoot ~ Valley Forge National Park Wedding Photography

I went for a walk with a friend at Valley Forge National Historical Park about 2 months ago and couldn't help but imagine a bride & groom in the golden fields, with the trees in all their fall-colored glory, as the sun set over the hills. I had never done a "styled shoot" before so didn't really think of putting one together. A few weeks went by and I couldn't stop thinking about how amazing this vision would look in photographs, so I asked this wonderful couple who got married last year, if they would pull out their wedding attire for me and make my dreams come true. They not only killed it with modeling for me, but they looked like it was their actual wedding day...so much laughter and un-prompted kisses!

Many thanks Kat at From Blossoms for the beautiful flowers...she went above and beyond what I had imagined and they couldn't have been more perfect!

I had the hardest time picking and choosing which ones to share...it's a good problem to have (but actually stressful, whew!). Here's what I came up with...Enjoy!

Ernest + Mary-Mac Wedding ~ Something More Than A Miracle

"You have been God's grace to me, a miracle, something more than a miracle" ~ Marilynne Robinson, Gilead. 

Ernest and Mary-Mac's story truly is something more than a miracle and a testament of God's amazing grace. He took two different people, from two separate sides of the country, and from two totally different lives (the open Idaho roads surrounded by farmland and cows compared to the hustle and bustle of downtown Washington D.C.), and brought them together through a common bond of love for each other and a love for God. 

Seeing these two surrounded by tons of friends and family, many of whom traveled across the country, all gathered in one gorgeous spot to celebrate in the joy of their love, was such a blessing to me. Ernest and Mary-Mac have spent much of their adult lives pouring into other people and supporting the milestones in the lives of others...now it was their turn to be celebrated in this way, as they started on their journey of marriage! May these photos be a sweet reminder, in the many years to come, of day that was filled with so much love and great joy. 

Vasa + Kerri ~ Hemphill Farm Wedding Photography

Seeing two people come together in marriage seems to be more and more amazing to me as I see more people do it. It is not just two people coming together, but families coming together and friends coming together and traditions coming together. This wedding brought two entirely different cultures and languages together. On my drive home from my day with this amazing group of people, I called my husband and just raved on and on (I apologized to him for talking so much which is actually uncommon for me!) about Vasa & Kerri and how sweet and raw their love is for each other and for those around them. These two currently live in China, but they decided to have an intimate backyard wedding here in the States where Kerri is from. I so wish that I could describe the day to you all who were not there and explain how moving it was to hear Vasa say his vows to Kerri in English so everyone there could understand, while tears ran down his face. Or seeing them embrace, as genuine smiles formed on their faces. Or watching Kerri's face light up in laughter as Vasa did a goofy pose for the camera! Or listening to them speak to each other in Chinese...I couldn't understand a single word, but to me, it's like they were in their own little world. When I left, Vasa communicated to me that I came to their wedding with a job to do, but that I left as a friend. This is why I LOVE wedding photography...I get to come as a vendor but leave as a friend. Thank you Vasa & Kerri for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful day. Cheers to you both as embark on this life together as husband and wife!