Cate & Adam | The Inn at Willow Grove Wedding

A beautiful The Inn at Willow Grove Wedding!

“Thank you SO much for our package of goodies! I can’t tell you how much Adam and I needed it RIGHT at the moment we got it. Hope you’re doing well and can’t wait to share our special day with you.” – Cate

That post from Cate on my Facebook wall made my day, heck it made my week!  The goodies she is referring to was my Date Night Kit and strict instructions to not talk about the upcoming wedding for an evening and have a date with each other.  In the weeks and months before a wedding everyone gets stressed and you need a timeout, a night to let go and snuggle up together and remember your why.  The why behind the whole wedding, that you found each other and fell head over heels in love.  I want all of my couples to remember to take a night off here and there and leave all the stress of life behind.  Whatever is stressing you at that time is off limits on that night.  Cook dinner together (or order in if that’s your thing) watch a funny movie, eat popcorn and candy and have a date!  Take that recipe and repeat often throughout your lives with each other.  Never stop dating each other!

I have loved working with Cate and Adam from the beginning!  They are the sweetest couple and I have been so excited for their wedding.  They picked one of my favorite wedding venues The Inn at Willow Grove for their celebration and the weather was gorgeous!  As I walked up the gravel to the Inn I heard a voice shout out “Hi Melissa!  I’m getting my makeup done.”  Cate was on the top porch surrounded by her bridesmaids as her make-up artist put on the final touches.  She and her girls looked absolutely stunning!

Cate and Adam opted to do a first look so they could have a few minutes alone and later enjoy cocktail hour with their guests.  Since the Inn is such a beautiful backdrop I set Adam up right in front of the grand structure to wait for his bride.  Cate picked a gorgeous dress with a chiffon skirt so she literally looked like she was floating on air as she walked!  The breeze kept picking it up and swirling it around her as she walked.

Cate and Adam were pros for their photos, snuggling in together and looking like models in front of the camera.  I must say these are some of my favorite bride and groom photos to date.  The light and the setting combined with a gorgeous bride and a very handsome groom made my job so easy and fun!  Add in an awesome bridal party and family that was so great to work with and you have the perfect Inn at Willow Grove wedding day for me!

Cate and Adam it was such a privilege to photograph this monumental day for you both.  I have enjoyed working with you immensely and I hope you love your photos as much as I do.  I wish you a long and happy marriage filled with laughter and lots of date nights!

xoxo Melissa

To see more of  Cate & Adam’s wedding at The Inn at Willow Grove in Orange, Virginia, check out the slideshow below! (Click here if you don’t see the slideshow below)

The following wedding vendors contributed to Cate & Adam’s The Inn at Willow Grove wedding:

Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Inn at Willow Grove
Photography: Melissa Arlena Photography
Florist: Hedge Fine Blooms
Cake & Catering: The Inn at Willow Grove