Northern Neck Wedding

I was sold from the first moment they contacted me and told me about their plan for their Northern Neck wedding! A small family affair stretching over a weekend at the family river house including boat rides and lots of river fun. Oh and they just wanted to get married somewhere in the middle of all that! I loved it and when I left that Sunday after documenting all the laughter and tears all I thought was I want to come back as a family friend and hang out with them again. Both families were so amazing and watching Mary and Carrie commit to each other in such an intimate family built setting was beautiful.

Mary’s family river house was the perfect location, with the river out the back door and a golf course out the front you couldn’t find a more gorgeous setting. Plus a stunning garden in the backyard with the perfect path to lead up to the ceremony. I was totally blown away when Mary’s mother came around with clippings from the yard and gardens and created all the floral decor for the ceremony space. She did an amazing job! Not to mention preparing all the delicious food for the wedding day. She was like wedding wonder woman!

Mary and Carrie decided to get ready separately and then have a first look at the cottage at the winery we were staying at! We were able to take a few photos at the winery before we headed over to the river house for even more photos. Ironically we were not able to get photos in the vines like I planned because they were guarded by a pack of the cutest dogs, we weren’t afraid of the dogs but more afraid of muddy paws on wedding dresses! The name of the vineyard The Dog and Oyster seemed to fit with all the dogs running around, lol!

Once back at the house guests gathered and each grabbed their own Adirondack chair to sit back relax and watch the ceremony right before sunset. Mary and Carrie had their siblings take turns officiating different parts of the ceremony, each putting their own touch on the union. They also passed their rings among the gathered family members so each could say a blessing over their marriage. It was personal touches like those that really enveloped the two families together in supporting the girls on their new journey!

Enjoy some photos of the day with a few more tidbits about the wedding sprinkled in! Don’t forget to check out the slideshow at the end and leave Mary and Carrie a comment!

The view of Mary’s parents river house from the river along with a shot of her mother’s garden that provided all the wedding florals!

I love the tandem bicycle wedding theme! I even have a photo of the girls posing with Carrie’s grandmother’s tandem bicycle at their engagement session!

I don’t think I’ve ever photographed that many rings before!

Mary is a make-up artist and has practice doing wedding make-up for her friends so she tackled hers and Carrie’s make-up for their big day!

The image on the left is one of my favorites!

Beautiful light! Beautiful brides!

Again look at that gorgeous light and how happy Mary looks!

I love the ribbons on the arch and those leafy floral decor are beautiful!

Finn wanted to be in on the ceremony too!

If there is a moment in your life that you absolutely should cry I think it is during your wedding vows! The overwhelming emotion and love you feel shouldn’t be held back!