Oh, friends.  Do I have a treat for you today!  It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve shot a bridal session, and I love that my first session of 2019 was Mandy’s bridal session!  It was the perfect way to start the year, and it reminded me just how much fun bridal sessions are.  Bridal sessions mean I get to spend an afternoon with one of my sweet brides, capturing all the gorgeous details of the bridal look that she’s spent months planning.  Mandy is absolutely gorgeous, inside and out, and it was such an honor to be able to capture that during her session.  We enjoyed a rare 60-degree day in Virginia in February (!!!), and even though we encountered a few sprinkles, Mandy had the best attitude.  She never stopped smiling and laughing (which I’ll attribute in part to her cousin, Katie, being our official veil fluffer for the afternoon – haha!)!

We started Mandy’s session at her wedding venue, the Bolling Haxall House, in downtown Richmond – and I loved getting to explore the venue even before the wedding day!  From its grand, arched doorways to its garden courtyard that feels like a little piece of Europe right here in Virginia, it was a beautiful, timeless location to capture a stunning bride.  We spent the second half of Mandy’s session at a location that allowed us to showcase views of the city she loves so much – the Richmond War Memorial.  I love that the bridge we photographed their engagement photos on is visible in the background of so many of her bridal portraits!

I have been anxiously waiting to share these images, and now that Mandy + Bryan are MARRIED (stay tuned for their wedding day blog post soon!), I can finally share them!  Enjoy a few of my faves from Mandy’s bridal session!

See what I mean about all of the pretty arches in the Bolling Haxall House architecture?!

These next two are two of my TOP faves from Mandy’s session!  I love how stunning the Bolling Haxall House is in black + white, and I’m basically obsessed with this bouquet from Black Creek Flower Shop (and that deep blue upholstered chair!!)!

Y’all, how gorgeous is this bride??

LOVE that long veil and allll the pretty things we can do with it in photos!

We spent the last part of Mandy’s session at the Richmond Virginia War Memorial, where we got to show off some views of the city this bride loves so much!

THAT. VEIL!  alll the heart eyes!

(also, one of those bridges in the background is the one we shot Mandy + Bryan’s engagement photos on!  I love how much Mandy + Bryan got this small town girl shooting in the city!)

I’m not going to lie, I’m pretty obsessed with both of these next images but especially the black + white!

Have I mentioned how stunning this bouquet was?!?

I think this next frame is my absolute favorite from Mandy’s session.  This girl is STUNNING!

I had to end with this frame showcasing how stunning the back of Mandy’s dress is!!  Love!

Mandy, girl, thanks for bringing me to Richmond three times this year – I have loved it every single time!!!  You are a stunner of a bride and I’m so glad we got to capture these portraits for you!

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Special thanks to Mandy + Bryan’s wedding vendors who also contributed to Mandy’s bridal session!!

venue | Bolling Haxall House

florals | Black Creek Flower Shop

hair | Sydney Stotka

bridal shop | Ava Clara Bridal