Y’ALL.  I’ve been a small-town girl all my life, but these two had me acting like a legit city photographer over the past 15 months (peep their e-session and Mandy’s bridal session if you don’t believe me!) and I kind of loved it.  And by “kind of loved it,” I mean I adored every minute of it and I’m so stinkin’ glad these two found me (thanks, instagram!) and invited me to be part of this season with them!

Mandy + Bryan’s wedding day at The Bolling Haxall House in downtown Richmond was classy, elegant, and so personal to who these two are together.  Mandy’s bridal details were the epitome of simple elegance, and the diamonds in her earrings and her necklace were heirloom stones – one set from her family and the other from Bryan’s.  During the ceremony, eighteen (!!!) of their closest friends stood by their side (biggest bridal party I’ve photographed to date – and they were all SO incredibly kind to me!), and their officiate regaled their guests with the story of how they first got to know each other – over coffee from the basement vending machines in the hospital Mandy works at!  Haha!  Countless times throughout the day, their family, bridal party, and friends spoke of what a perfect compliment these two are for each other – and everyone in the room was SO excited to celebrate with them!  As soon as the formal reception events ended, the dance floor was packed and the party did. not. stop. until it was time for the sparkler exit!

I am SO excited to share my faves from Mandy + Bryan’s wedding day with you, and I hope y’all love them as much as I do!

I’m not going to lie, I’m OBSESSED with the dress shots in the Bolling Haxall House front parlor!  all. the. heart. eyes!

Also, how fortunate were we that the Bolling Haxall House had just re-upholstered this chair to this beautiful blue jacquard print that matched Mandy + Bryan’s colors perfectly?!?

Mandy’s necklace was a wedding gift from Bryan, made with diamonds from his grandmother’s ring!

Aren’t these blooms from Black Creek Flower Shop absolutely stunning?!  GAH!

I can always count on Megs to get a great chandelier shot when she’s second shooting with me (see below) and I love her for it!

Remember how I said Mandy wore heirlooms from both sides of the family?  She wore her mama’s diamond stud earrings to go with Bryan’s grandmother’s diamonds that were in her necklace. <3

The front parlor also had the most GORGEOUS window light to get ready in!

Love this mama-daughter hug right after the dress was buttoned up!

MANDY!  You are so stinkin’ gorgeous, girl!

I love, love, love this groom portrait Megs captured of Bryan!

Ummm, can we all just take a minute to swoon over these lovely ladies and their S T U N N I N G dresses in all different shades of blue?!  Oh my goodness, ladies, y’all are so gorgeous!!

I love the timeless architecture of the Bolling Haxall House and that this is the grand entrance guests saw when they started arriving for the ceremony!

Mandy’s dad walked her down the aisle, but all four parents (dad, stepmom, mom, and stepdad) gave her away and it was the sweetest thing.

This bridal party, y’all.  I know they were ready to get the party started by this point, but they were SO amazing for me when we took full bridal party portraits together.  The guys even made sure I had some extra ceremony chairs ready when it was time to set up some seated shots, and I’m so happy with how those images turned out!!  Thank you, guys, for being so kind and so helpful!!!  I’m super grateful.  🙂

Love this sneaky side angle of Megan’s!

I’m not going to lie, I think this next shot on the right of Lexi cheering is the cutest thing ever.  (Thanks, Megs, for capturing these close-ups!)

I feel like I should warn you that these bride + groom portraits just might stop you in your tracks.  Just like they did at their engagement session, Mandy + Bryan slipped effortlessly into the softest embraces and the most genuine laughter as soon as they were in each other’s arms, and it made for some of the absolute sweetest moments to capture.  Bride and groom portraits are my jam anyways, but I seriously could have photographed these two in downtown Richmond all DAY.

I snuck Mandy + Bryan out into the garden courtyard while we waited for guests to clear out of the ceremony space … so this next image happened just minutes after they became husband + wife, and I love the quiet contentment of this moment.  <3

Reasons a cathedral veil is always a win:

I loved that Bryan would just go in for a forehead kiss without me even having to ask him to – those are some of my favorite moments from this part of the day!

Mandy and Bryan had taken dance lessons prior to the wedding day and they impressed everyone with a legit ballroom dance for their first dance!

Remember how I said the dance floor was packed all night?!  I’m about to prove it to you:

Y’all, this next frame is without a doubt my new favorite party shot EVER!

The bride’s brother, y’all:

Bryan is an EMT/firefighter, and the Bolling Haxall House is literally RIGHT next door to the fire station, so of course they had to ride off on the back of one of the fire trucks!

Mandy, Bryan, thank you for inviting me into your lives this year and letting me capture your wedding day for you.  I loved being your photographer, and I feel like I’ve gained two new friends in the process!  I hope you’ve loved re-living your wedding day through my favorite moments!  Sending the biggest hugs all the way to Thailand!  😉

---

SO. many. thank you’s to the incredible team of vendors who shared their time and talents with Mandy + Bryan on their wedding day!  Each of you were so amazing to work with!

venue | The Bolling Haxall House

florals | Black Creek Flower Shop

hair | Stotka Styles

makeup | Rachel Marie

bridal gown designer | Watters

bridal shop | Ava Clara Bridal

bridesmaid gown designers | Asos, Lulus, David’s Bridal, Kennedy Blue, BHLDN, Dillard’s

groom + groomsmen suits | Jos. A. Bank

caterer | Edwards Catering

donuts | Sugar Shack Donuts

dj | Perpetual Sound

video | Yeattes Productions

rentals | Classic Party Rentals

as always, my biggest thank you goes to my bestie and second shooter, Megan Myers!  thank you for road tripping it with me to Richmond, for tracking down things and people for me all day long, for being my second set of hands and the best veil fluffer there ever was, and for serving my sweet couples as well as if they were your own clients.  I’m so grateful for you!