Kelsey + Jake have such a romantic story!  They met through mutual friends while Kelsey was in the U.K. on vacation, and to hear all of their friends recount that night, it’s clear that Jake was smitten with Kelsey from the very beginning.  Jake lived in the U.K., Kelsey in the U.S. – but they did what some people would have considered too difficult or too much of a long shot.  They got to know each other and maintained an across-the-ocean long distance relationship for several years before Jake proposed, and then they began the process of getting the paperwork in place that would allow Jake to move to the U.S.  I’m sure they would tell anyone who asked that it wasn’t an easy journey, but now they have finally made it to the end of the long distance season of their relationship, and I am SO excited for them!!!

I’ve had the joy of being part of this season with these two for over a year now, and it’s been so fun to get to know them over that time, and to finally see their vision for their wedding day become a reality!  Kelsey envisioned an intimate garden wedding with a reception under the night sky, and it came to life so beautifully!  Every detail exuded simple elegance, and not even the threat of rain all day could dampen the mood of the friends and family who came to celebrate with them!  (And in the end, the rain held off almost the entire day!)  I am so, so excited to finally share my favorites from Kelsey + Jake’s wedding day with y’all!!!

I’m not going to lie, I’m pretty obsessed with Kelsey’s shoes!!

Love this next shot on the right that Megs took off the bridesmaids’ bouquets!!

When one of Kelsey’s bridesmaids asked right at the beginning of the day if we could make sure to take some laughing photos, I knew I was going to love this group!  😉

This next shot is one of my all-time fave putting-on-the-shoes shots and I knew right away that it had to live in black + white!

I love all of these shots of Kelsey with her girls, but I’m especially fond of this next one!

Loved Megan’s angle of Kelsey’s bridal portraits (below)!!

Kelsey and Jake got ready at an AirBnB that they had rented the night before the wedding (with their bridal party!) but we travelled to the Hahn Horticulture Gardens for their first look!  I love this next shot of Megan’s just before Jake turned around!

I know these two hoped they could make it through the day without crying, but they didn’t stand a chance during this sweet first look!

It’s no secret that bride + groom portraits are my favorite part of the wedding day – I mean, the bride + groom ARE the reason for the day in the first place!! – and Kelsey + Jake’s portrait time was no exception!  I had the hardest time choosing favorites for the blog!

I’m kind of obsessed with his next shot of Megan’s on the left!

These two were such good twirlers at their engagement session last summer, and they didn’t disappoint me on their wedding day!  I love the sweet twirling shots we got!!

GAH!  Loved these florals by Flower Haven!

I’m also obsessed with both of these next two shots – Kelsey, you are stunning, girl!!!

This bridal party was so fabulous for me!!!  (Also, how classy do they look with the girls’ full-length black gowns and the boys’ classic black tuxedos?!?)

Love, love, love this next shot of the boys.

Fave shot of the girls!!!

these. flowersss.

I loved how Kelsey’s vision for the reception space turned out – so classy + elegant!!

We snuck in a few extra bride + groom portraits right after the ceremony ended, and also right after their first dance and dinner, so we could take advantage of every last bit of daylight!  Earlier in the day, the forecast was showing a high chance of rain, so we weren’t even sure we would get this extra portrait time but I’m SO glad we did!!!  I love the variety of bride + groom portraits these two have!

GAH, this next one.  FAAAVE.

Their friends and family gave some of the best toasts during the last few minutes of daylight, and then it was party time!

Kelsey, Jake, thank you for inviting me into this last year of your lives.  It has been such a pleasure getting to know y’all and getting to be part of this season with you.  I love being your photographer!!  🙂  I hope these images bring back the very best memories from your wedding day!

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So many thank you’s to the incredible team of vendors who created such a beautiful day for the new Mr + Mrs Hinson!

venue | Hahn Horticulture Gardens at Virginia Tech

florals | Flower Haven

hair | Melinda of CharMarie Salon

bridal gown | David’s Bridal

bridesmaid gowns | Lulu’s

groom + groomsmen suits | Jos. A. Banks

invites | Zazzle

cake + sweets | Mockingbird Cafe