Fairytale Inspired Richmond Intimate Wedding | Richmond Intimate Wedding Photographer
After five and a half years, Kyla and Arthur finally tied the knot under the sunshine and cool breeze of the Osbourne Park Gazebo! Due to safety concerns, they decided to scale down their day to an intimate ceremony with just their families present.
Nothing embodies the reason I love weddings more than watching the set up for intimate ceremonies. I’ve always thought that the, “hustle and bustle,” that comes with planning a wedding was always so interesting. There always seemed to be stress associated with a wedding, and getting everything just right. However, it isn’t a selfish stress, or a performative stress. It’s an inherently thoughtful stress, or stress brought about from the care one has for the couple. Ultimately, what the cake or flowers look like at the end of the day isn’t the important part. It’s that there IS a cake, or that there ARE flowers, because we’ve decided they are important. It’s not that a couple needs an elaborate party to validate their love, but that their friends and family want to celebrate them.
I couldn’t help but think about this as I watched Kyla and Arthur’s family busily prepare the decorations for their ceremony. Instead of relaxing with some Netflix at home, everyone was out in the sun rushing flowers back and forth. And instead of asking Kyla or Arthur to help, they were banished from the set up area! I remember sitting down with Kyla to go over her timeline, and she mentioned that she wasn’t allowed to help with the setup, “for some reason.” Why? Because after years of serving and loving on everyone they know, all of their loved ones desperately wanted to return the favor.
I met Kyla many years ago while working at summer camp! I’m pretty sure that we were best friends by the end of our first shift together. We’ve been two peas in a pod planning crafts, geeking out over our fandoms, and getting entirely too into every theme day possible ever since! I don’t think I’ve ever met someone with so many shared interests, and such a similar brand of ADHD *uniqueness*. She loves her friends and family with such a passion, and has the biggest servant’s heart. No matter what, she is always there to listen, bring a smile, or brighten the day in any way she can (often at the expense of her own sleep cycle!). Over the years I’ve watched her pour into everyone around her, including every bug and little critter she rescues and brings outside.
Back in 2016, Kyla was also working at her home away from home, the Richmond bar Fallout. Here, she met Arthur, and a beautiful friendship blossomed into a relationship of laughter. In between shifts at their many jobs, they love playing DnD, lightsaber battles, opening day trips to the movies, and embracing every aspect of their nerd selves. I’ve watched Arthur love on Kyla over the years, and how immensely happy they make each other! They love each other endlessly, and love their friends and family just as much. Now, it was time for everyone else to love and serve them. As Kyla and her father walked down the aisle to, “Concerning Hobbits,” and, “Storybook Love,” there wasn’t a dry eye in sight! Kyla and Arthur’s officiant, Melissa, lead them through a beautifully unique ceremony. Finally, after years of the most beautiful friendship, Kyla and Arthur were finally announced Mr. and Mrs. Hart!
I may have been able to stifle the tears on the day of, but I can’t look through this sneak peek (or write this post!) without tearing up. Arthur and Kyla are two of the most beautiful, kind, and caring people I’ve had the blessing to meet, and I’m just beyond happy for them! Congratulations again you two, and I wish you endless years of happy marriage!
Venue: Osbourne Landing Park
Wedding Dress: Diversity Thrift, http://diversityrichmond.org/
Officiant: Melissa Dawn Dunn
