A Fall Wedding with Rustic Themes | Richmond Wedding Photographer
Lauren and AJ had their rustic wedding at the Granary at Valley Pike this weekend! Their venue in Weyers Cave, Va had the most stunning views! When I arrived, everyone was busy getting all the beautiful decorations set up, and having a blast getting ready. I met with AJ just before his first look with Lauren, and he couldn’t help but express how nervous and excited he was! Lauren and AJ met as summer camp counselors in 2014 at Camp Hanover in Mechanicsville, Virginia and soon started dating. Back in October of last year, AJ finally popped the question in an adorable way! After all this time, Lauren and AJ were finally getting married!
Lauren and her bridesmaids were enjoying some champagne and laughs as they all got ready. One of the coolest things about the bridesmaid’s dresses were, of course, that they had pockets!! They were so excited to show off their pockets, and I just the love the immense joy that comes when realizing that a dress has pockets. When it was time for Lauren to get into her dress, her bridesmaids were just giddy over gorgeous she looked! Her dress fit her like a glove, and and had the most elegant back. Her mom, Sherrie, immediately teared up at the sight.
Wedding days are always emotional and filled with some tears, but this one was especially touching. Lauren’s father, Brent, passed away last year. Though he was unable to to attend Lauren’s wedding day, they made sure to include him in as many ways as they could. Lauren wanted a photo of her holding a photo of her dad in her dress, and it was a special moment. Brent had a love for John Mayer, and one of Lauren’s bridesmaids played a John Mayer song while we took some photos with Brent’s picture. It was a beautiful moment filled with bittersweet tears, and celebration of the special day that they were all together for.
After Lauren and AJ shared their first look, it was time for the ceremony! Lauren was walked down the aisle by Sherrie and her grandmother, Shelvy, to AJ with a beaming smile. Their ceremony was filled with readings from the bible, and a unique foot washing ceremony. For those that haven’t seen this done before, the feet washing ceremony is a Christian-based tradition. It is representative of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples in John 13:1-17, as a beautiful symbol of love and humility. After sharing their vows and exchanging their rings, Lauren and AJ were finally Mr. and Mrs. Nwoko!
Their reception was full of love and laughter, and the most adorable first dance! Family members shared bittersweet toasts, as they reminisced over how much Brent loved AJ. Everyone was so excited for the new family members they now had, and getting to celebrate this moment together. After all of the toasts, guests danced the night away and enjoyed the Smore’s bar outside! The night ended with AJ and Lauren’s final dance, and a sparkler exit.
Congratulations again you two, and I hope you are enjoying the first few days of being married!!
Wedding Vendors:
Dress: Willowby Arie, purchased from Bridal Elegance –https://www.bridaleleganceofva.com/ , bridaleleganceofva@gmail.com
Florist: bloomsbythebox.com
Venue: The Granary at Valley Pike Farm Market – hello@thegranaryatvalleypike.com, thegranaryatvalleypike.com,
Wedding Coordinator: Andrea Perkins, 804-332-0682
DJ/ Entertainment Services: DJ Adonis – https://www.eventsbyadonis.com/
Videographer: Nowadayz Productions – terrell@nowadayzprod.com, https://www.nowadayzproductions.com/
Catering: Hurseys Catering – https://www.hurseysbarbecue.com/Catering.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
