Sometimes finding the perfect spot for an engagement session is a bit like a little word association game. I say “Richmond” and you say “historic”. I say “fun” and you say “water”. Of course, your answers certainly vary but when we went through all the things that Kate and Ulf were thinking I got the following: classic Richmond, water, our dog, Tredegar. So, what are we to do? Starting at the studio, down we went to some of the best parts of this wonderful city walking along the canal, traipsing through Shockoe Bottom, and ending up at their eventual ceremony site, the Tredegar museum. Having only chatted with them over the phone, I was so thrilled to find out that no only were they fun and relaxing to talk with, but they were perfect subjects. Thank you Kate and Ulf for making a job I already love that much easier. Enjoy!
Hey folks and hope you’re enjoying the holiday season thus far. We’re about to put some great stuff up on the blog including wonderful news for us here at Don Mears Photography, but first I wanted to share one of the best room designs we’ve seen in a while. You’re seeing the combined efforts of The Jefferson Hotel, Blue Steel Lighting and Design, Mosaic Edibles, and LK Events and Design. Really, truly, it’s a great thing to be able to work through all the wonderful moments of a wedding reception with this kind of artistry as your backdrop. Next up, a quick engagement session, Corey (the bride that belongs to the reception featured here) in all her bridal splendor, and then a big, big announcement!
As we get in to the thick of our fall season here on the blog, we visit a town we haven’t been to in some time and one that I have loved since I was a kid. Sarah and TJ chose Williamsburg as the town for their ceremony and reception. I’ve traveled quite a bit around the country and can say with some certainty that there’s nothing quite like the combination of history, small town charm and elegance that exists here. Williamsburg United Methodist is a lovely church, sitting right on the main street through the William and Mary Campus, and was their choice of ceremony locations. For the reception, however, they chose the somewhat tucked away charmer of a resort called the Williamsburg Inn. From the intimate ballroom to the expansive gaming fields near the golf course, the Inn exudes the Colonial charm that you can’t miss as you walk anywhere in this area. As I went through the days images, I really found I loved the contrast between Sarah’s and TJ’s obvious good natures and humor and the manicured grace of the Inn. If you were walking by the Inn, you wouldn’t have guessed such a fantastic party was going on just feet away.
All our thanks to the Latimer and Tondorf families for treating us like one of their own for the day. Enjoy!
Katie and Adam, how did the time get away from us? The time between meeting you, to a snowy/rainy engagement session, to your beautiful riverfront wedding seemed to pass by so quickly. Thank you for being such a laugh and making our jobs that much easier. Congratulations to you both and we’ll see you soon!
As the blog to roll in the craziness that is the fall wedding season, we close out September with the first of two events, the wedding of Joy and Chris held at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church. Through their engagement session and Joy’s bridal shoot, I have come to absolutely adore this couple. The conversation just seemed to flow as we moved from shoot to shoot, and continued on in to the wedding day. Surrounded by friends and family, these two just never stopped smiling and you could tell the effect they had on everyone around them. Definitely check out their little couples shoot at the end of the evening as they retired to the Jefferson as a newly married couple. Think they have a little bit of a theatrical side? I love it.
Enjoy.
Ahh…now it’s time to bring the whole event to the public. This was our first venture in to the Historic Tredegar for wedding event despite having shot many sessions there in the past. We’re so glad we got to do it with Samantha and Duncan. The ever lovely Cannon Chapel at the University of Richmond is where we started the day, followed by a little photographic tour of campus. Seriously, if you’re ever in Richmond you have to tour the grounds of this beautiful university. Then we were off to a classic part of Richmond’s history and a gem in its collection of riverfront attractions. The Tredegar Iron Works make a fantastic venue, but the way this wedding was appointed with various lighting arrangements, tent decorations, and table displays was just fantastic. Samantha and Duncan, your families, your friends…everyone was fun, funny, and great to work with. Thank you for making us a part of it all.
Now, Laura has long been an Owen now and it’s been almost a year since their wedding. The story of the bridal portrait goes back even further, however, and I’m so glad that we remembered to bring this one up to see the light of day. We first spoke with Laura over two years ago as she was planning a fast-track wedding before Keegan was resettled in the West for his Air Force training. Well, things happened here and there, wedding dates changed back and forth, and we simply never got around to sharing this lovely fall bridal portrait at a family farm in Midlothian. An early happy anniversary is in order for these two and here’s a beautiful bride and her first of two wedding dresses (a different story entirely!).
Enjoy.
Ceremony – Cannon Chapel at the University of Richmond
Reception – Historic Tredegar Iron Works
Coordination and Planning: Events by Elizabeth Palmer
Catering – Mosaic Edibles
Rentals: Rent-E-Quip and Classic Party Rentals
Florist: Tommy’s Garden
Cake: Cake’s by Graham
Band: Heartbeat of Soul
Hair and Makeup: Catie Starr
We’re zooming along trying to get this post online for poor Amanda. It seems we sent her the link to the entire slideshow of her wedding only to find out she can’t view it at work!!! So, what are we to do but give her an even better peak at the entire wedding day. You out there in viewer land can certainly go view the slideshow here: http://www.donmearsphotography.com/willis-gupta.
You can also stay right here and enjoy the abbreviated version. Either way, we’re all here for Amanda! Oh, and Eric, however I’m sure he’s here for her, too.
So sit back, relax, and take in the sights of downtown Richmond and the intimate garden courtyard of the Valentine Museum of Richmond, the very energetic crowd, and the lovely couple.
Enjoy!!
Ceremony and Reception: The Valentine Richmond History Center
Event Planning and Design: Love Birds Events
Lighting: Blue Steel Lighting
Caterer: Groovin’ Gourmets
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Florist: Vogue Flowers
Cake Artist: Williams Bakery
Entertainment: Scratch DJs
Hair and Make-up: Mango Salon
Dress Designer: Angel Sanchez
Shoes: Badgely Mischka
Rings: Frank Pollack and Sons
