Rachel and Joe did it right. They scouted out an amazing, remote venue and then rented the whole damn place and filled it with their friends and family, creating this awesome homey atmosphere throughout the ranch. Also, there was skeet shooting. Also also, I got to try and I
totally hit the target on my first try. In addition, there was a hand-made chuppah, tasty tasty foods and a warm, beautiful late-summer evening. Wedding win for Rachel and Joe:
Marriott Ranch is this awesome bed and breakfast out in the middle of nowhere (Hume, Va). It is the summer home of the Marriott family (the hotel people, yes) and now turned into a rad getaway place.
So, this was great. Joe invited everybody to come shoot skeet before the wedding things got underway. I had such a great time playing with composition and lighting with the fence posts and the great blue sky. I did, however, miss a big patch of skin on my back with the sunscreen and was in pain for days after.
Yes, this is Joe's grandmother shooting skeet. Awesome!
And here's me! None other than our groom took the photo - even with back-button focus! I'm so proud of hitting the target on the first (and only) try.
I apologize for showing way too many skeet shooting photos. I really like them. It's my blog. And now, onto specifically wedding-related images!
Big thanks, as always, to
Tim for coming out to shoot this one with me. I don't know what Joe's doing here, but I dig it.
I was flipping out over the green greens and blue blues. Such a beautiful day, especially after so many unbearably hot ones.
The light at this wedding was soooooo good.
Look, a funfetti wedding cake!
Rachel and Joe announced the buffet was open - and that hungry people should get up first. She wasn't wasting any time.
There should be more roasting marshmallows at weddings.
At the end of the night, I grabbed Rachel and Joe to do some long-exposure and light-painting stuff. They were game.
Bam.
Congratulations guys!
Rachel and Joe's rockin' vendor team:
Ceremony and reception venue:
Marriott Ranch
Catering:
Marriott Ranch
Musicians: Live keyboard and guitar duo, headlined by Steve Dorman (booked through
Olivera Music Entertainment)
Rachel's lovely dress: Vera Wang from
The Bridal Garden
Bridesmaids' dresses: Ann Taylor
Groom and groomsmen's suits: Jos. A Bank
Florist:
Fiftyflowers.com
Hair:
Blake & Co. salon
As always, Julia did a fantastic job.
Leah and Mike planned plenty of time for me to take them to the barn and back, scooping up all the little scenes and cutesty bits around the property.
We made ample use of this window.
Look at these classy people.
They provided lawn games and snacks for their guests to enjoy before the ceremony...
... while the rest of the folks got ready.
Flower girl down!
Dot, who owns the place, performs the wedding ceremonies.
Leah and Mike really pulled out all the stops for wedding decor. Leah's mom is a florist, so they had some crazy beautiful flowers going on, too.
Julia's shot. I love her.
I'd never seen this before. They played the "shoe game" where the band leader asked them a bunch of questions like "who's the better cook?" and things. They held up the shoe of the person they thought was the winner of the question.
And then Mike had to prove he's the better dancer.
Okay so I totally love Julia but now I'm going to throw her under the bus. I asked for a nice photo incorporating the various dessert plates Leah and Mike had collected, and this is what she gave me. I love it, I really do, but definitely not what I had in mind. Then again, I'm sort of obsessed with showing the structure and behind-the-scenes of weddings. I love photos of the caterers carrying off the cake or if they have to move tables and chairs - showing the bits that are otherwise meant to be hidden. Like a dirty half-eaten dessert able.
Mike has been waiting for this shot for more than a year. I hope he likes it!
Their guests just kept waving the ribbons long after Leah and Mike had run through them.
Congratulations, you guys!
Mike and Leah's hardworking vendor team:
Ceremony and reception venue: Silverbrook Farm
Caterer: Market Salamander
Florist: Lavender Fields
Band: The Bachelor Boys
Dessert spread: Shugar Shugar
Leah's gorgeous and unique dress: Wedding Atelier (NYC)
Mike's dashing tux: Indochino
Hair and makeup: Ammara Rana