It takes something most don't possess to turn a big ol' field in the middle of the country into a ridiculously beautiful wedding venue. But that's what Kate and Daniel and their families and friends did to the field of their very generous friends. Way out where no one could hear them, they tied the knot, then partied under the big stars. And the cicadas even left them alone, mostly. I'm about to make you jealous you didn't get married here:
We started the day about 40 miles north in Charlottesville.
It was both hilarious and terrifying to photograph Kate's friends putting her contacts in. Kate was, as always, an incredibly good sport about the whole thing, even as she teared up.
We made the trek, then it was time for the bride and groom to see each other.
Kate and Daniel were married on a private residence near the town of Lovingston, Virginia. Their friends graciously lent them use of the house, but everything else occurred on the expansive field in front of the property.
There was even a small lake in the background for us to use as backdrop for portraits.
Kate is one of those epically happy people - always cracking up and giggling. Makes my job easy.
Could they have picked a more beautiful setting and set-up for a wedding? Apparently this incredible wood-planks-and-doorframe ceremony entrance piece came from Craigslist! I mean, seriously, look at this.
Go time.
Kate and her dad had a long way to walk.
The Virginia countryside is a really beautiful place for a wedding.
My kind of detail shot. It was a very windy day, but it helped to cool things off.
Cicada (I think)!
I freakin' love this image - managing to sneak a bit of street into family formals. Truth is, this was probably a happy accident when I was just testing exposure.
Their friend from South Korea couldn't make it, but she sent a life-size cardboard cut-out in her place, which, obviously, is awesome.
Smoking cigars because it's the country and you can do basically anything you want.
The wind prevented my backdrop from going up, but while it was still light out, Nature provided an even better one.
It was a bit too hot to dance much at first, but luckily Kate and Daniel had the forethought to provide cornhole and bocce ball to entertain their guests.
Somebody brought moonshine to the wedding.
Congratulations guys!
Kate and Daniel's vendor team:
Getting ready venue: Sleep Inn, Charlottesville
Ceremony and reception venue: a friend's field
Flowers, decorations, ceremony setup, uncounted pretty things: Daniel's mother and grandmother
Caterer:
The Barbecue Exchange (Kate highly recommends!)
DJ:
Ran Henry
Officiant: Rev. Rachel Cornwell, Woodside United Methodist Church, Silver Spring, MD
Cake:
Chandler's Bakery
Kate's beautiful dress: Ann Taylor
Bridesmaids dresses:
eShakti (love this store - good for lots of non-wedding dresses too.)
I'm an impulsive and independent traveler. Last year, I happened to be in Charlottesville during the festival, and noticed all these photographers everywhere and big photographs hung down the main shopping strip. So I went home and signed up to be part of the next one. Seemed cool enough, didn't cost so much - I'm in. I then proceeded to book a group house, with just myself to fill one of the six sleeping spots. Someone will come, I figured, and they did! I met five very wonderful people in my group house and nobody got robbed or stabbed or anything.
I put myself in situations like this hoping to walk away inspired. It's intimidating hearing from photography greats - who so often tend to be totally blasé about their accomplishments - and for some they get depressed about not being able to achieve. I get inspired to push harder, which is really a nice side effect.
If you travel enough, you learn how to have the best time in the given situation. I know that I do really well when I surround myself with new people and I have a pretty good idea of how to find the right folks to put in front of me (hi new friends!) But then I just need to go out on my own. Fortunately, photography for me is a very solitary thing. I don't work well with others, so I can set out to take some images and have it be completely alone time. Even if I'm photographing people.
(Sorry Nathan.) The used bookstores in town (and there are a freakin' ton of them!) had been pretty well-scavenged for photo books worth picking up.
We stayed at an Airbnb rental with a very nice man named Alp. Here we are riding in the back of his truck while he lets a dog sit up front. As a side note, it's really tricky to take pictures when you're attempting to sit on the wheel bed of a truck. Poor Alexis got quite an eyeful up my skirt.
Spent a few days with this pretty cool cat. Nathan is somebody to contend with!
It was pretty great. I want to put myself in more situations like this in the future. Especially considering LOOK3 isn't coming back next year. Onward!