Upper Shirley Vineyard Wedding | Charles City, VA | Courtney + Brian

Upper Shirley Vineyards Wedding | Charles City, VA

We couldn't have asked for a better day for Courtney and Brian's wedding in Richmond with their follow on reception at Upper Shirley Vineyards.  That's the kind of thing you say at the beginning of blog posts, right?  But that's not what I want to write.  I want to write about how special Courtney and Brian are to me... because their story is so much like my own.  You might remember these two from their at home engagement session with their gorgeous Labradoodle.

Both architects - they met at Architecture School and it was only after Brian recommended Courtney for a job at his firm that they started dating.  Perfect in for getting a girl to go out with you, right?  I imagine them hanging out in studio, working side by side through the night, traveling around Europe together completely unaware that someday they would look at one another and see something very different.  Someday, they would see a lifetime in one another's eyes.  It's so strange, time and place, and suddenly this person who was just a friend can become your entire world.  How that person can change your life if you wait for the right moment.  And then that person asks you to move in and get a dog and have babies and be super happy or sad or mad or anything at all if you can just do it together - for ever and ever. 

A couple things that I loved about their wedding day...

- Brian and Courtney were so intentional about the places at which they spent time.  From the hotel, the church, the walk we took together for portraits near the canal downtown Richmond, and the reception at Upper Shirley Vineyards - every backdrop was carefully selected to capture their moments in an artful way that was authentic and unique to them.

- The couple greeted every guest at the vineyard as they arrived.  There was such an outpouring of love and joy and maybe a few tears shed.

A big thank you to Val and Andrea who helped me photograph this wedding at 35 weeks + 1 day pregnant.  A few of their photos are mixed in as well.

And of course, to all the vendors who make this day possible, thank you thank you thank you for serving Courtney and Brian with your awesomeness.

Reception Venue + Catering: Upper Shirley Vineyards
Ceremony Location: St. Peter Catholic Church
Planning/Coordination: CCS Events - Colleen Cook
Make-up Artist: Lou Stevens
Dress: Bijou Bridal
Florals: FloraWorx
DJ/MC: Black Tie Entertainment - Tony Cummings
Getting Ready Location: Courtyard Marriott Downtown Richmond

Check out their gallery over on the Upper Shirley Vineyard Wedding website.