One of my favorite parts of the wedding day is getting to capture the bride and groom! This is the time where it’s just the three of us (well 4 of us if you count the second photographer… okay sometimes 5 or 6 of us depending on if there is a video team…) I digress…  it’s the time where I get to capture the love of the bride and groom at their venue or portrait location. I’ll save explaining portrait location choice for another blog post (sound like a plan?). Today’s post is a collection of my favorite shots from 2017 bride and groom portrait time. Before we get started, let’s do a little recap of some wedding stats from 2017.

16 couples had a Virginia Wedding

5 out of state weddings (Incl: 1 NC, 3 MD, 1 GA)

11 First Looks

15 Indoor Receptions

6 Outdoor Receptions (1 wedding had NO tent!)

10 Outdoor Ceremonies

11 Church or Indoor Ceremonies

6 couples had rain at some point on their wedding day

Biggest Bridal Party = 19 (7 Groomsmen, 12 bridesmaids)

Most popular venue types: Manor/Historic Home and Hotels

Let’s dive right into my favorite portraits of 2017 (complete with more commentary of course! Is it even a BDphotos blog if I don’t give my 2 cents about everything? nah)

CALLIE & JOHN | GEORGE WASHINGTON HOTEL | WINCHESTER, VA

 

I know this doesn’t look like the George Washington Hotel… that’s because it isn’t! Callie and John shared their first look on the steps of John Handley High School… since when do HIGH SCHOOLS look like that?!

MORGAN & STEVE | BRITTLAND ESTATES | CHESTERTOWN, MD

Had to include Laila into some shots! I’m a sucker for brick and ivy and wrought iron! The wind was picking up and I swear Morgan’s veil could have blown off her head!

CLAIRE & DEREK | CELEBRATIONS AT THE BAY | PASADENA, MD It started POURING rain at Claire & Derek’s wedding so we had to be quick for portraits! They were such good sports about it! We ended up finishing up underneath an overhang but went inside shortly after because it was so windy and raining sideways! Had to include these goofy shots with the bridal party! Candids are some of my favorites too!

LIBBY & NICK | QUIRK HOTEL WEDDING | RICHMOND, VA

I have a lot of favorites from Libby and Nick’s Quirk Hotel wedding because she allotted so much time for portraits because that was what she wanted most! We had 2 hours! We shot in the lobby, out front, and on the rooftop before and after the ceremony!

Lovin’ those high ceilings! I love this moment in black and white!

ALLI & ANDREAS | WHITEHALL ESTATE | BLUEMONT, VA

Alli and Andreas had a brunch wedding! We took photos after the ceremony and then again after the wedding was over!

How cute is this swing!? I loved the low branches of this tree! We took these photos after the wedding reception had ended around 4:45pm!

KATIE & JONOTHAN | IRVINE ESTATE| LEXINGTON, VA

My favorite shot of Katie & Jonothan!!

RACHEL & DEX | RIVERSIDE ON THE POTOMAC | LEESBURG, VA

I like this perspective that shows the old car and the house in the background!

Ahhh – golden hour! I think this is my favorite shot!

NATALIE & ANDREW | WALKER’S OVERLOOK | WALKERSVILLE, MD

Love this one! Did a little experimenting through the trees at golden hour!

LESLIE & KEVIN | RESTON HYATT | RESTON, VA

I love this shot of Leslie and Kevin in the deserted street!

JESSICA & MATT | ROSEMONT MANOR | BERRYVILLE, VA

Sunny and bright, no problem!
Had to get the manor in the background! Caught a tiny bit of golden light before it disappeared!

RACHEL & ADAM | JOHN MARSHALL BALLROOMS | RICHMOND, VA

I know this isn’t “technically” portrait time but I love this shot of Rachel’s reaction during the first look! Classic!!!! ELIZABETH & WILL | ELKINGTON |EASTVILLE, VA LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! I spy a cute boxwood wreath on the door…. I know… not the point of the photo, but still. Favorite!! Gotta love a bride and groom who like to be a little silly! This was neat! We recreated a family wedding portrait for this shot!

MEG & ZACH | ROLLING HILL FARMS | MONROE, NC

That arch tho! Love this classic shot! Yessss golden hour! I love these two!Of course this photo was the talk of the wedding… cows showed up!

DANNI & JON | THE TIDES INN | IRVINGTON, VA

My favorite part about this is Danni’s full smile! oooh! The light and the trees! Had to get some shots on the dock!
KELLY AND SANDERS | OATLANDS HISTORIC HOME & GARDENS | LEESBURG, VA

Had to include a shot with Bowie! Love this shot in black and white! Probably my favorite!

KRISTEN & ELLIOT | PIEDMONT COUNTRY CLUB | HAYMARKET, VA

Even though this photo looks gorgeous in golden hour… I also loved it in black and white!

EMILIE & BRIAN | OMNI HOTEL | RICHMOND, VA

One of my favorite shots!

This shot reminds me of the columns from Callie and John’s wedding in Winchester! Had to recreate a photo from their engagement session!! Most of my normal backgrounds include trees or open spaces… it was so cool to shoot in an urban setting for Emilie and Brian’s wedding! CAILIN & SHAZAN | WESTFIELDS GOLF CLUB | CLIFTON, VA

We had the best light for Cailin and Shazan’s bride and groom portraits! These two were total naturals in front of the camera!

KATHRYN & JASON | RUST MANOR HOUSE | LEESBURG, VA

It was literally the coldest day ever and Kathryn and Jason stood outside for family, bridal party, and bride and groom portraits for like 45 minutes! They were total champions!

SARAH & JAMES | ATLANTA HISTORY CENTER | ATLANTA, GA

In love with the Swan House as our backdrop for Sarah and James’ portraits! Happiness!

That’s a wrap! Thank you so much for each and every one of these 21 couples who hired me for their wedding days! I can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store. If you didn’t see the other 2017 recap posts – tune in for Wedding Details and Engagements & Couples!