A Rainy Wedding Day
Rain on your wedding day. Even though it’s not quite as “Ironic” as Alannis Morisette might think, it IS considered good luck :). As legend has it, “A knot that’s tied when wet is harder to break.” And, a rainy wedding day (ok a slightly drizzling wedding day) can make for INCREDIBLE light for your photographs. Seriously – cloudy days = lots of gorgeous, beautifully dispersed, even light that us photogs can’t get enough of! So a rainy wedding day may just be exactly what you didn’t know you were looking for ;-).
The morning of Sarah & Erik‘s wedding day was simply stunning – SUPER hot – but beautiful. We were able to capture their details and images of the happy couple (separately!) getting ready before their planned first look. Sarah and Erik opted for a first look in the super adorable garden of their apartment building. But of course, the minute that Erik arrived on the scene, the skies opened up! Instead, they opted for the sweetest first look, right outside the door of their very own apartment. What could be more personal than that? After capturing a few shots on their covered balcony, the rain subsided juuuuuuuusssttt enough for us to take the party down to their garden for a few quick photographs before they were off to the Poe Museum!
The Poe Museum
The Poe Museum is the site of the oldest original building in Richmond. While Poe himself never lived there, the museum is home to one of the largest original collections of his manuscripts, letters, and personal belongings. The stunning interior Gardens feature a shrine to Poe, along with a babbling fountain and gorgeous flowering bushes and trees.
Prepared for the impending rains, the gardens of the Poe Museum were covered by a large tent. But upon our arrival, the skies were still cloudy yet clear! Huzzah! We were able to continue photographing and capturing all the goodness that is the Poe Museum gardens before Sarah and Erik tucked away for their ceremony. And good thing we finished when we did. Because juuuuuuusssttt as it was time for the gorgeous bride to walk down the aisle, the skies opened yet again! It may have rained during the entire ceremony, but Sarah, Erik, and their guests were tucked into the cozy tent, safe and dry and surrounded by love :).
Sarah and Erik’s ceremony featured a ton of beautiful, personalized touches. Their Best Man played guitar as Sarah walked down the aisle. One of their close friend’s presided over the service. And in lieu of a unity candle, the couple – both beer/cider aficionados – combined their favorite beverages and took a sip! The adult beverage referene was also quite fitting as they frequently visit the Poe Museum’s “Unhappy Hour/Happy Hour” together. SO unique!
The VMFA
After the ceremony, buses whisked the guests away to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts for sweet speeches, delicious food, and fabulous fun and dancing. There, guests were able to check out some vintage pictures of Sarah and Erik through the years, sign the happy couple’s “guest book”, a large sketch drawing of the Richmond skyline, and eat cakes and pies prepared especially for the happy couple by Sarah’s cousin!
Sarah and Erik, I have loved loved loved getting to know you both throughout your engagement and wedding. It was such an honor for me to be with you both on your big day and I look forward to seeing where the next 70 years take you :). Thank you thank you thank you and wishing you all the wedded bliss in the world!
Ceremony: The Poe Museum
Reception and Catering: The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Invitations: Zazzle
Officiant: Greg Sidell
DJ: Mark Maskell
Hair and Make up: BRIDEface
Suit Designer: Vince Camuto
