Although Greg & Christine met in North Carolina, while both were undergraduate students at Elon University they chose to have their wedding in the Charlottesville, Virginia area, where Christine spent her years growing up and where her family still lives. King Family Vineyards, just a few miles from her parent's home is where they chose to have their festivities. The day of their wedding, I arrived at the house first where Christine and her bridesmaids were getting ready. This is always one of my most enjoyable things to document on a wedding day. You can always feel the excitement building up as you get closer to ceremony time!
After getting ready we made our way over to King Family Vineyards. Greg and his groomsmen had already arrived so we hid him away, as they planned to do a first look. Once everyone was in place, with Greg outside waiting for Christine and his back turned as she approached him. Before they even did their first look they exchanged love letters, which they read quietly with their backs turned towards one another. And then they turned around to look at one another and it was all the feels!
Their early evening ceremony was held outside overlooking the blue ridge mountains. This is one of my favorite places to photograph a wedding for its views and any time of year as I've photographed weddings every season here. They sure had a beautiful evening for a wedding with prefect weather and a beautiful sunset. During the cocktail hour, which was served to the guests outside on the patio, we finished up the family and wedding party photos.
The reception followed inside the carriage house, which looked amazing with all of the cafe lights strung across the ceiling, the gorgeous flowers, place settings, candles, and the cake and dessert table was over-the-top! The wedding party was introduced by the DJ, with Greg and Christine going right into their first dance. After Christine's dad thanked everyone for being there and a prayer was said, a fabulous meal was served buffet style.
After dinner, Christine and her dad had their dance together and then Greg with his mother. And then the dance floor opened up for all and it was a party! Greg and Christine were surprised out on the dance floor by The Phoenix, the Elon Mascot (he makes appearances at football games, etc.). It was awesome! These two cut their cake and were back out on the dance floor with all of their friends before their final last dance together. At the end of the evening, they departed in a sparker exit and they were on their way to start their honeymoon. They had a such a fun time at their wedding!
It was such a joy working with Christine and Greg, from their engagement session last spring at Elon University to their wedding last summer. When they found out I live just just down the road from Elon & suggested it for their session, they jumped on it. Christine and I are also both from the Charlottesville, VA area so that was another great connection and then being a preferred vendor at King Family Vineyards was an added bonus!
venue - ceremony + reception | King Family Vineyards
officiant | Rev. Greg Gaffney
planning + day-of coordinator | Dear Sweetheart Events
caterer | Dinner at Home
desserts - wedding cake, cupcakes, + mini fruit pies | Cakes by Rachel
floral designer | Floral Designs by Jacquelyn
wedding gown | Ann's Boutique
hair + make-up | A More Beautiful You + Cville Makeup Jeanne Cusick
ceremony + cocktail hour music | friends, Matthew and Julia, on guitar + violin
DJ - reception music | Derek Tobler
rentals | MS Events
transportation | Albemarle Limosine
invitations | Minted
wedding colors | burgundy, navy, and shades of white
signature cocktail | The Pheonix (named after the couple's alma mater mascot at Elon University)
thanks to my assistant/2nd photographer Jenny Viars
all images © Elizabeth Larson Photography | 2017
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