I've been so lucky this wedding season. My brides have invited me to some of the most gorgeous venues I have ever seen. But some of them have also invited me into the comforts of their family home and with people they cherish. That was the case with Shelby and Jeff. 

Their wedding took place at a church only a few miles from Shelby's mother's home in Powhatan. Shelby got ready in her mom's home, while the groom and groomsmen readied at the church parsonage. After exchanging their vows, their close family and friends headed back to a tent on her moms property for a fun filled reception. 

I can't describe quite what's it like getting to know these couples. Some of them - we seem to flutter in and out of each other's lives - while others, I leave at the end of each of our encounters feeling like I just spent time with good friends. That's how I have felt after Shelby and Jeff's engagement session, after Shelby's bridals and meeting her mom for the first time, and after their wonderful wedding and meeting their friends and family. 

I see so many things at the weddings that I am invited to. But what warms my heart are when I see how much the couple is truly loved by every single person who has joined them on this once-in-a-lifetime day. At the end of Shelby & Jeff's ceremony every guest joined the couple in front of the church for one large group photo. That's incredible. Shelby + Jeff are incredible! I hope the photos from their wedding day are some that they will truly cherish forever.