Magical doesn't even begin to describe Christine and Jon's wedding day. From the perfect weather to the gorgeous scenery, it was like being in a dream. Their style was amplified by their stunning location at Riverside on the Potomac in Leesburg, Virginia. When Shawn and I pulled up we were immediately in awe. Since the venue was a bit away from the road, there are some spectacular views everywhere. Clear skies and perfect weather were ideal for the ceremony on the edge of a lovely pond. Wide open fields, a large rustic barn, and a mountain off in the distance spoiled us. The dress by Anjolique Bridal and flowers from Affordable Arrangements captured the grace of the venue. Even smaller features the location has like an antique car, flower bed, and horses next door gave us plenty of spots for pictures. Later in the evening, everyone was treated to vibrant colors that lit up the clouds in the sky. It was all definitely a sight to behold that left Shawn and me a little breathless at times. Christine and Jon are amazing, and not just for their skill in picking the gorgeous Riverside venue. As expected, both of them were nervous but excited. But that didn't keep them from having fun with their friends while getting ready. Their bridal party did their job by keeping the couple (and us) laughing while they prepared for the day. Their officiant, Randy Miller, led a very beautiful ceremony and knot tying. The vows...

When we meet with a couple, one of the questions we ask them is if they are doing a first look. Most of the time, our couples do go for the first look, which we enjoy. It's a great way to get intimate portraits and a sentimental memory. However, not all couple are fans of being that non-traditional. They will often mention how they don't want to see each other, but they still want to do something. That's when Shawn and I suggest what we like to call the "first touch". This option is amazing for the couples that want to have a moment together, but also want to save the big reveal for the aisle. Shawn and I totally understand this option because it's what we did. For those who don't know Shawn, his personality during stressful situations is incredibly calm. It's something I knew I needed when planning our big day. The only problem was that we both did not want to do a first look. So I scoured Pinterest and found a sweet alternative. It allowed us to share a beautiful moment, while still seeing each other for the first time right before our vows. On our chilly, rainy wedding day when everything was going crazy, all I wanted was Shawn. Our first touch was exactly what I needed in order to calm my brain (which was working overtime). I know I've talked about our experience a few times. It's important, though, because it made us...

Now that it's August, it's time for summer days to get longer and hotter. I'm having a terrible time thinking how it could be even hotter than July. But it's definitely possible with how ridiculous the weather has been this year. This season has been undeniably on the warmer side for us. Last weekend, we had Samantha and Tim's wedding happen during the peak of a heat wave. Their wedding was a light bulb moment for Shawn and me on how we handle weddings that are absolute scorchers. The tips that we've been able to pick up over the years have made our ability to manage 100° days in a healthy way. As photographers who prefer to work with natural light, we are constantly running around outside trying to find the best places to shoot. We get sweaty - scratch that - grossly sweaty. It's easy for Shawn and me to forget to drink water, to have a quick snack, and to take a break. While the tips below are primarily for photographers, they can also be helpful to couples or bridal party members looking for smoother photo sessions. A little bit of planning and foresight can prevent a lot of problems down the burning asphalt road. Drink plenty of water Back when I was a kid, I always scoffed when my parents would tell me this. It wasn't until I started running track in high school that I realized: staying hydrated is no joke. Even the smallest...

I know that everyone is probably well aware by now that, back in March, Marlayna and I collaborated with a ton of amazing vendors on a styled shoot. I've been chronicling that journey in a few different blogs, and I absolutely love being able to share all that we learned. I think the most awesome thing about that day was that we did not just get one shoot out of it, but two, thanks to the generosity and hard working vendors that participated in the shoot. Due to their collective effort, our second shoot was featured on a local wedding inspiration blog called Charm City Wed on Monday! Check out the Charm City Wed feature here! We went into March 15th thinking that we were going to have one shoot and that was going to be it, but as the day evolved we realized how awesome our vendor team truly was. Everything during the day could be split into two different sessions from the stunning earrings by Rachel Mulherin, to the delectable food by Copper Kitchen. Items could be combined and separated in order to create two new worlds within a single day. We used the invitations that Pretty Peacock Paperie artfully crafted within the second shoot to add a different look to the rings from St. Johns Jewelers. Nature of Design, the fantastic florist, created two completely different fairytale-esque tablescapes that were so beautiful and unique. Bella Bridesmaids let us borrow six dresses that made each model take on...

I love walking into a bride's getting ready area and feeling the buzz of pure excitement. The environment is full of smiles and laughter, and the best part is that the bride is at ease instead of nervous. Not that there is anything wrong with a nervous bride, but nerves can sometimes lead to stress, and that is the last thing that needs at her wedding. Having already spent some time with Emily and Cal at their engagement session, I knew that their wedding was going to be unbelievably amazing. These two were so ready to be married, and the Overhills Mansion in Catonsville was the perfect setting. My most favorite moment was during their first look when Cal got to see Emily in her gown. He slowly turned, and as his eyes caught glimpses of her, he started moving back in order to take in all of her beauty. It was so romantic and sweet, especially when he had to take a few moments to catch his breath since Emily put him in such a shocked state. It easily made it on my list of the top 5 best reactions, haha! Watching these two and all of their family and friends celebrate almost ten years of their love was something that Shawn and I will never forget. At one point during the speeches, two of Cal's groomsmen delivered a speech together that I don't think left a dry eye in the room. They were so genuinely happy that Cal...