The Market at Grelen Wedding | Charlottesville, Virginia

The Market at Grelen Wedding | Becca & Jacob

Becca started her morning in Grelen’s getting ready cottage sipping mimosas with her two bridesmaids, childhood friends who grew up together. Jacob, just downstairs in the groom’s suite, sipped on beers and relaxed with his two groomsmen, also dear friends. I always ask my couples, if you could only have 5 photos from your wedding day, what would they be? “Getting ready with our closest people” was one of those for B&J. I love that they chose to celebrate their day with such an intimate but special wedding party. It made their getting ready moments feel so easygoing and sweet. No crazy logistics, no drama, just joy and happiness. I also like to ask my couples which part of their day they are the MOST excited to see photos from – which part are they scrolling to first on gallery delivery day? Becca and Jacob said

“we’re most excited to see photos from some of the more quiet and intimate moments of our day – first looks and getting ready with our closest friends and family”

Becca slipped on her dress, shoes, and the same earrings her mom wore on her wedding day. A piece of her mom’s wedding dress was also made into the cover of Becca’s bouquet. What a special way to honor your parents beautiful marriage. 

One of my favorite parts of the day if I’m being very honest was Becca’s first look with her dad. We had him stand outside the door to the bridal suite where the light was just right and wait for her, and while he waited he said “can’t I just go inside and see my daughter?” Becca came outside just a second later, but that is a sentiment I felt to my core. 

As a photographer who loves to capture the real, the honest, the raw, and stage moments to an absolute minimum, I still find myself putting people in the best light, asking them to turn just so, or adjusting a veil and asking myself, why? Should I be interfering here, or am I taking away from the experience of the actual moment by doing this? Yes, sometimes it is the right time to put my couples in their very best light and guide them through what I’d like them to do to create amazing photos. Sometimes not. Sometimes I think we (wedding photographers) should do a whole lot less and I think we might be pleasantly surprised by the results. Just food for thought and a little insight into my process! It is constantly something I’m asking myself on a wedding day and trying to be intentional about. 

Becca and Jacob got to see each other all dressed up and share a few private moments together (so important to build in time for this on a wedding day). My second photographer and I agreed this was one of the most heartwarming first looks we’d seen all year. I won’t share what Jacob said the moment he saw her, but it was perfect and gave Makenzie and I a good laugh. 

We were able to photograph the family and wedding party before Becca and Jacob’s ceremony at the Market at Grelen, which was set just beside the greenhouse under a tree. It was natural and simple and perfect. The couple exchanged rings, shared their first kiss!! and then went to enjoy cocktail hour with their group photo list completed earlier in the day (I love to recommend couples structure their day this way, don’t miss out on cocktail hour guys!) 

Just before sunset, we hitched a ride through the orchards to the very top of the hill for the best sunset views (one of the perks of having a Market at Grelen Wedding). Newlywed photos looked like frolicking down the hill, enjoying the sunset together from a picnic table, and celebrating their new marriage. 

We returned just in time for Becca and Jacob to dance with their mom and dad and enjoy Grelen’s homemade ice cream! Another perk of having a Market at Grelen Wedding 😉 The two danced into the night and were sent off surrounded by bubbles (their guests took bubble distribution SO seriously and I loved it). It was definitely a day to remember, and it was the biggest honor to be a small part of it and to be able to document this day for them. 

When I asked how Becca and Jacob pictured their final wedding gallery, before their day, they said “family reunion meets summer camp kind of vibes” Didn’t that just make you smile? 🙂 I love that their day turned out exactly the way they envisioned it, and to be honest I can’t think of a better vibe for a summertime Market at Grelen wedding. Cheers to you two, and I’m wishing you a lifetime of even more laughter, incredible sunsets together and homemade ice cream!

“we’re looking for family reunion meets summer camp kind of vibes”

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer in the area or for your Market at Grelen wedding, I’d love to chat! Contact me here