Kamryn & blake celebrated their april wedding day on a beautiful spring day at seven springs

Seven Springs in Manquin, VA feels somehow elegant and cozy - my cottagecore girlies will love it. It is spacious enough to host all of your favorite people, but laid out in a way that makes the day feel intimate. Little pathways nestled between cottage gardens make the space feel like your adorable & stylish grandmother’s backyard.

A Backyard Engagement Session

Before their wedding, I met Kamryn and Blake for an engagement session in their grandparents backyard. If you have access to a meaningful and private space like that, I highly recommend it. Not only does it feel relaxed, but you don’t have to share the space with other couples or feel self-conscious about multiple shoots happening around you. It keeps the focus on you and your story, and it keeps the vibes relaxed.

Getting Ready at Seven Springs

Seven Springs has some of the loveliest getting ready spaces I’ve seen as a Richmond wedding photographer. The girls spent their morning in the Bridal cottage, which feels like this charming little retreat. Kamryn (who is an amazingly talented hair and makeup artist herself) had her own team do her glam, and it was such a fun, relaxed morning with her closest friends and family.

Meanwhile, Blake & the guys got ready in the main house, which has this historic, stately feel that feels totally unique from the bridal cottage. There is a green striped vintage upholstered loveseat that stole my heart. I probably would have taken it home with me if I didn’t care about being allowed back into this venue.

All jokes aside, from a photography perspective it is such a gift to have two separate getting ready spaces that photograph beautifully (I’ve seen some questionable groom suites!). You don’t have to stress about logistics or rides, and the photographs from your wedding morning will be classic and cohesive on both sides.

The Wedding Ceremony

It rained the day before, which made everything green, lush, and dewey in the most beautiful way. King William Florist created this jaw-dropping floral arch, but instead of placing it at the altar, they set it up as the entryway for the processional near the back row of chairs. So every person, including Kamryn, walked through it on the way to their seats. I can’t say enough good things about King William Florist and their dedication to making sure Kamryn was obsessed with her florals. Kamryn, peeking out the window of the bridal suite said they made her floral dreams come true!

The ladies wore light spring blue, the florals were bold and colorful, and Kamryn wore the most elegant off-shoulder lace gown from Urban Set Bride in Richmond. She looked absolutely jaw-droppingly incredible. Since Kamryn and Blake chose not to do a first look, the aisle moment was extra sweet. Blake’s face when he saw her turn the corner and step under the floral arch lives rent free in my head.

Portraits at Seven Springs

Something I love about a Seven Springs wedding is that beautiful natural light is not difficult to find at any time of day, even during that 11-1 harsh light time of day which typically photographers try to avoid. There is so much available shade across the property, which makes it easy to find soft, flattering light for portraits. Whether it’s large wedding party photos or sweet newlywed photos, the grounds give you so many options, open lawns, tree-lined paths, gardens, and little nooks everywhere you turn.

A Celebration Under the Tent

Receptions at Seven Springs happen under a big tent on the lawn, and it feels classic & timeless. A white tent, twinkle lights with the moon in the background, and the cottage as a backdrop, you don’t really have to do much to make it beautiful. Kamryn & Blake filled it with romantic details and spring colors, and their live painter finished their ceremony art for guests to see (which turned out to be such a sweet keepsake!) Their sparkler send-off led them to a bright green classic car. I think a vintage car send-off is so cool and classic, and always will be.

A Few Things That Made Their Day Extra Special

Kamryn wore her mom’s actual wedding dress to the rehearsal dinner, which was such a sweet nod to her parents story.

The buried bourbon tradition, a tradition Seven Springs loves, added such a fun piece to their day! You actually bury a bottle of bourbon a month before the wedding to keep the rain away, and then you dig it up on your wedding day to share with friends and family and cheers to good weather. While it did rain the day before, it cleared up beautifully for their wedding day, so I guess it worked!

The live painter. Seriously, more couples should do this. Guests loved it, and Kamryn & Blake now have an heirloom painting of their day, something tangible you can hold onto and pass down for generations.

Photography Tips for Seven Springs

If you’re planning a wedding here, here are a few things to keep in mind from a photography perspective:

Lean into the cottage charm. The Bridal cottage photographs beautifully, I would absolutely plan to get ready on-site and take bridal portraits here.

Think about color. Seven Springs is very green in spring and summer, which is beautiful and so timeless, but make sure it pairs well with your chosen color palette.

spaces for group photos. I found a few beautiful locations with even light and clean backdrops for those large group photos and family portraits. The lawn in front of the main house, the backyard, and the tree-line behind the venue are amazing and spacious options for timeless group photos.

It Has variety. The property has gardens, paths, open lawn, and historic charm, enough variety that your gallery feels layered and full. During newlywed photos, I would highly recommend just wandering and taking it all in together.

Golden hour is magical. The back lawn and woods glow in the evening, and the light hugs the property in such a magical way. I would highly recommend taking a few minutes during sunset to step out and enjoy it with your photographer!

What I genuinely love about a Seven Springs Wedding

From the separate but well-decorated getting ready spaces, to cottage gardens, to the tented reception lawn, Seven Springs is designed to make your day feel magical.

If you’re searching for a venue that’s historic but not stuffy, colorful but timeless, and full of beautiful spaces that photograph like a dream, a Seven Springs wedding might be the perfect fit.

Kamryn & Blake’s day was such a joy to witness, thank you two for having me there to document your day!