A stormy may saturday at the view at bluemont

I LOVE Spring in Virginia, especially in the mountains when the greens are really popping and it feels like everything is in bloom. The funny thing is you can plan for sunshine, you can dream of the perfect golden hour and then without warning the rain rolls in! I get it, no one prays for rain on their wedding day, but sometimes it adds a layer of intimacy and warmth you couldn’t have planned.

Diana and Jason’s wedding at The View at Bluemont was full of the soft greens and blues of their Italian-inspired palette, nods to Diana’s family heritage, and the kind of details that make a wedding feel personal and honest. When I look back at these photos, the thing I remember the most is how much fun it seemed like they had all weekend. These two definitely had to deal with some surprises along the way (a rehearsal dinner venue canceling on them day-of, a storm on their wedding day), but the way their friends and family were there for them every step of the way is what its all about. The fact that their wedding was absolutely stunning was the cherry on top.

the Morning of

Diana and Jason spent their wedding morning in separate houses surrounded by family, friends and littles running around. Their ceremony took place at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, a space full of warm wood, soft light, and tradition, the perfect contrast to the expansive mountain setting waiting for us later in the day. It was beautiful, relaxed, and felt personal to them.

Just as we were about to start family photos outside, the first drops of rain started falling and we moved photos inside. Unsure what the rest of the day had in store, we headed over to the View at Bluemont sooner than later!

The view at bluemont

The view itself is the reason couples fall in love with this venue. When you step onto the patio overlooking the Blue Ridge, it feels expansive and so serene. Even (especially) with storm clouds gathering, the mountains are gorgeous! Deep greens softened by haze, like how I would imagine the Tuscan countryside on a moody day.

By the time we arrived, the sky was looking dark and it seemed like sunset photos probably wouldn’t pan out today, which is okay! We took the sweetest group photos of their closest friends pretty quickly, honestly I think the rush made the whole thing feel less serious and more fun. These are the moments when trust between myself and my couple matters the most. It becomes more important to rely on connection, and a shared understanding that the goal is to tell the story honestly even if we have four minutes instead of forty.

By the time we started photos of just the two of them, we could watch the heaviest part of the rain sweeping over the hills toward us. Diana and Jason were absolute troopers. We stayed on the patio near the overlook, (close enough to run inside if we needed to!) and they ran, twirled, wrapped into each other, laughed, and moved with such ease. They totally weren’t trying to look perfect, they were just being themselves and soaking up the lasts few moments enjoying this view outdoors, just the two of them. It ended up being one of my favorite portrait sequences of the season. There’s something about the energy of beating an incoming storm that translated so beautifully in their photos.

cocktails & a rainstorm

One thing about The View at Bluemont is that it is an incredibly cozy place to sip a cocktail and listen to the rain. The layout feels like a home, with fireplaces filled with candles and small rooms that all connect.

Cocktail hour moved indoors but nothing about it felt cramped. The candlelight, the soft music from their harpist, and the sound of rain against the windows. All of it created this warm, tucked-in atmosphere that felt romantic. Guests settled into little pockets of conversation, drinks in hand, with views of the mountains soaked by rain outside.

This is one of the reasons I recommend this venue to so many couples. Even if you lose the outdoor moments (and the outdoor views are AMAZING), you don’t lose the ambiance. The indoor space has enough character and warmth to carry the whole evening.

cheers!

If you’re planning a View at Bluemont wedding, the reception space is probably the second thing that draws you inside besides the views. Those huge floor-to-ceiling windows mean the mountains stay part of your day long into the evening.

While the storm kept steady outside, toasts filled the room with laughter and tears here and there. Rain poured down the windows and on the roof to create this calm white noise that truly added so much to the vibes. Candlelight flickered against the glass.

italian-inspired touches that Told their Story

One of my favorite parts of this wedding was how naturally the Italian inspiration was woven in throughout the day!

Early in their relationship, Diana and Jason bonded over cooking together (the cutest!) Making pasta and ravioli, finding local Italian restaurants, even their first date was Italian! I love how they brought out their history in such a true-to-them, meaningful kind of way.

Guests found olive oil favors as they entered the party, a cute nod to family heritage and those early date nights. Their table numbers were painted blue and white tiles. The had a build your own pasta bar with alllll of the noodles and fun toppings, and fresh bread was displayed with rosemary, sea salt, and olive oil.

When Diana and Jason told me what they wanted their gallery to feel like (warm, romantic, joyful, and authentic to the energy of the day) these details were exactly what came to mind, because these are little pieces of who they are! I love the idea that they’ll look back at their wedding photos in 30 years and remember their early days and their first date.

working together at The View at Bluemont

If you are a newly engaged couple looking at venues or looking for specific inspiration for The View, I would love to share what I’ve learned photographing here!

This is one of the best mountain views you’ll find in the area. For couples who imagine expansive views as a memorable piece of their wedding day, this venue is an amazing choice.
The light indoors is beautiful, too. The View has large windows, covered porches, and well-lit rooms. It is cozy and intimate without feeling dark. Natural light makes it easy to create warm, effortless images even when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
The space flows really nicely. Whether we’re photographing a full day here, or just a cocktail hour and reception, the spaces feel separate but well-designed. An outdoor ceremony flows beautifully into the first floor for cocktail hour, into the spacious ballroom for your reception. The bar doesn’t block traffic, the layout is intuitive, and it all feels cozy.
Even in the rain, colors pop. If you imagine a day filled with natural greens and blues, The View has both. I think this is a venue that can lean into lots of different styles really effortlessly, it is a space you can make yours.

Diana and Jason trusted me to give them a gallery that felt like the truth of the day, not staged, not overly curated, but full of the joy they feel every day. Days like this one are exactly why I love what I do! Even when a literal storm dumps over your venue, the truth of the day is there are hundreds of meaningful, joy-filled moments happening all around you. You love each other and your people love you, and that is what matters rain or shine.

if you’re planning a wedding at the View at Bluemont

Whether you’re dreaming of a Mediterranean-inspired celebration like Diana and Jason, or something entirely different, the setting offers so much already. The mountains bring that feeling of being way up, somewhere majestic. The indoor spaces bring intimacy and warmth, and a feeling of gathering. The entire property is designed to keep your guests comfortable no matter what.

If you’re looking for a Virginia Wedding Photographer who LOVES this venue and is familiar with the way it photographs, understands how to work quickly when needed, and prioritizes authentic, emotionally driven images no matter what, I love you already.

Your day doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful (sometimes imperfection and little surprises make it even more beautiful!)

to my sweet angels diana & jason

I’m wishing you guys the best and cheering you on, enjoy the rest of your first year married, and thank you for letting me be a little part of your day! I loved every second.