Kristin and Lindsay Wedding | Charlottesville LGBT Wedding

I’m looking back on Kristin and Lindsay’s wedding at Lydia Mountain Lodge, near Charlottesville, and there were so many memorable moments, it’s hard to know where to start.  First of all, they had a bounce house for the many kids at their wedding- that was one of the first things they mentioned when I had my first phone call with them - they wanted the kids to have fun.   It was a destination wedding for everyone, and they all stayed in cabins on site at Lydia Mountain.

Lindsay and Kristin told me they never had any grand visions of how their wedding day would be, they just wanted everyone to have a great time hanging out.  They didn’t care  too much about all of those cliche wedding photos you see- close-up shots of rings, dresses hanging by themselves on a tree…they cared about documenting the people and the day as it unfolded, and capturing all of the fun.

Snubbing tradition, Lindsay and Kristin got ready together, in their rustic cabin.  They normally don’t wear any makeup…but wanted to wear a small amount of makeup for the occasion.  Endearingly, they tried to decipher some makeup instructions they had found on the internet - what goes on first- BB cream, CC Cream, or Foundation?…  and followed them step by step, stopping every once in a while to pick up a walkie talkie to joke around with other guests on the premises.  This whole process was extremely adorable.  

After they each were suited up, and looking super fly, we headed out for some pre-ceremony portraits.

One thing Charlottesville area weddings do well are ceremonies with Blue Ridge Mountain backdrops, and this venue did not disappoint in that respect.  If I’m not mistaken, Lindsay and Kristin walked each other down the aisle, to the epic strains of the JURASSIC PARK THEME SONG.  (Also, their reception dinner tables were named after different dinosaurs.)

After the ceremony, the party got started, and the camp fire was blazing outside the barn reception room.  The kids were having a ball…marshmallows were roasted, toasts were made…I witnessed an impromptu taste test performed between the classic canned beer brands Modelo, Busch and Miller Lite…   As the night went on, inexplicably…a NARWHAL showed up in costume, the brides SHOTGUNNED a beer and there was a RAUCOUS singalong to none other than CELINE DION.   So, yes, people, this was a wedding I will never forget.  Cheers to you, Kristin and Lindsay, for the good times and good stories!!!  

Thanks to the Vendors:

Day-of planning by Emerald Events by Nilsa

DJ: Rhythm of Love

Lexie & Emily | LGBT Engagement Photographer

Lexie and Emily chose Charlottesville, Virginia’s unique IX Art Park for their engagement photos.  I knew we would have fun there since there is so much to explore in the way of weird, wonderful public art.  There are some park-like areas with long natural plantings and grasses, and some urban looking areas with giant murals and interactive sculptures.  There’s a big wall there saying “Before I Die I want to….” and below that, lots of lines and chalk for people to write their hopes and dreams.  Each time I visit IX, I love to see what the latest visitors have written on those lines.  I thought it would be a great ice breaker to start the session with Lexie and Emily writing out 3 things that they wanted to do before they die- I told them to pick one thing they want to do for themselves, one thing they want to do for the other, and one thing they want to do together.  You can see what they wrote in the pictures below!  

These two were so fun and easy to work with.  They were super comfortable and relaxed, and a little bit giddy!  They were always being funny and making each other laugh, and always smiling!   They got engaged at Disneyworld, and they brought some Magic Kingdom and Epcot mugs they bought there which we played around with at one point in the shoot.  

When Lexie and Emily first contacted me about doing a fall engagement shoot, they asked if I was LGBT-friendly.  And I replied “Of course I am!  (And I hate the fact that you have to ask me that question at all.)”  For the record, in case anyone wants to know, I love lesbians, gay men, bisexual people, transgender people, and I love cisgender people too.  I love all people.  Everyone must be true to themselves!  And Love is Love.  I’m a big supporter of Marriage Equality.  It was a very happy and historic day last year when gay marriage became legal in all 50 states.   And now amazing, joyful, devoted couples like Lexie and Emily can be legally married to match the commitment they have already made in their hearts.