“Honestly, I’m feeling pretty nervous.” That’s how Paul answered my inquiry as to how he was feeling, just moments away from his First Look with Laura. Although he of course didn’t have any reason to be, Sarah and I know that a lot of our couples begin experiencing those pre-wedding butterflies the moment they wake up on their wedding day. Paul and I were standing in the vestibule of the Haven Church on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall; Paul had is back to the double-doors that led to the sanctuary. I knew that at this very moment, Sarah was standing with an equally-anxious Laura right around the corner, preparing her to see Paul. I knew that in just a few seconds, Laura and Paul’s nervousness would come to an end.

 

Sarah scooted around the corner and got into place, and a few seconds later Paul’s radiant bride stepped around the corner, took the four steps to Paul, and tapped him on his shoulder. As Paul turned around to face his soon-to-be-wife, both of their faces lit up, and both of their shoulders relaxed. In that instant, all of the stress, the worry, the anxiety and the nerves melted away in a single embrace. As Laura teared up and Paul held her tight, we knew that they were already feeling better. They both exhaled – as though for the first time in days – and looked at each other with these huge, radiant smiles. Later that afternoon as Sarah and I walked with Laura and Paul toward their portrait location, we chatted with Laura about how quickly she relaxed after she saw her fiancé. “It’s just that, well… Paul is my rock.”

 

Laura + Paul,

The very first time we met with the two of you together, Paul told us that you shared a vision that your wedding day would be “intimate, low-key, simple, and understated”. Sarah and I still remember how Laura laughed and commented that those four words could describe your relationship just as well as your wedding. That special moment that the four of us shared on Friday morning was certainly a representation of that desire. There were no great exclamations or fireworks to accompany the moment when you beheld each other, but the soft-spoken love shared in that simple action of coming together was certainly something we’ll always remember about your wedding day. We’re so grateful for you, Laura, that we can not only call you a HSP Bridesmaid or even a HSP Bride, but that we can call you and Paul friends!

 

With love,
Hunter and Sarah

 

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A huge thank you to the incredible creative team!

Photography: Hunter and Sarah Photography
Ceremony Venue: The Haven
Reception Venue + Catering: Kardinal Hall
Bride’s Dress: Laura’s Mother’s Dress
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Azazie
Groom + Groomsmen’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Dessert: Red Hub Food Co
Wedding/Engagement Rings: Zales
Wedding Planning: Family Friend, Jacquelyn Ragland
Floral Design: Family Friend, Rebecca Leonard
DJ / Band: Family Friend, Brian Strider
Hair + Makeup: Bridesmaid, Abigail Leonard
Officiant: Phil Gates

 

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If you’d like to learn all about the Hunter and Sarah wedding photography experience, or reach out to us about your own upcoming wedding, head over to our wedding website HERE!