“I absolutely loved photographing this beautiful bride with the bright gorgeous colors that she chose for her outdoor arboretum wedding! The beautiful pinks and navy’s just popped against the rich greens of the grass and trees. And the bright pink parasols were so much fun! This wedding took place in a lush arboretum in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia where the flowers and trees were in full bloom and just breathtaking at this time of year.” – Gayle Driver Photography
“Oh my, this is tough! There were so many wonderful memories! It’s difficult to choose just one. One of my many favorite memories from the day was when Scott and I were introduced at our reception. As we walked down a flight of stairs and made our way to the dance floor, we were able to see all of our wonderful friends and family who were there to help us celebrate our love for each other. The support and love we felt at that moment was definitely unforgettable…
Yes, I truly enjoyed working on projects for the wedding. I am a teacher and had the summer off, so I had time to be crafty. I printed and put together the program fans for the ceremony. I also made the escort cards, table numbers, and multiple signs for decoration. These projects required a little extra time, but I decided that I was willing to devote this extra time rather than paying more for things that I could simply do myself. I, however, cannot imagine working full-time and trying to complete all of these projects. I’m fortunate that I had all summer to work on them!
My Grandma loved to crochet but sadly, she cannot remember how to anymore. The last piece she was able to complete was given to me as a bridal shower gift. I used this piece as my ‘something old’. It was wrapped around my bouquet on my wedding day. My ‘something new’ was my wedding dress and shoes. My ‘something borrowed’ was the lipstick my friend, Anne, gave me to use after she did my makeup for the day. My ‘something blue’ well, that was under the dress :)
Enjoy it! This is the one day in your life that you get to make completely yours! It does get a little overwhelming at times, but try to keep in mind that all of the work you are putting in will be completely worth it in the end. When your wedding day arrives, it is amazing to see how everything that you have been working on during the planning process comes together to create a truly unforgettable day. A good friend of mine gave me some wonderful advice that Scott and I are so glad we took. Make sure during your reception, you and your husband take a minute or two to step back and watch all of your friends and family celebrating your love for each other. It is a wonderful memory to share together and makes all of the time you spent planning your day, well worth it!” -Amy, the bride
photography: Gayle Driver Photography // dress: Casablanca from Bridal Impressions // bridesmaid dresses: Allure from Bridal Impressions // men’s attire: Classic Tuxedo // DJ: National DJ Connection // bakery: Buttercream Dreams, LLC // ceremony flowers: Blakemore’s Flowers // reception flowers: Flowers Galore // venue: Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and Botanical Gardens @ James Madison University // Event Coordinator: Maureen McKenna // hair: Aly Lemasters, Verde Salon // makeup: Anne Whitney Driver // transportation: Custom Transportation // favors: Beau-coup.com
