I’m so pleased to be able to share this beautiful Breaux Vineyard wedding day with you all. On October 26, 2019, I had the honor of second shooting alongside Chelsea Schaefer once again! If you’ll remember, I photographed with her for the first time for Erin + Robert’s wedding at Mount Ida Farm in Charlottesville, VA.
We photographed Kelley + Austin’s gorgeous Breaux Vineyard wedding in Purcellville, VA. And even though the sun was hiding behind a thin, overcast sky, the fall colors reached their peak on this couple’s special day.
Meeting the Bride
We started out the day at Kelley’s childhood home in Maryland. She and her bridesmaids got ready here and popped some champagne to celebrate this joyous occasion.
Meeting Kelley first thing in the afternoon instantly made me so optimistic for the rest of the day. Not only was I excited to photograph this beautiful bride for the next 8 hours, but her bright smile and kind demeanor encouraged me that the rest of the day would go so smoothly. Not to mention, I could already tell from shooting her bridal details she had an eye for beauty, so I was excited to see the rest of what their wedding planning produced.
Meeting the Groom
I was introduced to Austin as he and his groomsmen arrived at the venue. Not long after meeting, I met with him in the groom’s getting ready room, a wine cellar underneath the main building on site.
His groomsmen were all busy fiddling with their ties and buttons when I arrived. One was even working to fix a stitch in his slacks. Austin was especially calm and cool, having a beer with his friends ready to start the day.
I gathered his details to photograph them outside while the guys finished getting dressed. Then I brought them back to start taking Austin’s groom portraits.
I could feel the anticipation building in him as I started clicking away. I suppose something about having the camera around automatically makes everything feel real in a sudden moment.
Dad’s First Look
Kelley looked stunning in her trumpet lace gown. Her mom helped her place the veil in her hair, and with that final detail, she was ready to show her dad.
We walked with them outside to where we placed her father, waiting anxiously. And when he turned and saw her, I distinctly remember hearing his voice escape from him in one breath as he said, “Oh my God!”
Kelley’s mother stood in the distance, tearing up at the sight of her husband and daughter embracing. This is the moment the parents collectively realize, “Our baby girl is getting married.”
The Ceremony
Kelley and Austin shared a “No-Look Prayer,” holding hands around a corner in the reception hall. While Chelsea brilliantly executed this moment for them, I got busy collecting as many reception detail images as I could. Then we both made our way outside again to prepare for the ceremony.
The ceremony was beautiful. All of Kelley’s bridemaids looked so pretty in their wine red, floor length gowns. Austin’s groomsmen were dressed so sharply in their light grey suits, with ties that matched the girls’ dresses.
And the moment Kelley and her father walked out from the main building to approach the ceremony, Austin lost his breath. As they neared the alter, he finally regained composure enough to playfully pretend to cast a fishing line and reel his bride in.
The ceremony progressed beautifully, with poetry and Scripture readings from Kelley’s brother and Austin’s sister. In no time, these two were pronounced husband and wife. The guests erupted at the first kiss! You could really sense the height of celebration as they recessed down the aisle!
Mr. & Mrs. Portraits
On to my favorite portion of the day! Kelley and Austin’s newlywed portraits were coming along so beautifully!
A huge shout out to Chelsea for her amazing posing and composition skills!! She made taking these photos so easy. I just know her images turned out even better than mine, but I hope the ones I captured complimented hers well.
The venue provided so many gorgeous sights to place the newlyweds in! Like I mentioned before, the burnt orange, golden yellows, and fiery reds of the autumn leaves were really showing off that day.
The Reception
The night continued, first with a cocktail hour outdoors, then in a beautifully decorated reception hall, dotted with burgundy florals and gold place settings. Kelley + Austin’s friends and family gathered in this space to eat together and celebrate the couple’s marriage.
Beginning with a lively bridal party entrance, the reception kicked off in the couple’s First Dance. After Austin spun Kelley around the dance floor as his new wife, the Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dances followed.
The speeches given by Kelley’s father, the best man, and the maid of honor were all so touching and heartfelt. Without even knowing this couple well, I felt I did by the end of all their words to the newlyweds.
Their cake was a gorgeous 3-tiered wonder, decorated with florals that matched the color scheme of the entire day and a glittery-gold topper that said “Mr. & Mrs. Fiedler.”
Once the meal was finished, the guests took to the dance floor to party! The night was wrapped up with the traditional bouquet and garter tosses. Truly a perfect end to a beautiful day!
Congratulations Kelley + Austin!! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your special day. I wish you both all the joy and prosperity in the world as you begin your married lives together!
A Breaux Vineyard Wedding
