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Willow Britt

Evan & Melissa’s Intimate Smith Mountain Lake Destination Wedding | Roanoke Wedding Photographer

This wedding is just a tiny bit more special than most, because it took place at my favorite place on this planet: Smith Mountain Lake! I was so honored to be an associate second shooter for this Willow Britt Studios couple, Melissa and Evan. (For those of you that don’t yet know, I shoot weddings as a Willow Britt associate in addition to serving my own ENP couples!) When Stacie commissioned me to shoot with my colleague Jeanine for this, I couldn’t say no!

Melissa and Evan held an intimate micro-wedding at an Air-BnB lake house facing the main mountain on the lake. Both are from Florida, and found SML when searching for the perfect place to say “I do” for their destination event. Lucky them that they stumbled across what I believe to be the most beautiful spot in Virginia (but I’m biased)!

Though I live in DC and mostly serve Richmond, Charlottesville, Northern Virginia, and the DMV, I love traveling down to my parents lake house at SML to visit AND work. This is my first wedding on Smith Mountain Lake, and I will also say “I do” not far from where Melissa and Evan did!

That said, I can’t wait to share their images. But I thought I’d also share my wealth of local knowledge for anyone thinking about planning their own wedding at SML!

The Prettiest Views of the Lake

In my opinion, there are very few “ugly” sides of the lake. SML offers gorgeous sunsets on the west side, and peaceful sunrises on the east. But if you’re looking for a specific backdrop in your photos, this tip should help you time your wedding day accordingly.

If you want the famous mountain range in your photos (like Melissa and Evan have), then you will get the best light in the morning! If your venue has a lake shore that allows for mountainous views, later weddings might put the sun right in your face which isn’t ideal for pictures. Melissa and Evan had a morning wedding, which helped them avoid dark under-eye shadows and kept their faces more evenly lit when shooting with the mountain behind them. However, they also had an overcast day which made those blues and greens pop all the more.

But if you’re looking for stunning sunset skies (and I mean breathtaking!) then you’ll want to check out venues whose shores face away from the mountain! I’ll share some of my suggestions on SML wedding venues next.

Smith Mountain Lake Wedding Venues

Smith Mountain Lake has so many great options for hosting your special day. Our wedding day is going to be at Waters Edge Golf and Country Club! We’ll mostly have views at sunset, but I’m getting ready at my parent’s lake house which has more mountain views in the morning. Here are some other options to consider:

  • Waters Edge Golf and Country Club (my wedding venue)
  • Bernard’s Landing
  • Mariner’s Landing (this was my sister’s wedding venue)
  • various Air-BnBs (perfect for micro weddings)
  • Virginia Dare Cruises & Marina

Other venues that are not on the water but within a drivable distance include:

Smith Mountain Lake Wedding Vendors

Lastly, if you need vendors for making your SML wedding perfect, here are all the vendors I am using for my big day!!

  • Kay’s Corner – dress alterations
  • Homestead Creamery – ice cream instead of a wedding cake!
  • Men’s Wearhouse Roanoke – the guys’ suit rentals
  • Antonina’s Floral Design – my bouquet
  • Aztec Rentals – chair rentals
  • Waters Edge Country Club – venue AND catering service
  • Modern Nails – where I’ll be getting my bridal mani-pedi done
  • Eric & Co. – my hair stylist, ask for Nicole — she’s great!
  • C Hope Makeup – my makeup artist, Cassidy is amazing!
  • Top Shelf Events – our wedding day coordinators, Michael Barbour is our lead planner.

Of course there are lots of other great vendors around, but these are the folks I trusted to handle my special day so I felt this was the best vouching I could do.

But if you need more convincing to hold a wedding at SML, I’ll let Melissa and Evan’s images do their magic!

Gorgeous Smith Mountain Lake wedding venues and vendors
Gorgeous Smith Mountain Lake wedding venues and vendors
Gorgeous Smith Mountain Lake wedding venues and vendors
Gorgeous Smith Mountain Lake wedding venues and vendors
Gorgeous Smith Mountain Lake wedding venues and vendors
Gorgeous Smith Mountain Lake wedding venues and vendors

If you’re sold on a Smith Mountain Lake wedding, but want photos like this, let’s talk! I would LOVE to work with you, and because SML is a home away from home for me, I won’t even need to charge for lodging. Let’s make your special day here even more perfect, together! Contact me.

For more of my work with Willow Britt Studios, check out this engagement session with another WB couple, Rylie and Don! Or if you’d like to see work with my ENP Couples, check out some recent sessions/weddings below:

Looking for inspiration to help you plan your Smith Mountain Lake wedding?

In this post, I'm gushing over Melissa and Evan's wedding day in the area where I basically grew up -- Smith Mountain Lake! Learn all about:

1. What time of day gives the best light for wedding photos with the mountain side of the lake.
2. Learn what wedding venues are available right on the water. 
3. See a list of my favorite local wedding vendors near the lake!

Check out my work from this Smith Mountain Lake wedding on the blog. #roanokeweddingphotographer

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Every detail of the Madelyn Tenney Events Spring Design Showcase 2025 was pure magic. As an Atlanta wedding photographer, I had the joy of being invited to capture not only the beautifully curated spaces but also the intimate behind-the-scenes moments that made this spring showcase possible. From lush florals to elegant table settings, the event was a treasure trove of spring wedding inspiration for brides dreaming up their perfect day.

Hosted at Nova Studio in the heart of Atlanta, this carefully crafted experience was designed to set the tone for the upcoming wedding season—and it did not disappoint.

Spring Wedding Inspiration for Modern Southern Brides

The design vision for the showcase–Prima Flora–embraced soft pastels, delicate textures, and fresh seasonal styling. Think romantic blush tones, textured linens, and floral-forward installations. Madelyn and her talented team created a setting that felt simultaneously elevated and welcoming. It was truly a perfect exhibition of what sophisticated spring weddings can be in Georgia.

As I arrived early to document the event setup, I was able to photograph the team in their element: adjusting linens, styling stationery, and rehearsing the layout one last time. These behind-the-scenes moments revealed just how much heart went into this event. It’s easy to see why so many brides trust Madelyn Tenney Events to bring their dream weddings to life.

Behind the Scenes with Madelyn Tenney Events

Before the doors opened, I had the privilege of capturing team headshots for the women behind Madelyn Tenney Events. Their energy, collaboration, and vision made it clear this wasn’t just a design showcase—it was a heartfelt celebration of creativity and community.

The environment was buzzing with excitement as florists arranged final stems and vendors fluffed the final cushions. The team’s chemistry was undeniable, and it translated directly into the seamless flow of the event itself.

The Madelyn Tenney Events Spring Design Showcase

At the heart of the showcase were the intentional design vignettes. Each space told a story, offering spring wedding inspiration tailored for modern Southern brides. One standout element was a centerpiece floral installation by Marigo Flowers, assisted by Pollen Floral Company. It floated above a table layered with blush-toned linens from BBJ La Tavola, catching the light beautifully throughout the afternoon.

An eye-catching ice sculpture by Ice Sculpture Inc. ATL added a playful, elevated touch to the scene, while live entertainment from Jewel the Ballerina captivated attendees with ethereal movement, bringing life to the experience. Glasswing Rentals curated tableware that sparkled under the natural light of Nova Studio, and JC Rental Collective and Party Bound contributed pieces that gave each setup personality and polish.

Why This Event Matters for Atlanta Brides

If you’re a bride planning a wedding in Atlanta, Savannah, or North Georgia looking for fresh spring wedding inspiration, events like this one are invaluable. They don’t just showcase trends—they display the talent of local, trustworthy vendors who are passionate about what they do.

Every vendor at this showcase brought their A-game. Seeing each one’s work in person—and getting to document it as a film-inspired wedding photographer—was such an honor.

What I Loved Most as an Atlanta Wedding Photographer

Photographing this spring wedding inspiration at Nova Studio was a dream. The soft filtered light made the colors pop in a way that felt timeless and true-to-color. My goal is always to deliver film-inspired wedding photos that feel both editorial and authentic. The setting created by Madelyn Tenney Events was ideal for that.

Being trusted to document the designs and the passion behind them—team portraits, set-up, genuine laughter—reminds me why I love this work. These are the moments that couples don’t always see. These are the images that reveal the effort, energy, and heart poured into a couple’s day long before they say I do.

Want more from this amazing showcase? The full gallery is available for your viewing and inspiration!

If you’re planning a spring wedding in Georgia, take this as your sign: romantic color palettes, thoughtful texture layering, intentional florals, and a dream team of vendors are always a winning combination. And if you’re looking for a light and airy wedding photographer, I’d be honored to capture it all.

Let’s create something beautiful together. Contact me to inquire for more information about pricing and packages!

Vendors:

wedding Inspiration, Photo Prep tips, & exclusive offers only for the enp insiders

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