Suave + Sapphira Married A Norfolk Botanical Gardens Wedding

Suave + Sapphira

First Looks!  Does everyone have to have them?  More and more these days brides are leaning toward first looks with their grooms.  I have to be honest as Virginia wedding photographers we love this.  Not only does it make a day less stressful on the bride and groom, but it helps us from having to jam all the bride groom gorgeousness into 20 minutes.  That aside, we still love when brides opt for the more traditional weddings.  The one where the groom is seeing them for the very first time as they take the aisle.  You all know, as the guests, you quickly wait to see the bride as she takes the aisle and then you quickly swing your head around to catch the grooms reaction.  We all love that dreamy fairy tale moment, don’t we?! I think there is good reason.  It is one of the most special moments.  First looks can be special too…don’t get me wrong.  Really, both have their pros and we love that we encourage each couple to make their choice for themselves.

The reason I just wrote a whole paragraph on first looks and traditional weddings is because Sapphira wanted a traditional wedding and it was such a dream watching that take place.  It reminded me of my wedding day.  That moment I took the man-made sandy beached aisle and the moment Jake saw me for the first time as his bride.  It was definitely magical, just like Suave and Sapphira’s day.  Except their day was full of gorgeous gardened surroundings instead of the sandy beach.

With most of the wedding these days, Suave and Sapphira had to give up some of their dream ideas of their wedding.  Originally they had a guest list close to 250 people and a reception that I know would have been so much fun, but with the way everything is right now they had to chisel their guest list down to 50 people or less in under a couple weeks.  Whew! And instead of a full big reception they ended up with a small intimate one instead.  Super kuddos to them for navigating this whole thing like champs.  Other than the small disappointment I could hear in Sapphira’s voice on the phone she really did a great job of making her new wedding day look and feel perfect.

The Norfolk Botanical Garden’s was such a beautiful venue for their wedding.  The weather was just right and there weren’t too many people.  Sapphira and her girls were such a joy to spend time with before the ceremony.  And Suave and his guys were just fun!  They were dancing the moment they got there.  The ceremony was beautifully centered in the Renaissance Garden with trees making it breezy and wonderful.  After their intimate ceremony was over we took bridal party photos and bride groom photos.

Sapphira was a dream bride, absolutely stunning, and so sweet!  I loved watching her giggle, laugh and light up at the altar as she held Suave’s hands and they exchanged their vows.  Sapphira did a first look with her father, which was such a sweet moment between the two.  You could see how much her daddy loves her.  Suave is truly a fine gentleman.  His parents did a great job raising him.  And I loved the pastor’s prayer over them at the end of their ceremony.  Probably one of the best prayers I’ve ever heard prayed at a wedding!

Despite all the setbacks this wedding was perfect and beautiful in my eyes.  It maybe wasn’t what they planned or originally envisioned, but the love and joy was all the same.

To Suave and Sapphira, I have loved every single time I’ve gotten to spend with you two.  It is always a joy.  I love both of your personalities so much.  Thank you so much for allowing Jake and I to be a part of this day.  It was truly an honor.  We pray both of you build such a full life together.  We cannot wait to watch your lives grow together.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for giving us the joy of photographing your beautiful day!

-J&J