I photograph so many beautiful weddings that it’s hard to commit to a favorite. However, if I could choose my favorite wedding theme, Richard and Emily planned one that comes awfully close to toppling all the others! When I first chatted with Stacie Marshall (Marshall Arts Photography) about second shooting their wedding for her, I could hardly wait to see Emily’s vision come to life. As soon as I heard she drew inspiration for her Country Club of Virginia wedding from Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly, and Kate Middleton, my expectations were naturally high. But they were also exceeded!

Richard and Emily met while dancing in the Richmond ballet. Yeah, their story is about as classical a romance as you can get! When I first met Emily on her wedding day, I was stunned by how much of a natural beauty she was. Her smile exuded grace and kindness. Similarly, Richard was a classic gentleman with a high attention to detail.

Getting Ready at The Jefferson Hotel | Richmond Wedding Photographer

They began their day getting ready at the famous Jefferson Hotel in downtown Richmond. The beautiful lobby was fit for this American royalty love story to get started. We took Richard’s groom portraits outside The Jefferson, then a few with their rented 1953 Bentley. (What a beautiful car!!)

A Holy Matrimony at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond

We then traveled to Cathedral of the Sacred Heart for their wedding ceremony. The light from the large circular window in the sanctuary cast an angelic glow upon Emily as she floated down the aisle to her love. But what melted me most was seeing how Richard looked at his beautiful bride. Scroll down to those photos to have your eyes swell. It’s so sweet.

A Classic Wedding Reception at Country Club of Virginia

After their Cathedral of the Sacred Heart wedding ceremony, Richard and Emily welcomed guests for their Country Club of Virginia wedding reception. This venue is just stunning! The large ballroom had a balcony-lined ceiling in the middle, which gave me a beautiful vantage point during their elegant first dance.

Every detail of this classic wedding was so beautifully thought out. I hope you enjoy these timeless images! Small disclaimer, I took these photos while second shooting for Marshall Arts Photography, but if you’d like to see the edits the couple received, check out the blog post from MAP here!

If you love this wedding then you’ll also love these posts:

• Anthony & Ali’s Colorful Fall Wedding at Plantation at Sunnybrook | Roanoke Wedding Photographer
• Stephen & Megan’s Beauty and the Beast Themed Wedding at George Peabody Library | Baltimore Wedding Photographer
• Tom & Allie’s Minimalist, Modern District Winery Wedding | Washington, D.C. Wedding Photographer