As I look back at the 5+ years of business, I am reminded of so many sweet couples I’ve welcomed into the ENP Family. I love each of them dearly, but some couples just make my heart melt just a tad bit extra because of their radiance of kindness and warmth. Nick and Lauren are one of those couples. Their fall wedding at St. Bridget Catholic Church and Dominion Club was one of the easiest wedding days to photograph. I could easily say it’s because of how freaking photogenic these two are! But I think the true reason was that they maintained a glow of joy the entire day – and it was contagious.

How to Get Joyful Wedding Images

Nick and Lauren are one of my Willow Britt Studios couples. I was so honored to work with them at their engagement session the prior winter. We built a solid foundation of connection at that session, but I hadn’t realized how solid until I walked into their wedding venue, Dominion Club.

I first greeted Nick in the groom’s dressing room. While I was already excited to see him, I was so touched when he jumped up immediately to give me the biggest bear hug and tell me how glad he was that I was there! That warmth was echoed by Lauren when I greeted her in the bridal suite. These were two people that truly showed excitement to work with me and an already established ease, comfort and trust in my abilities to capture their day. It felt like working amongst friends more than clients.

The entire day progressed on this tidal wave of affection for these two. And it is a firm reminder that sometimes the best work and more joyful images are produced when there is an established trust between couple and photographer. This is the very reason I urge couples to take photographers up on engagement sessions! Meet them before booking them, face to face if you can! Make sure you vibe and like their personality. It is so important, because it truly does impact your final images.

This glow of joy can be seen in all their images, not just because they were a couple madly in love but also because they felt so comfortable in front of my lens due to that connection with me. And I created art out of that inspirational connection too. It’s some of my proudest work.

A Beautiful Wedding Ceremony at St. Bridget Catholic Church

Their wedding day started at Dominion Club, but continued at St. Bridget Catholic Church. Their ceremony, a traditional catholic mass, was heartfelt and filled with sentiments perfect for this bride and groom. While I’m not Catholic myself (I am a Bible-believing Christian but attend a non-denominational church), I really appreciate the way Catholic ceremonies honor the sacredness and reverence of marriage.

Aside from their touching ceremony, the church made for a gorgeous backdrop for their first round of newlywed portraits. After we completed those and their family formals, we headed back to Dominion Club to capture their wedding party portraits and more photos of the bride and groom.

Golden Hour Shows Up Brilliantly at a Fall Dominion Club Wedding

Fall weddings are easily my favorite season for many reasons. But one reason that trumps most is that the time we get to do couple portraits usually lines up with Golden Hour, naturally! I usually don’t have to interrupt a couple’s reception to steal them away when the sunset is showing off. The earlier sunset just falls right when I am photographing some of my favorite work.

At this fall Dominion Club wedding, I could not get enough of the sun-drenched glow on Nick and Lauren! This venue boasts so many stunning locations for portraits, made even more stunning by golden hour.

Dominion Club Wedding Reception Photos by a Richmond Wedding Photographer

Dominion Club is a great choice of venue for many reasons. It boasts stunning locations for portraits, ceremonies, and their reception space! This two-tiered ballroom is light and bright, with tons of windows letting in natural light during the day and sunset hours. But even as the sun dips below the horizon, it does a great job entertaining guests and encouraging lots of mingling.

Lauren and Nick chose simple yet elegant reception decor for their tables. Draped chairs, ivory blooms and long vines of greenery, gold details and sparkling glasses all added a feel of luxury to the atmosphere.

But the entire atmosphere lit up even more the moment the newlyweds walked in. Their friends and families roared with cheers for them as they stepped into their first dance. I loved how totally focused they were on one another as they twirled and dipped and kissed.

The party was electric, from start to a sparkler exit finish.

I photographed Nick and Lauren’s wedding as an associate photographer for Willow Britt Studios.

If you love my work and want to see more, check out the next few journal posts below! Inquire with me for your wedding as soon as you have a date and venue set. I can’t wait to capture YOUR unique memories soon!

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