Today’s blog post is the first wedding of 2019 for us and it was such a fun day!!  If you were in Virginia on Saturday, you know that it was sunny and 75 (or hotter) and everyone loved it.  Tara and Phil could not have asked for a more perfect day to get married.  

Their wedding took place at Amber Grove which is such a gorgeous venue.  The open fields, beautiful home, the barn, the vine covered silos – everything was amazing…even the precious cat, Claus, that loves a good belly rub.  But what really makes every wedding over the top are the people.  The people mean everything!!  The bride & groom who obviously the entire day is about, who are crazy about each other and can’t wait to get this day started!  The best friends who have stood by them through thick and thin.  The family that has held them since they were a baby and raised them to be who they are.  Meeting each person, hearing their stories, hearing these excitement and joy…that makes the day what it is!  

For Tara and Phil, we heard lots of stories!!  And loved ALL of them, funny or serious.  Phil’s brother, Ryan, was telling everyone about the time they picked Phil up when he got home from deployment while he and Tara were just dating.  Ryan said that Phil told him how emotional he was on the flight home because all he wanted to do was see Tara.  Ryan said he knew right then that Tara was the one for Phil and she was staying around.  

Maybe it was because we hadn’t had a wedding in a few months, but this wedding had me extra emotional from start to finish.  Tara was getting ready to walk out of the door for all of her bridesmaids and her mother to see her in her dress when her mom all of the sudden said, “How is this happening?  She is supposed to still be swaddled, rocking in my arms!”  Cue ALL of the tears because, in the next second, Tara walked out and we saw how gorgeous she looked!  Tonja (mama) started crying and that was the first of many tears we would all shed that day.  

My favorite part of the entire day though was the bride & groom portraits.  Phil and Tara shared a first look early in the day, which was so sweet!  Both of them lit up when they saw each other and couldn’t wait to just be together!  They were so happy for everything to begin.  We spent the next 15-20 minutes together taking photos of just them and I immediately noticed how much they make each other laugh.  You see nothing but pure joy when they are together!

One thing that stuck with me from one of the toasts was the statement that “you fall in love many many times throughout your marriage, but always with the same person.”  I could not agree more!  That is the beauty of finding the person that is right for you.  You will grow together and fall in love with each other in these difference phases of your lives and roles you have to play.  The people you are on your wedding day are different than the people you will be in 10 years or 50 years!  I am so happy that Tara & Phil found each other and get to fall in love over & over again!!  

Tara and Phil – we love y’all and were so honored to be a part of this day!!  You two are truly so much fun to be around and we are excited for y’all to start your life together! 

VENDORS:
Photography: Caiti Garter Photography
Venue: Amber Grove
Hair & Makeup: Radiant Reflection
Videographer: George Street Photo & Video
Catering: Amber Grove
Dress: Oleg Cassini from David’s Bridal
Groom’s Attire: Mens Wearhouse
DJ: Marlon Pendergraft

A first look with dad is always emotional!!  


Look how excited they are to see each other!

















Phil wore a fanny pack the entire day, I kid you not. Hilarious!







































I love this part of the day…sneaking away at sunset for a few more photos!


























Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Caiti