Mason Wedding | The Mill at Fine Creek in Powhatan, Virginia
Kevin and Suzannah’s wedding at The Mill at Fine Creek was my last wedding of March, and it was a day full of surprises. That morning, it was raining and really cold, which made it seem like the weather was going to be awful. I even wore boots and long pants/shirt because I thought I was dressing appropriately. However, when I arrived at the venue, the weather turned around about an hour later and got sunny and warm. Although there was no sunset due to the overcast, the water helped make the background beautiful regardless. Despite the unpredictable weather, the day was filled with love, laughter, and special moments that made it truly unforgettable. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at some of the highlights of Kevin and Susannah’s wedding day and share some of the beautiful photos.
The Masons were referred to me by Anne, a previous bride of mine. It always means so much to me when I’m referred by past couples who have enjoyed working with me on their special day. It’s a testament to the quality of my work and the level of service I provide. And when I hear that a new bride has been referred by an awesome past bride, I know that she’s going to be just as amazing to work with. It’s always a wonderful feeling to know that I’ve made such a positive impact on someone’s special day that they want to share my services with their friends and family.
I found myself endlessly inspired by this stunning day from start to finish. From Kevin and Suzannah’s emotional first look to their wild and crazy reception, every moment of their day was filled with so much fun and laughter. Magical weather, a lively group of friends and family, and the rare beauty of the ruins provided the perfect backdrop for my photographs.
Let’s look back on all my favorite photos and moments from this STUNNING wedding, and we’ll hear from the groom, himself on how he and his bride picked all of their amazing vendors!
Working with Suzannah and Kevin was such a joy! Suzannah was referred to me by her best friend, Anne Hefele Pagac, who I photographed in 2019 at Fairview Farm. It’s always such an honor when past clients refer their friends and family to me, and it was clear from the start that Suzannah was a wonderful person. She was great at giving direction when needed, but also knew when to let the pros do their job. It was a pleasure to work with such a sweet bride who trusted my expertise and allowed me to do what I do best.
Kevin and Suzannah were the last ones out of their friend groups to get married, so this event was truly a big deal for everyone. They had a close-knit group of friends that they did things with regularly, and it was obvious that they had created a family out of those close friendships. Kevin was quirky and had a great sense of humor, and it was clear that he and Suzannah were very connected and attached to having fun with their friends. The reception was a blast, and I must say, Kevin and Suzannah were excellent dancers. Kevin let loose and had so much fun, and it was great to see him enjoying himself. The guys in the wedding party even had matching shirts for the reception, which was such a fun touch and made for some great photos. Overall, Suzannah and Kevin made a wonderful couple with a great group of friends. It was an honor to be a part of their special day and to capture all of these beautiful moments, and SO FUN to watch them all get down on the dance floor.
One of my favorite times to photograph with Suzannah and Kevin was their first look by the water. It was nice to have one-on-one time with them before the ceremony and do our own thing. My advice for future brides is to consider doing a first look before the ceremony. This can be a great way to have a private moment with your partner and calm your nerves before the ceremony. Plus, you’ll have more time for photos!
Second-runner-up for favorite moments to shoot at this wedding was the reception! Suzannah and Kevin were truly in their element while dancing with their friends, so I loved watching them let loose. Receptions are a great time to capture candid moments of the couple and their guests, and Suzannah and Kevin’s dancing was especially memorable.
Instead of traditional sparklers or confetti, the couple’s guests blew bubbles as they exited the reception. I thought this was a cool and different idea, because it created such a magical and whimsical atmosphere. The bubbles made for some great photos and added a fun touch to the end of the night. If you’re looking for a fun and unique way to exit your reception, consider a bubble exit!
The Mill at Fine Creek is one of my favorite wedding venues in Powhatan, VA. The property is breathtaking, and the team is incredibly talented. When I first visited the venue, I was struck by the beauty of Fine Creek Mills and its surrounding property. The granite rocks, the gristmill ruins, and the old miller’s cottage all make for the perfect backdrop for wedding photos. The Mill is more than just a wedding venue. It’s a place where dreams come true (as boasted on their website!). The team is dedicated to making sure that every couple’s big day is everything they’ve ever dreamed of. From the moment you say “yes” to the moment you say “I do,” they work tirelessly to make sure that every detail is perfect.
The Mill at Fine Creek is a one-stop-shop for all your wedding needs. From catering to coordination, they have everything you need to make your big day unforgettable. The catering team is incredibly talented, and they offer a wide range of menu options to suit any taste. Whether you’re looking for classic Southern fare or something a little more exotic, they can create a menu that’s perfect for you. And when it comes to coordinating, the team at The Mill at Fine Creek is second to none. They work tirelessly to make sure that every detail is perfect, so you can relax and enjoy your special day. If you’re looking for a wedding venue that’s both beautiful and unforgettable, The Mill is the perfect choice.
Question: Tell us a short story about a core memory you took away from your wedding day.
Kevin’s Answer: The whole night seemed surreal. Probably the biggest memory was our entrance. It was so great to see everyone clapping and cheering for us. We aren’t ones to jump into the spotlight, so it was an unusual experience for but for all the right reasons. During our first dance, which was And I Love Her by The Beatles, time stopped and we felt like we were the only two people in the world and everything revolved around us. In retrospect, we should have picked a longer song to make the moment last longer.
*Ashley’s Note: Thank you for sharing that special moment with me! It’s amazing how time seems to stand still during those moments, isn’t it? I’m so glad that you were able to take a step back and really enjoy the spotlight, even if it’s not something you’re used to. And as for your first dance, I completely understand what you mean! It’s a moment that goes by so quickly, but it’s so important to savor it.
My advice to future couples would be to pick a song that you both love and that has special meaning to you, and then really take the time to soak in the moment. Even if the song is short, those few minutes will be memories that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
Question: Do you have a favorite memory from working with Ashley Dorton?
Kevin’s Answer: We loved working with Ashley, she had a great combo of a fun personality, but she could also be direct with us on her expectations about her style, which was absolutely perfect for us because we were clueless as to how to pose for pictures. During our engagement session, Ashley spent about ten minutes total coaching us on poses and proper techniques (like how to kiss correctly) that would help make for great photographs, and they absolutely did! We kept those lessons in mind during our wedding and we’d say we learned and improved!
*Ashley’s Note: Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed working with me and that my coaching helped you feel more comfortable in front of the camera. It’s always my goal to make sure my clients feel at ease and have fun during their sessions, while still capturing those perfect moments. I’m so glad that you were able to take what we learned during your engagement session and apply it to your wedding day.
One piece of advice I always give to my clients is to trust your photographer! It’s so important to find a photographer whose style you love and then let them do their thing. I’m so glad that you trusted me during your engagement session and wedding day, and that you were happy with the results.
Remember, being in front of the camera can be nerve-wracking, but if you trust your photographer and let them guide you, you’ll end up with beautiful photos that you’ll cherish forever.
Question: When planning the wedding, how did you pick each vendor? What stood out about each one?
Kevin‘s Answer:
Wedding Venue, Coordinating, Catering, and Cake : The Mill at Fine Creek– We knew that we wanted to choose the Mill at Fine Creek as our wedding venue as soon as we saw pictures of the ruins online. Within minutes of visiting, we had both fallen in love with the beautiful scenery. We had originally considered getting married somewhere in Scotland or England, and we loved how the Mill had the feel of the English countryside with the ruins, beautiful remote setting, and picturesque creek. We just couldn’t say no! The Mill also handled day-of and ceremony coordination, catering, and the cake. Beth was our coordinator and was absolutely amazing, as was the rest of the team. It felt too good to be true, but everyone was so accommodating and covered every detail.
DJ Services: Signature DJs– We found our DJ, Signature DJs at the Richmond Bridal Expo, at the Richmond Bridal Expo. They were led by Brandon and our MC was by Phillip ( and Kelly), who worked with us throughout the whole planning phase and even did some custom mixes for us. They provided plenty of song selections and ensured that there was never a dull moment.
Officiant: Chris Karol– Our officiant was Chris Karol, who we found using the Knot. He came highly rated, seemed very nice and genuine, and provided us with multiple options for our vows and ceremony. He made our ceremony very personable even though we had only talked to him once, and he added some nice humor to our ceremony. He even took a few quick pictures during our first look, so we would have a couple pictures to look at the day of the wedding.
Flowers: M. Henry Designs– The Mill recommended our florist, M. Henry Designs, as being one of the best around and within our budget. Catherine and her team were so professional and basically mapped out our entire floral arrangement with little detail. When we first talked to Catherine, all Suzannah had decided about our flowers was that she wanted the colors to be pink and white, have a slightly romantic feel, and that she loved the look of peonies. Catherine took this very vague description and absolutely delivered. Our flowers were more beautiful than either of us could have imagined. It was so absolutely beautiful. She knew exactly what we were looking for, even when we did not.
Photographer: Ashley Dorton Photography– We were led to Ashley because Suzannah knew her from her Matron of Honor’s (Anne Hefele Pagac) wedding. She loved the hard work the Ashley put into capturing the night and how beautiful Anne’s pictures came out. So, when it came time for us to choose a photographer for our own wedding, Ashley was at the top of the list. We enjoyed chatting with her on the phone during our fist meeting, and once we got a sense for her passion for photography, we knew we had to go with her for our wedding.
To Suzannah and Kevin,
Your wedding day was absolutely beautiful, and I feel so lucky to have been a part of it. Your first dance was so magical, because it was clear that you two were lost in the moment, which was such a beautiful thing to see. Thank you for trusting me to capture your special day. I hope that the photos will bring you joy for years to come. Wishing you both all the best in your new life together!
And finally, a huge ‘thank you’ to all of the amazing vendors mentioned in this blog, who played a special part in making this wedding such a success! You’re all true professionals, and I hope to work with you many more times in the future!
Here’s to dancing the night away with your favorite person for the rest of your life!
Xo,
Ashley
(Blog designed & Written by Sarah of Aligned Artists)
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