Zach + Melissa | Married

Working with Melissa and Zach was an absolute joy! Melissa initially interviewed me, we clicked, but then she decided to hire someone else. However, after working with that photographer, she ultimately felt that I was a better fit for their special day. I’m so grateful that she trusted her instincts because it allowed me to be a part of this amazing day.

Melissa was such a nice and relaxed bride. She had a type-A personality, which made her incredibly organized and focused on all the details. I loved how she knew exactly what she wanted, and I was super grateful for the help from her coordinator to stay on time and organized throughout the day. Seeing Melissa finally have the dress and wedding she had always wanted was truly heartwarming.

Melissa’s husband, Zach was also an absolute gem. He had a smile on his face the entire time and was such an attentive father to their three beautiful children. It was evident that he adored Melissa and his family, and he really wanted this day to be special for everyone. I loved how he was so involved and caring with the kids, creating such heartwarming moments that I was honored to capture.

The reception was a blast! Melissa’s bridesmaids were so much fun, and they really clicked with Chloe, my assistant photographer. The dance floor was filled with laughter and joy as everyone let loose and celebrated the love between Melissa and Zach. It was incredible to witness the genuine connection and love that surrounded them throughout the entire day.

Oh, and let’s not forget about the reception decor! Melissa and Zach went above and beyond by custom-making a lot of it. Their attention to detail and personal touch truly made the celebration unique and memorable.

Overall, working with Melissa and Zach was a dream come true. Their love, their family, and their commitment to creating a beautiful and meaningful day were truly inspiring. It was an honor to capture their 10-year anniversary vow renewal and be a part of their incredible journey together.

As a wedding photographer, I absolutely loved capturing the beauty and joy of this mountain-view wedding. The natural backdrop provided the perfect canvas for creating breathtaking and memorable images. And let me tell you, there were so many incredible details that made this wedding truly special! Let me share some of my top-favorite details with you:

One of my favorite highlights was the bride’s bouquet, which she lovingly crafted herself using a combination of brooches and silk flowers. It was such a unique and personal touch that perfectly reflected her creativity and style.

Before the ceremony, I had the honor of capturing the couple’s first look. It was such a deeply-emotional and intimate moment, allowing them to share their excitement and love before exchanging vows. The raw emotions I captured in those photos are truly priceless.

And let’s not forget about the reception! It was filled with amazing “tiny touches” that showcased the couple’s love and attention to detail. From the carefully crafted table numbers to the personalized pictures and card station, every element added to the overall ambiance of the celebration.

Finally, one of my absolute favorite moments was when the couple had their first dance with their three adorable children. It was such a heartwarming and tender moment, capturing the essence of their growing family.

Overall, this wedding was filled with so many beautiful and meaningful moments.

Now’s the fun part where I share some tips for future brides who may be reading the blog, based on what this adorable event taught me (in no specific order):

1. Embrace cultural traditions, like the chord-tying ceremony, for a cool and unique vow renewal experience.
2. Make your ceremony your own by writing and exchanging personal vows, just like Melissa and Zach did. It adds a special touch!
3. Consider having both a personal cake for cutting and a larger sheet cake for serving guests, like their big Ukrops sheet cake. It’s a fun way to celebrate traditions while sharing delicious cake with everyone on a budget.
4. Create a unique dining experience by having a food truck, like the pizza truck Melissa and Zach had, serving personal pizzas, salads, and customized drinks. It adds a touch of fun and uniqueness to the celebration.
5. Make your sparkler exit extra fun by using long sparklers and going through multiple times. Melissa and Zach had a blast with it!
6. Trust your instincts when choosing vendors. Melissa initially went against her gut, but circled back to hire me, and it turned out to be the perfect choice. Follow your gut and connect with vendors who resonate with you. Don’t overthink your initial intuition.
7. Consider having a 10-year anniversary wedding celebration. It’s a fantastic way to acknowledge and celebrate your love and commitment with your loved ones by your side.
8. Hiring a wedding coordinator can be a game-changer. It not only helps you stay organized but also makes the work easier for all the other vendors involved. It’s a tip that benefits everyone!
9. Don’t be afraid to have an outfit change at the reception. It adds an extra element of fun and keeps things exciting throughout the celebration.

These tips from Melissa and Zach’s vow renewal celebration will surely inspire future brides to create their own unique and unforgettable wedding experiences!

I absolutely love giving shoutouts to the amazing vendors who made my wedding day extra special, so let’s dive into some of my personal favorites from this awesome event!

First off, a big shoutout to the rockstar wedding coordinator from About Thyme Events. She went above and beyond, flawlessly setting everything up and keeping things running smoothly. From start to finish, she was a true rockstar! And trust me, future brides, you won’t be disappointed if you choose About Thyme Events as your event planner!

Now, let’s talk about the mouthwatering pizza from Blue Ridge Pizza Company. They were absolutely fantastic and so nice! The food was out of this world delicious, and the whole experience was a blast. It added a unique and fun element to the celebration. If you’re looking for an unforgettable pizza experience, Blue Ridge Pizza Company is the way to go!

Lastly, a huge shoutout to the incredible DJ Fit from Officiant & DJ Services. He truly brought the party to life! Not only did he keep the dance floor packed all night, but he also had a photo booth that added an extra element of fun. DJ Fit knew how to get the crowd moving and grooving, even joining them on the dance floor himself. And when it came to the sparkler exit, he made it truly magical. Plus, he went the extra mile by teaching everyone some awesome line dances. If you’re looking for a DJ who knows how to keep the party going and create unforgettable memories, DJ Fit is the one to call!

I hope these recommendations help make your wedding day as special and memorable as possible, as i know they definitely added to the flawlessness of Melissa and Zach’s event! Anyone would be lucky to have these awesome vendors on their team!

Question: Tell us a short story about a core memory you took away from your wedding day. 

Melissa’s Answer: It is very difficult to name just one core memory.  Overall, the immense feeling of love from our family and friends was overwhelming.  Getting married on Mother’s Day weekend meant a lot to us.  Zach and I initially were married back in 2013 in a very small ceremony without all the trimmings of a traditional wedding.  We regretted not uniting our family and friends back then and so three kids later as we approached the milestone of a decade, we decided to do it BIG and plan the wedding of our dreams. 
During our first dance to “Crowded Table” by the Highwomen, our three children joined us on the dance floor…priceless.  Other memories include dancing with my dad to Sweet Melissa by the Allman Brother’s, my best friends shaving my arm pits right before the ceremony (missed a spot! lol), the rain holding off allowing us to be at the outside ceremony site and actually tying the knot in the Celtic hand-fasting ceremony stands out the most!

*Ashley’s Note: Ohh, Melissa! I totally get it, choosing just one core memory from your incredible day is tough, but remembering the overwhelming love from your family and friends is definitely a great place to start. And getting married on Mother’s Day weekend? I still think this was SUCH a special choice!

What an incredible way to celebrate your love with everyone ten years after your intimate ceremony back in 2013, too! I can‘t even begin to express how priceless it was when your kids joined you and Zach on that dance floor during your first dance. Those moments of togetherness and unity truly make a wedding day unforgettable. And dancing with your dad to “Sweet Melissa” by the Allman Brothers was such a beautiful tribute. It’s those personalized touches that add an extra layer of emotion and connection to your special day.

Haha, your besties shaving your armpits right before the ceremony definitely falls into the unexpected and hilarious category! Embracing the chaos and the unexpected is part of the adventure, and it’s those stories that you’ll laugh about for years to come.

And how could I forget about the Celtic hand-fasting ceremony?! Incorporating cultural or symbolic rituals into your wedding adds such depth and meaning. It’s a beautiful way to honor your heritage and create lasting memories. Your wedding day was truly filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments.

Now, as a wedding photographer, I have a few more tips for future brides based on your amazing experience. First, consider choosing a date that holds personal meaning for you and your partner, just like Melissa did with Mother’s Day weekend. It adds an extra layer of love and significance to your celebration.

Second, involving your loved ones in special moments, like your first dance with your children, creates unforgettable memories and is so symbolic for the unity of your new family.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to personalize your wedding day with meaningful touches, like choosing songs that hold sentimental value or incorporating cultural or symbolic rituals. These little details make your wedding uniquely yours and create lasting memories.

Thanks for sharing your beautiful wedding memories, Melissa! It was an honor to capture those special moments for you and Zach.

Question: Do you have a favorite memory from working with Ashley Dorton?

Melissa’s Answer: There were so many meant-to-be moments surrounding our wedding.  When Ashley showed up at the venue, we realized quickly that she knew some of my friends and family members and had even worked with my friend and makeup artist before at another wedding in the past…Serendipity! 

*Ashley’s Note: I couldn’t agree more! It was such an incredible and unexpected moment when I arrived at the venue and realized that I had actually worked with some of your friends and family members before, and had even attended your husband’s 30th birthday years ago! It’s like fate brought us all together to create something truly magical on your special day. And you know what they say, when you work with familiar faces, the energy and comfort levels soar, resulting in even more stunning and authentic photos. These connections and shared experiences truly make being a wedding photographer so special and unique. I firmly believe that they create a sense of trust and comfort, allowing me to capture the genuine essence of your wedding day in the most beautiful way possible.

So, to all the amazing future brides out there, if you’re searching for a photographer who not only has the technical skills but also brings that extra touch of familiarity and serendipity to your special day, I would be absolutely honored to be a part of your journey. I’ve been in the business for so many years now, that it’s likely I will have worked with some of your guests and friends! Let’s create stunning, timeless, and unforgettable memories together that will be cherished for a lifetime!

Question: When planning the wedding, how did you pick each vendor? What stood out about each one?

Melissa‘s Answer:We had some AMAZING vendors!

Location: Lydia Mountain Pavilion in Greene County, Virginia

About Thyme Events|Event Planner: About Thyme EventsI met the owner, Elizabeth Langley at Trader Joe’s, where she works part-time, while shopping and briefly discussed florals and weddings…I hired her soon after.  I had interviewed a few other coordinators and they wouldn’t really talk to me about my big day until they were hired but she didn’t operate that way.  Elizabeth was creative, strategic and knows the business very well and how to negotiate with vendors professionally.  Hired her for styling, too.  Worth every penny.

MS Events | Draping & Rentals: MS Events They were a local recommendation, lots of color options and rental selections…  A simple pipe-and-drape idea formed between Kylie at MS and my planner saved us a ton of money on my main styling element.

Blue Ridge Pizza Company | Food & Beverage Service: Blue Ridge Pizza Company We wanted to showcase our adventurous taste for food in a relaxed way and Blue Ridge Pizza was perfect!  Having the wood-fired pizza oven going during the wedding was really cool and made for a fun photo-op during the reception.  Melissa and Jay have a great team and they worked well for our DIY venue, as they offered full-service catering- tended bar for us and batch-made two signature cocktails inspired by our two dogs, Mister and Lady.

Sei Bella Studio | Hairstylist: Sei Bella Studio I began following Mariah’s instagram, @BraidFreeOrDye during my early planning and just loved her work and her overall vibe as a stylist.  She gave me great advice along the way, helped me pivot my look close to the big day and offered rental hair accessories.  I was even able to return rentals back to her in a ready-to-ship box she provided after the wedding. The experience with Mariah was just easy and enjoyable.

Blue Sage Bridal | Wedding Dress: Blue Sage Bridal  As a Richmond native, it just felt right to go downtown RVA and find my dress at the local Blue Sage Bridal.  They are Richmond’s only consignment and sample bridal boutique. I was proud to support an all inclusive, woman owned business. Also,the way they handle appointments, one bride at a time, made me feel like royalty! Consultant Leanna recommended I try on the dress I selected. That girl is gooooood lol

Altar’d State | Shoes: Altar’d State White, pearl studded boots with the perfect 2″ heel.

Kasey Shumaker | Hair & Makeup: Kasey Shumaker- a fabulous friend who worked in the makeup industry with me years ago.   Now in real estate, she does wedding makeup as a side hustle!

Ashley Dorton Photography | Photographer: Ashley of Ashley Dorton Photography (of course!)

DJ Fit | Officiant & DJ Services: DJ Fit We came across DJ Fit on wedding wire, and you could not miss the incredible number of 5-star reviews- paragraph after paragraph about how amazing this man is- we listened and were lucky to grab him early- one our first vendors booked!  The photo booth was so much fun, and we used the photo strips as our wedding favors!

Ukrop’s Bakery | Cake & Cupcakes: Ukrop’s Bakery Dusted with coconut shavings and topped with an antique bride and groom figurine.

To Melissa and Zach,

Thank you for choosing me to capture your incredible 10-year anniversary vow renewal. It was such an honor to be a part of your special day and witness the love and joy that radiated from both of you. I have to say, you two pulled off an absolutely amazing mountain-top celebration. The breathtaking views, the intimate ceremony, and the love that filled the air were truly unforgettable. It was such a magical experience to witness your love and commitment all over again, surrounded by the beauty of nature. Thank you again for allowing me to be a part of your special day. Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness and love.

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 shouting your love from the tallest mountain in Virginia! May your journey together continue to be filled with love, laughter, and countless beautiful moments.

Xo,
Ashley

(Blog designed & Written by Sarah of Aligned Artists)