Matthew + Mary | Married

Alright fam, let me spill the tea on Mary and Matthew – what a dynamic duo!!

From the moment I met Mary, her infectious smile and positive vibes had me hooked. Not only was she drop-dead gorgeous, but her creativity and attention to detail blew me away. Seriously, this girl knows how to plan a wedding like nobody’s business. I also have to mention that Mary’s bridesmaids were the definition of squad goals! They were not only super helpful and supportive, but they were also the kindest bunch of gals you could ever meet. It’s clear that Mary has amazing taste in friends, and it speaks volumes about the kind of person she is.

And then there’s Matthew, the dapper groom. This guy knows how to rock a suit like nobody’s business. But what really got me was the way he looked at Mary. You could see the love radiating from his eyes. Throughout the day, he couldn’t stop grinning like a kid in a candy store. And during the speeches, he even shed a few happy tears. It was seriously heart-melting. He and his group of guys were SO silly and fun to work with, my second-shooter truly had a blast!

Mary and Matthew together? They were like a match made in wedding heaven. The way they worked together to make their day perfect was seriously impressive. I still can’t get over how photogenic this couple was – I don’t think it’s possible to take a bad photo of them! They were the ultimate power couple, and it was an honor to capture their love story.

Let me share some of my favorite moments from Mary and Matthew’s wedding and turn them into tips for future brides!

Picking a venue with romantic details was a brilliant choice. It really added to the elegance and overall look of the event. It’s amazing how the right venue can set the tone and create a beautiful backdrop for your special day.

During the ceremony, Mary had a unique idea of letting the wedding party sit down while they exchanged their vows. This is a great tip for brides with large wedding parties, as it keeps the main focus on the bride and groom. Another special touch was the officiant leading the group in hymns and singing, adding a fun twist to the otherwise fairly non-religious ceremony.

After the ceremony, the guests threw flowers, creating a unique and fun “grand exit” moment. This is a lovely way to capture a special send-off, especially if your wedding coverage ends early, like Mary and Matt’s did. I was also definitely a fan of the sit-down dinner! It was classy and unique, giving guests a chance to relax and enjoy a delicious meal.

The speeches during the reception were truly meaningful. From Mary’s dad and sisters to Matthew’s brother, they all did an amazing job. And the coordinated dance the couple did was over-the-top and so much fun! Starting with the father-daughter dance, followed by the groom and mother, and then the bride and groom, it really set the tone for an epic party. And when the wedding party joined in and pulled out cowgirl hats, you knew it was time to parrrtay!

As for food and cake, Mary opted for multiple smaller cakes, each one different and unique. This was such a fun and delightful idea, giving guests a variety of options to choose from, and was probably just as affordable (if not more so) than cupcakes would have been. The catering by Goodrich Gourmet looked absolutely yummy and was beautifully presented. Mary and Matthew sure know how to impress with their delicious food choices!

Another tip? If you have a lot of detailed shots to capture, it’s definitely worth considering having your photographer come early and leave a little before the reception ends. It’s a fair tradeoff to ensure you capture all those special moments and details you’ve put so much thought and energy into. Choosing detail shots over dancing shots can be a great decision, as it allows you to showcase all the intricate elements of your wedding. Plus, you already know your loved-ones will capture plenty of fun dancing photos!

Lastly, I love that Mary did a first look and changed into silver party boots during the reception. It added so much variety and made the day even more special. And the groom switching his outfit for the reception was such a cool idea! It’s all about those little details that make a big difference.

Keswick Vineyards was an incredible venue for Mary and Matthew’s wedding! It was my first time shooting there, and the drive out near Charlottesville was so scenic and inspiring, especially with the mountains in the background. The owner of the venue, Cindy, who also served as the in-house coordinator, was amazing! She’s not only a talented coordinator, but she also took photos and blogged about the behind-the-scenes of the day. It was so cool to see her go the extra mile. And being a wine lover, photographing this wedding at a vineyard was absolutely perfect! The whole day felt so special and unique.

Edgewood Estate and Keswick Vineyards, nestled in the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, created a stunning backdrop for the wedding. The rural setting was still conveniently close to accommodations, making it ideal for a picturesque countryside celebration. The attention to detail from the venue owner and her team was phenomenal. They treated all the vendors like royalty and made the day feel so elegant and high-end. The venue itself had so many amazing elements to shoot, and I could have spent the entire day capturing its beauty.

Mary also deserves a huge shoutout for her incredible talent in floral design, artwork, and all the intricate details and decorations. She truly has a knack for creating stunning wedding aesthetics. With her skills, she could definitely make a name for herself in the wedding industry. I’m not kidding when I say I’ll be calling her when it’s time to plan and decorate for my own wedding!

Lastly, a big shoutout to the DJ! He was truly awesome and kept the energy high throughout the reception. The music selection was on point, and everyone was dancing and having a great time. Having a talented DJ can really elevate the atmosphere of a wedding, and he did an outstanding job.

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

Mary’s Answer: I had the best time scream singing “You Belong With Me” in the dressing room before the ceremony with all my bridesmaids – they were just the best! I had 13 girls, so I was a little worried ahead of time that the bridal suite was going to be a little chaotic morning of, but all my girls created such a calming, happy vibe! They made sure I had everything I needed and waited on me hand and foot all day! One of my other favorite memories was having a little moment with both my parents before we walked down the aisle together. We were hiding out in the back of vineyards and got to chat and enjoy the gorgeous views and chirping birds just us 3. It was so wonderful to have a little quiet moment before everything started. Another good memory is how we ended the night – after the wedding was over, everyone went to the college bar that my husband and I met at and we had the best time finishing off the night drinking cheap rail drinks from a sticky college bar all while in our fancy black tie attire. I loved being able to be back where it all began with all our best friends from UVA.  

*Ashley’s Note: Girlfriend, your wedding day was an absolute dream to photograph, and I’m so glad I got to capture all those incredible moments you just shared. The energy and joy in the dressing room as you and your bridesmaids belted out “You Belong With Me” was infectious. It was a true testament to the amazing bond you have with your closest friends. And speaking of your bridesmaids, I too was impressed by how they truly went above and beyond to make sure you had the most magical day. From taking care of your every need to creating a calming atmosphere, they were absolute rockstars.

That quiet moment with your parents in the vineyards will be one that you’ll remember for a lifetime, and I bet they will too. The chirping birds, the stunning views, and the heartfelt conversation with the two people who have had your back from day one… perfection. It’s those little moments of connection that make weddings so special.

And let’s not forget about the epic way you and Matthew ended the night! Going back to the college bar where it all began, surrounded by your best friends from UVA, and enjoying cheap rail drinks in your fancy black tie attire – that’s a memory that will always bring a smile to your faces. It’s a reminder to future brides that sometimes the most meaningful moments can happen in unexpected places. Don’t be afraid to bring everyone back to where your love story started!!

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

Mary’s Answer: When I was picking my photographer, I knew I wanted it to be someone I really clicked with as a person, because you spend so much time on the wedding day with them. From our first FaceTime, I knew I would really enjoy spending time with Ashley – and I was so happy with my decision! She had a way of keeping everyone on time and moving efficiently, which made for such an easy stress-free day, all while being friendly and relaxed. I never felt rushed and we always had ample time for just relaxing and taking in the moment. The details of the wedding were very important to me, since I designed all the paper goods myself, so I really appreciated how much she valued capturing the wedding details! She spent so much time capturing the flat lays and all the little things that were important to me. It was so fun getting to hang out with her the day of, and she had a great way of just capturing the natural moments of the wedding and not making the wedding feel like it was all about getting photos. 

*Ashley’s Note: I’m so happy that we instantly connected when we first FaceTimed. It was important to me that we had a great rapport, and I’m thrilled that we did. Making sure the day flows smoothly and stress-free is always a top priority for me, and I’m glad it made a difference for you. I absolutely loved capturing all the intricate details you put so much effort into, especially the flat lays and little things that were important to you. It was truly a pleasure hanging out with you on your wedding day and capturing those natural, heartfelt moments.

As a tip for future brides, I highly recommend finding a photographer you genuinely click with. It makes the whole experience so much more enjoyable and relaxed. And remember to take moments throughout the day to pause, breathe, and fully soak in the joyous occasion. Those are the moments that create the most cherished memories.

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

Mary‘s Answer: We worked with SO many awesome vendors! Here are a few shoutouts to those who really went above and beyond!

Goodrich Gourmet | Food & Beverage Service: I originally chose Goodrich because they were based out of Richmond and they were Keswick’s most-used caterer. I couldn’t have been happier with my decision, and I was really impressed with how flexible and accommodating Lauren was. She really had such a “can do” attitude, even when I was being particular about the most minute details, like different garnishes on the cocktails. She really helped guide me through the process, all while focusing on getting the best bang for my buck. I always felt like she was looking out for me, whether it was keeping rental costs down or choosing the linens. She went above and beyond, all while being cheerful and supportive, and I was certainly a very particular bride! I had a very-specific vision that I wanted executed, down to every little detail – for example, I had 7 different types of linens for the tables and each one had a specific location within the tent. She got every little detail correct! One of my favorite things she did was set up a mini cocktail station just for the wedding party so we could all debrief for a few moments after the ceremony before joining the rest of cocktail hour. It was such a special little moment to have with all my best friends and it was little details like that that really set Goodrich apart. 

Keswick Vineyards | Wedding & Reception Venue: I chose to use the planning team at Keswick when I booked the venue, and they really did not disappoint! I couldn’t have imagined a more experienced and spectacular team! Even though they were just my month-of planners, they did so much more and also gave me so much flexibility. One of the things that was really important to me was all the little details, like the personalized paper fans, the menu, place cards, or the escort card display. They handled every little detail (like hanging 150 escort cards!) with such ease and professionalism. Not only did they have everything under control, they were also so sweet. It was so nice to have them there the day of, and they really created such a loving and happy vibe 🙂 They let me really have such flexibility with the venue (like hanging literal trees in the tent) and I always felt like they were looking out for us. 

John Garland | Reception Entertainment & DJ: I can’t say enough good things about John! He truly went above and beyond. I was very particular and gave him a bunch of playlists for him to play from, and he really killed it! I had a very specific vibe I wanted to create at each part of the day and he pulled it off seamlessly. We had so many compliments after the wedding about how amazing the music was. He was also one of the kindest and sweetest people ever! My brother built me a custom DJ booth cover that I painted with our wedding monogram and flowers, and we were a little worried it would compromise the sound of the sub woofers. John helped us trouble shoot this and even came early the day of the wedding to do a sound check – he even missed his daughters soccer game to do this! He took all my specific requests graciously and with such a happy cheerful attitude – he was such a big part of making the day feel full of love and happiness! 

Flower Moxie | Flowers: Big shoutout to Flower Moxie! We DIYed all of our flowers, and they gave us the most stunning flowers to work with as well as a ton of educational materials so we could study up on what to do. We did the flowers the 3 days leading up to the wedding, and then my rock star aunts and cousins did the setup the day of in the 90 degree heat. I was going for a very lush, bright English garden theme for the wedding, and the flowers were a huge part of pulling this off. Not only did they turn out beautifully, but we had so much fun doing them. It was a fun pre-wedding activity that I did with my sisters and mom. At the last minute, I realized I had run out of flowers for my wedding bouquet so I sent my husband to go pick out white roses from the floral wholesaler  – so I thought it was cute I got to walk down the aisle with flowers he had picked out himself (: 

My Dad & Brother | Honorable Mention: Not technically vendors, but they built everything for the wedding – the bars, the escort card display, the DJ booth – all in the months leading up to the wedding! I would come to them with an idea and they would make it happen without a question. I can’t thank them enough! They were there the morning of the wedding setting everything up and worked so so hard making it all come together, whether it was literally chopping down trees out of our yard to hang in the tent or figuring out how to transport the massive escort card display! To top it all off, on the way to the wedding, the delivery truck with all the big items got a flat tire on the side of 64, so they went into problem-solving mode and rented a U-haul and somehow got everything delivered – all while making sure the bride was blissfully unaware of the chaos! 

To Mary and Matthew,

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for choosing me to capture the magic of your wedding day. It was an absolute honor and joy to document such a special moment in your lives. Wishing you both a lifetime filled with love, laughter, and endless happiness. Remember, I’m here for all your future events and milestones, so please reach out whenever you want to create and capture more beautiful memories 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 savoring each and every detail with the ones you love!
Xo,
Ashley

(Blog designed & Written by Sarah of Aligned Artists)