Norfolk Botanial Garden Wedding Portraits - Norfolk Wedding Photographer

Norfolk Botanial Garden Wedding Portraits - Norfolk Wedding Photographer

Norfolk Botanical Garden Wedding Portraits, Bride & Groom

A few weeks ago I shared some images from Hyosik and Rahee’s sunset beach session. Today, I’m sharing part two of their wedding photos, which were taken during a separate session at the always lovely Norfolk Botanical Garden.

Norfolk Botanical Garden, Renaissance Court Wedding Photography

Norfolk Botanical Garden is beautiful year round, but these portraits were taken in early October. It was actually unseasonably warm and in the 90s that day. You wouldn’t know it from their photos, but we were all melting during our shoot!

We started our bride and groom portraits in the Renaissance Court, which is a beautiful formal garden where many wedding ceremonies are held. Our sunset beach shoot was playful and informal, and the couple wanted something a bit more traditional from our photo session at the garden.

After spending time at Renaissance Court, we made our way to the romantic rose garden as the sun began to set.

Rahee & Hyosik were an absolute joy to photograph. They are truly lovely people inside and out. Having had a very private and intimate wedding ceremony, without photos, they wanted an opportunity to capture some wedding portraits they could use for an album, and share with family and friends, many of whom reside in Korea.

Norfolk Botanical Garden, Rose Garden Bride and Groom Wedding Portraits

The Rose Garden at NBG is absolutely stunning, and I love that it is still so full of color in the fall months! It is a perfect location for wedding portraits.

Following our time in the rose garden, Kyosik and Rahee changed into their traditional Korean wedding hanbok for some final portraits near Baker Hall. I really love these beautiful portraits that celebrate their Korean heritage.

Thank you for visiting! If you would like to see more photography from Norfolk Botanical Garden, pop over to this post. If you enjoyed this post, please share it.

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Romantic Beach Elopement Session, Virginia Beach Photographer

Romantic Beach Elopement Session, Virginia Beach Photographer

I have the loveliest beach elopement session to share with you today! Rahee & Kyosik wanted some beautiful, romantic images to celebrate their marriage. For the best variety in their final album, we decided to split their session package between two locations. We ended up scheduling a mini beach session, plus another full hour at Norfolk Botanical Garden. Today, I’m sharing a few shots from our romantic sunset beach shoot.

While they claimed to be a bit nervous about being in front the camera, they were in fact, absolute naturals. It’s hard to fake true love, and their connection and ease with one another, is what shines through in all of their images.

They let me know ahead of our session that they were totally game for getting wet! So we headed into the waves toward the end of our shoot.

I love these fun, carefree shots we grabbed at sunset!

Thank you Rahee & Kyosik for an amazing session! It was truly a pleasure to get to know you both. - XOXO, Melissa

If you enjoyed this session, check back soon for more from images our Norfolk Botanical Garden wedding shoot - they were stunning in their official Korean wedding handbok.

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If you would like to find out more about our wedding photography services, contact us today! Serving VA & NC. Available for travel destinations worldwide.

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Norfolk Engagement Photographer - Waterside District Intimate Photo Session

Norfolk Engagement Photographer

Waterside District Intimate Photo Session

Madison and Zack's Norfolk Waterside District Photo Session was last weekend. I had a blast shooting downtown with these two. They were so laid back and they looked amazing! Not to mention that they are clearly mad about each other. And what's more beautiful than love??

 Here are some sneak peeks from our session on the Norfolk waterfront. Enjoy!

These two totally rocked their session and I am loving how their gallery is shaping up.

And guess what? After we shot around the Waterside District for a bit, Madison and Zack eloped right on the lawn downtown! It was amazing!

Congratulations Madison and Zack! I wish you many happy years together. - XOXO, Melissa

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Intimate Norfolk Military Elopement - Virginia Wedding Photographer

Intimate Norfolk Military Elopement - Virginia Wedding Photographer

These two beautiful souls were married during a small private ceremony at the chapel on Norfolk Naval Base. While their elopement was to be a private affair, they did want some creative photos to celebrate their union. Devon and Andrew were high school sweethearts, and have been close for years. Andrew will soon be heading to Chicago, so they decided to tie the knot before the move. They will begin a new adventure as Mr. & Mrs. 

When we chatted about their session, they told me they wanted something outdoors and romantic, possibly at the beach. Not familiar with the area (they are both from Texas), they left the location up to me.

We did luck out with an unseasonably warm winter day for our session, but it was windy and I knew the beach would be unbearable. First Landing State Park was the perfect spot for some pretty water views, but also some trees and grasses to break the wind a bit. 

 The sun was out when we began our session, but the skies quickly turned overcast and the wind picked up. These two didn't mind though. As the chill came on, they snuggled into a familiar embrace to keep each other warm. I love how sweet and light-hearted they are together!

I must say, windy days are my favorite for shooting. I love how the wind dances with hair and fabric, adding movement and atmosphere to images. 

And this couple....so gorgeous!! I had a seriously difficult time culling down images for this blog post. The one below is definitely a fave from this session.

What a beautiful reminder of an important chapter in their love story. I hope they hang it big where they can see it often.

After getting some waterside shots, we headed to the woods to change things up a bit. I love the variety of natural beauty that abounds at First Landing. The Spanish Moss is magical and those earthy tones make my soul happy. 

We finished up back by the water for sunset. Even though it was cloudy and overcast, there was a warm golden glow that was lovely. 

I am so grateful that I got to meet and work with this charming couple to create some meaningful photographs for them. 

Congratulations Devon & Andrew! Sending all my best wishes to you for good fortune and many happy days together. - XO Melissa

VA Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer - Destination Wedding Photographer

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Wedding and Elopement Photography services in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Williamsburg, Richmond, Charlottesville and world wide. 

Virginia Wedding Photographer - Snowy Winter Elopement in Hampton Roads

Virginia Wedding Photographer - Snowy Winter Elopement

On a cold and snowy day, Tia and Eric exchanged vows in a quiet little ceremony in Virginia Beach. Though the atmosphere outside was cold and brisk, the warmth these two radiate was as big as the sun. It was an honor to witness their marriage ceremony, and to be able to record these special memories for them. 

They traveled from North Carolina, to be married close to family. The ceremony took place at a quaint Virginia Beach home.

After the elopement ceremony, we headed to nearby Regent University for some outdoor wedding portraits. The snowy white landscape was a gorgeous backdrop for our session! I just love that clean, crisp snow blanketing the cool evergreens. 

Don't they look amazing?!

We shot outside around the snowy campus, until our noses and toes were numb. Then we popped indoors for a few quick shots, and a little dramatic window light, until we warmed up again.

What a beautiful and memorable day it was! Congratulations Tia and Eric!! May your hearts always be warm with love. - XOXO Melissa

Virginia & Destination Wedding and Lifestyle Portrait Photographer

Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Moments in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

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Intimate Virginia Beach Oceanfront Wedding

Intimate Virginia Beach Oceanfront Wedding 

I have been so busy this fall that I have a backlog of sessions and weddings to blog. Things are just starting to calm down a bit and it is high time I shared this beautiful, intimate, sundrenched beach wedding with you! 

When I met Elaina and Matthew at Cure Coffee to chat about their wedding plans, I knew it was going to be an emotional event. They had been together for many years, and I could tell the bond they shared was deep. In fact, they had been together so long that their friends and co-workers had practically given up on them ever getting married.

They planned a small beach ceremony just for immediate family, and kept everything hush, hush. That way, they could surprise their friends and extended family with a big announcement and party in the spring. Of course, wedding photos were important! They would need proof after all. :)

They were married on a gorgeous, sunny September day at the oceanfront in Virginia Beach.  When I say sunny, it was full sun for the ceremony. Not exactly ideal lighting conditions, but I love how the contrast of the harsh light brings out the blue sky! 

Their personal vows were so sweet, heartfelt, and funny - there was laughter and tears all the way through. 

After they tied the knot - yay, finally! - we headed toward the dunes for some family portraits. 

By the time we were through, the sun was setting and softening.

That glorious golden glow was perfect for some intimate bride and groom portraits!

We took full advantage of all that buttery sunset light! I have to say, September beach days are my favorite. The beach is calmer, less crowded, and the light is just stunning!

It was such an honor to witness and photograph this beautiful wedding! Congratulations Elaina and Matthew! All my best wishes for many happy years as Mr. & Mrs.  - XOXO, Melissa 

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Virginia Wedding and Lifestyle Portrait Photographer

Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Moments in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

If you would like to find out more about our wedding photography services, contact us today! Serving VA & NC. Available for travel destinations worldwide.

Virginia Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photographer, Williamsburg Wedding Photographer, Norfolk Wedding Photographers, Virginia Beach Wedding Photographers, Sandbridge Wedding Photographer, Portsmouth Wedding Photographers

Virginia Beach Wedding Photographer - Rainy Day Elopement

Virginia Beach Wedding Photographer - Rainy Day Elopement

"When I follow my heart it leads me to you."

Shelby and Jeramie had a year long engagement and planned on having a wedding to celebrate the start of their lives together. She was living in Florida and he was in Virginia, in between travelings for missions with the Marine Corps, When they realized he would be transferred across country, they decided to elope in Virginia and have a small family celebration before moving together to California. 

I chatted with Shelby on the phone a few times and we traded emails to plan a lovely outdoor ceremony and photo session on the day they tied the knot. Unfortunately, our well laid out plans were scrambled by some unexpected events and then some bad weather. They ended up having a small courthouse ceremony without any professional photos. I very much wanted to capture some gorgeous images for these two though, to commemorate their official union. Even though rain was in the forecast, I suggested that we meet at Regent University for a portrait session. I knew the campus would be green and lovely, and there would be some cover nearby in case of wet weather.

As it turned out, we did get wet. But it was a sweet, light rain that just added to the romantic atmosphere of the afternoon. Shelby and Jeramie love the way their portraits turned out, and so do I! 

These two gorgeous people were a joy to spend time with. I wish them many years of happiness together! Congrats Shelby and Jeramie!

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