The Belmont Country Club Wedding

I met Melinda and Daniel during their Engagement Session at Bluemont Vineyards(where we got rained out) and then Occoquan Regional Park. We had fun immediately. This great couple was ready to have fun during our Engagement Session, which is just to be able to laugh, cuddle, and kiss…with me watching you. LOL! They nailed it!

As their Spring 2020 Wedding date approached, concern for their wedding guests prompted them to postpone their event until September 2020. The Ceremony was outdoors at The Belmont Country Club. The week of the wedding we were all concerned about possible rain, even the morning of things were unsure. But thankfully the weather held out and it was a beautiful overcast early fall day.

Melinda and Daniel chose bright colors since their date was originally for the Spring time, but it still looked so cheerful for a late summer event. Teal, orange, and pink. Checkout the Groom’s ring too. Thin blue line that represents him as a police officer, really unique. I’ve never seen a ring like it.

During their engagement session I learned that Melinda’s Mom is legally blind. So during the getting ready portion of the day, I knew I wanted to capture some special moments between the two of them. Melinda helped put her Mom’s necklace on and then once Melinda was in her dress she did the same for her daughter. It was also super sweet that Melinda chose her Mom to be her Matron of honor. I loved how Mom received this.

We did a First Look with the Bridesmaids. This gorgeous Bridal Suite had amazing light that bounced everywhere. I set all the bridesmaids up, and asked them to turn around to face Melinda and all the tears started flowing. So much emotion is packed into little moments like that. Mom began to cry too with all the girls oohs and aahs. A few minutes later, Melinda’s Dad got to see her and it ended a long warm embrace.

To begin the ceremony, all the bridesmaids and the bride hopped into golf carts and drove to the end of the aisle. Each couple walked down the aisle and either found their seat or stood near the altar. Lots of smiles and a few tears of joy. But once they exchanged vows and rings and sealed it with a kiss, the cheering started. The couple really wanted one shot that had all the guests in it, so as they walked back down the aisle, I asked them to stop and share a kiss and got the wide shot.

During Cocktail Hour I took all the Family Formals, Bridal Party Portraits, and Couple’s Portraits. Since they chose a traditional timeline, we had to squeeze a lot out of that hour before the reception started. It all worked out and they even had a few minutes to rest before the Reception began.

While I was outside having my dinner, I watched the skies for any signs of a sunset. All of the sudden the sun peeked through the clouds and was bright magenta. I ran inside and grabbed my light stand and took a moment to get my settings set up. Then I sprinted back inside and compelled Melinda and Daniel to come with me. I told them to look at the sunset and stand here. I took about 15 shots and then the sunset was over. It’s incredible that they trusted me to get this shot for them. They didn’t even mind that I interrupted their dinner. People’s trust is the greatest compliment.

Lots of laughs during toasts and they danced the night away. The bride’s family is from Pittsburgh so there was a massive cookie table. So many varieties of yummy sugary concoctions. The last dance of the night was the Hora. A traditionally Jewish dance that features the Bride and Groom hoisted into the air by friends and family while Hava Nagila was played by the DJ.