November 1, 2022

Buena Vista Mansion Wedding

Posted in: Weddings

You might want to grab the tissues for this one.

Shanna and Michael’s wedding day was so beautiful. The historic antebellum mansion. The hints of olive and navy blue. The bride’s fabulous shoes and sparkly dress. Everything looked beautiful, but there were a few beautiful moments throughout the day that would make anyone present teary-eyed.

As Michael stood in anticipation waiting to see Shanna for the first time, I told him how beautiful she looked and how it was sweet that they both teared up reading the hand-written letters they had given each other. Michael’s eyes started welling up. He wiped his tears and shook it off just before Shanna walked down the stairs to meet him. After seeing his gorgeous bride, Michael teared up again.

During the ceremony, I watched Michael as he waited for Shanna to appear at the doorway. You could see the excitement. He fought back tears as she emerged and he smiled as big as he could. Proof that it is possible to get the best of both worlds with a first look and that first glimpse of the bride walking down the aisle.

The final sweet moment didn’t leave a dry eye at the reception. Immediately following Shanna and Michael’s first dance, Michael surprised Shanna’s 12-year-old daughter, Abella, by reading a hand-written letter aloud. In this letter, he shared the story of how they met and he made promises to her as her dad. I don’t remember the exact words he said as I was fighting back tears myself, but I know he promised to love her, protect her, and always be there for her. After reading the letter, he gave her a ring (that matched her mom’s wedding band!) and led her to the dance floor for the father-daughter dance. Moments later, Shanna and her step-father joined them. “Step by Step” by Brandon Davis played and the lyrics made the entire moment even sweeter.

Shanna and Michael, thank you so much for asking me to be your photographer! I was thrilled when you asked me to photograph your engagement session and wedding day! Everything was absolutely beautiful and I’m still obsessing over Shanna’s sparkly dress. I hope you have a relaxing honeymoon in Blue Ridge and I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together!

The Creative Team:

Photography | Ashley Brooke Photography

Second Photographer | Ashton Payne

Venue | Buena Vista Mansion

Floral Design | Faye Chandler

DJ | MJM Entertainment

Cake | Ashlyn’s Cake Cottage

Catering | Yancy Green

Bride’s Dress | David’s Bridal

Bridesmaids | David’s Bridal

Groom and Groomsmen | Men’s Wearhouse

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