Deep connection, quality time, and heartfelt moments. Those are the things that stand out most when I think back to Brett and Kimberly’s wedding at Carriage Stone Farm in Luray, Virginia.

They chose to have a small, intimate wedding away from it all, out in the beautiful rolling hills of the Shenandoah Valley. They wanted an escape, a time where they could dedicate not just to getting married, but to sharing precious time with those they love most.

The events started for me not at Carriage Stone Farm, but at Madeline Farms, a sister property just 10 minutes away. Brett and Kimberly stayed the weekend at this working farm with their immediate families, sharing meals together and enjoying quality time with each other “where nature meets comfort”. It’s a perfect spot to do just that and I loved the easygoing images of togetherness that I was able to document at Madeline Farms.

From there we made the short drive to Carriage Stone Farm for the ceremony and reception. Brett was overjoyed to see a few lifelong friends who surprised him by making a long trip to their wedding. This was a small gathering, with the ceremony outdoors in front of an old stone fireplace and warm evening light bringing us close to dusk. After some portraits around the farm we moved indoors to share conversation and a family style meal. It was an evening full of images of connection between friends who don’t often get to share time together. These images only increase in value as time goes on and I’m so grateful to have been able to document it all.