Matt and Jen- Richmond VA Wedding Photographer

Her joy is contagious. From the moment I first met Jen back in July for their engagement pictures she came across as one of the most joyful people I’d ever met, and Matt brings it out of her like no one else. So it didn’t surprise me at all when she greeted me on Saturday with the biggest hug and squeal of excitement! She was about to marry her best friend, and she could. not. WAIT!  Jen and Matt make my job SO darn easy, because they instantly forget the camera is there and get wrapped up in the moment and one another.  They’ve known each other for 10 years and truly are best friends, and it was such a blessing to celebrate with these two people that I’m so thankful to call my friends!

I’m so excited that the talented Heidi Naylor was able to tag along with me for the day, and Jen truly went above and beyond with the SWEETEST little personalized gifts for each of us! It just goes to show how thoughtful she and Matt are and how well they care about the people around them. Jen and Matt, thank you THANK YOU for sharing your lives with me! I’m blessed to know you both :0)
Jen’s gorgeous gown required a little bit of fluffing to get it to lay just right ;0)
um HELLOOOO gorgeous! Jen, you are STUNNING! I could tell right away what a special relationship Jen has with her mom.. love this moment right after she fit Jen’s veil: 
I really don’t think I took a SINGLE bad picture of Jen.. so beautiful! Jen and Matt were married at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center and there were so many fun spots for pictures right around the little town! Possibly one of my all time favorite ceremony shots.. love this one of Matt and his brother as Jen is walking down the aisle: I know I don’t usually show family portraits on the blog, but I had to show this one of Jen and her mama: Jen and Matt opted not to do a first look which is totally fine because they budgeted almost a solid hour just for portraits of the two of them! We had plenty of time to relax and walk around and really take advantage of a few quiet minutes before the reception for lots of great portraits :0) love it :0) 
I would even attempt to name my favorites… just assume from here on out that they’re ALL favorites ;0) I found this one street of homes right next to the center that had a little more privacy and SO many great spots, that we spent almost the whole hour there! sweetness:
oh man, I know I said I wasn’t going to name favorites, but this is one for SURE!
LOVE my fearless brides!! (side note: no dresses were harmed in the making of this next picture) ;0) After we were done with portraits she changed into this fun little number for the reception! :0) had to squeeze in just a few more pictures in her party dress! The fabulous Emily Loda of The Sweetest Course did the cake and let me tell you, it was AMAZING! Anything from cookies to elaborate wedding cakes, Emily is definitely the one to go to if you’re looking for something sweet! Apparently all my couples are secretly also professional dancers, because Jen and Matt were PROS on the dance floor! They were telling me how they hadn’t practiced anything for their first dance and were just going to wing it, and then busted out with all kinds of dance steps!  Even at the end of the evening they did a little impromptu “Dirty Dancing” finale dance! I was so impressed! :0) 
Congratulations again! Here’s your slideshow! :0)

A big thanks to some of the people who helped make their day extra special:
Venue: Hanover Arts and Activities Center
Makeup: Emily Hudspeth
Hair: Kelly Baker- Lorraine’s SpaSalon
Catering: Dale Goodrich- Goodrich Gourmet Catering
Cake: Emily Loda- The Sweetest Course

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  1. […] this fun couple from last April? Well I was thrilled beyond thrilled to see them again and help them celebrate their first wedding […]

  2. Donna Kimble says:

    Pictures are great!!! I love the one with Matt and his brother as Jen was walking down the aisle. Great job to the both of you!!

  3. KIM JOHNSON says:

    I HAVE NEVER MET JEN, BUT WORK WITH MATT & WHAT A TRUE JOY HE IS EVEN IN THE WORKPLACE…THERE IS A LIGHT IN MATT THAT SHINES SOOOOO BRIGHT…I AM CERTAIN JEN IS THE SAME! BEAUTIFUL PICTURES…

  4. Mark Abernathey says:

    Fantastic!! Matt your face was shot, the red eyes and the tears… (Congratulations brother!) You two look very happy! I wish only the best for you both!!

  5. diana kestner says:

    Matt ,,, those pictures are absolutely Beautiful !!!! Congratulations !!!!!!

  6. Brett H. says:

    Awesome pictures! Really capture how great the day was. Congrats to the handsome bride and beautiful groom!

  7. Tashie says:

    Amazing pictures! And an amazing wedding:D

  8. Beth Mitchem says:

    Congrats Matt and Jen:):)
    Matt-so happy you have found your soul mate:) You are a wonderful guy that deserves a wonderful girl – a girl who loves your sense of humor:):) You are a funny guy:):) Glad Richmond is treating you well-Miss ya kid-we need Lindsay to have another party so I can catch up with you and meet Jen:) Congrats Again-enjoy every minute of your new life with each other
    Sincerely, Beth Mitchem

  9. Sarah Lambert says:

    Very nice pictures!

  10. CC says:

    These photos capture the true meaning of “Life is not about the breaths we take, rather the moments that take our breath away”
    Simply beautiful!

  11. Judie Willis says:

    Great photos!! I loved the slideshow and image 6411 was my absolute favorite (the one with the two of you in a field of color and a tree to your right). I don’t scrapbook and even I could do a fabulous scrapbook of y’all using these photos!

  12. Kristy says:

    Beautiful pictures! Congratulations Jen & Matt!

  13. Chrystal Grove says:

    Jessie, I found it just as difficult to pin point down just a few favorite pictures so I decided to have them ALL be my favorites too! You did an amazing job and thankyou sooo much for making their wedding day so special for Jen and Matt. The ceremony and the pictures remind me of what is truly important in a marriage…the deep devoted love that we have for the person we chose to share the rest of our life with. So, from the bottom of my heart…thankyou for sharing the pictures and the slide show.

  14. Lindsay Lawson says:

    Beautiful, beautiful pictures!! You did an AMAZING job Jessie!!! Congrats to Matt & Jen!

  15. Marcy says:

    The picture of Matt and his brother still makes me tear up! Great pictures!

  16. Meghan says:

    The pictures are amazing. You really captured the love they share for each other. They are all so great!

  17. E13 says:

    What a beautiful day! Great pictures, great people and such an awesome theme! The colors are perfect and you are both very photogenic. Congratulations!

  18. Matt says:

    WOW! Thank you so much for everything, Jessie! The slideshow was absolutely amazing!!!

  19. Kimberly Reece says:

    Absolutely incredible!

  20. Jen says:

    Ohhhhhhhh my! I don’t even know where to start! Jessie, you’re amazing – thank you SO much for your wonderful pictures and kind words! Love love love them all! Thank you!!!

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