Jenny & Danny | Wedding at James River Cellars Winery in Glen Allen | Sarah Kane Photography

It's all in the details! We've all heard that saying and I agree 100%. Jenny & Danny's wedding at James River Cellars was all about, friends, love and DETAILS!! Fall is my favorite time of year which made Jenny & Danny's fall country themed wedding all that more exciting for me! They had mums, pumpkins, corn kernels, coffee beans, candles, gourds (as flower vases), burlap, and circular pieces of wood. Everything looked so beautiful! What was even more amazing was the decor was all Jenny. Well, not all Jenny. Danny built a beautiful archway made of shutters for the wedding party to walk through on the way to the ceremony. Amazing!!! The James River Cellar was the perfect location for Jenny & Danny's outdoor fall country wedding! When having an outdoor wedding there is always the risk of rain which seemed to be a real threat for Jenny & Danny's wedding day. The sky was overcast most of the day, but the rain was holding out until about 20 minutes before the ceremony that is. When Mother Nature began to unleash her furry Jenny very calmly said, "let's give it 15 minutes" before moving everything under the tent. Just as quickly as abruptly as it stormed in the rain vanished and Jenny & Danny's outdoor wedding went as planned. 

A new tradition as started where many couples are opting to do a "first look" before the ceremony while others take the more traditional approach and wait to see each other for the first time walking down the aisle. Many, like Jenny & Danny, blend the two and have a 'blind first look". A blind first look allows couples to connect  by holding hands without actually seeing each other. Jenny & Danny met under a tree moments before their ceremony. I love blind "first looks" they add to the excitement and anticipation of the day.  I wish I could go back and do this for my wedding! 

Jenny & Danny's wedding ceremony was perfect and the reception was lots of fun! Jenny & Danny are fortunate to be surrounded by family who loves them and friendships that extend beyond 25 years! Friendships are so important and facebook allows us to stay in touch after high school or college, moving away, marriages and kids. It's nice to see what people are up to and know that they are well. There's something to be said though for friendships that last for decades without the need or help of facebook. People who have kept in touch, remained close and eventually become your family. I have to admit that I'm a bit jealous of these friendships.  I moved around a couple times as a kid and although I'm thankful that I am able to stay connected with many friends from the past, it's not the same. It was a lot of fun to watch and photograph these Jenny & Danny with these friends. The connection they all share could never be broken and translated as such through my camera.

Congratulations Jenny & Danny! Here's to lasting friendships and lasting love. I wish you both much love and happiness for a lifetime!

Love this wedding day survival kit. I especially love the vintage case it's in!!

These guys were too funny together!

The blind "first look"

Here comes the bride and the real first look!

You're gonna love these details!

This may be the best cake feeding EVER!

Let's Dance. Put on your red shoes..

"I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark we're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks (massive drum beat) I REALY NEED YOU TONIGHT! Forever's gonna start tonight. Forever's gonna start" Perhaps I'm dating myself here, but this has to be one of the greatest songs of all time!!! I wanted to hand my camera off to anyone who would take it and sing my heart out with these ladies!

THRILLER. Thriller Time. Another classic. I so wish I could have been a guest at this wedding :)

More dancing!

View Jenny & Danny's barn engagement session with their adorable pup here  

Vendor Information

Venue - James River Cellars

Bride's dress - David's Bridal

Men's attire - Men's Wearhouse

Florist - Jean Loonam

Cater - Buzz and Neds BBQ

Wedding Planner - Sarah DeKeyser

Cake - Tiers of Joy

Special thanks to my second shooter Jaclyn Brown!

Kaitlin & Brian | Wedding at The Manor House at Kings Charter Mechanicsville VA | Sarah Kane Photography

The Manor House at Kings Charter in Mechanicsville is the perfect venue for an intimate elegant wedding and those are the words I would use to describe Kaitlin & Brian's wedding. Kaitlin & Brian celebrated the beginning of their lives together as husband and wife, with their closest friends and family, in the quaintness of the Manor House.  

Kaitlin & Brian's wedding was so unique and representative of who they are. Each table setting was decorated with pictures of them as children. Instead of signing a book or a matted frame guests wrote messages on wooden hearts that were then slid into a frame Plunko style (a Price is Right reference) and Kaitlin made all of the table runners. I learned that Kaitlin has been sewing since she was 8-years-old. Not only did she sew the table runners, but she made her flower girl's dress! I only wish I had that kind of talent. Kaitlin used her creativity to jazz up her accessories by adding buttons so her earrings and hair piece would match! The detail Kaitlin & Brian put into their wedding was just phenomenal. Another personal touch was the cake topper of a bride, groom, cat and a dog. Kaitlin & Brian included their furry children into their engagement session and it made me smile to see them make their presence on top of the cake. The details didn't stop with the reception though, the ceremony space was strung with beautiful purple flowered garland and an elegant chandelier hung behind them as they exchanged vows.  The décor was perfect, the weather was perfect and the lighting was amazing! Everything was just beautiful.

If there's anything I love more than a beautifully decorated and planned wedding it's an emotional filled wedding day where family and friends are overwhelmed with so much love that they are unable to contain it. Kaitlin & Brian's friends and family's love for them was transparent and I am thankful I was there to capture their raw emotion on camera. Especially Brian's. His expression when he saw Kaitlin for the first time would melt anyone's heart.

Thank you Kaitlin & Brian for allowing me to be a part your special day. I wish you much love and happiness together!

Layla took her flower girl responsibilities very seriously and made sure Brian or any of the men did not see Kaitlin before the ceremony!

Kaitlin & Brian exchange gifts delivered by their ring bearer and flower girl!

Time to see the beautiful bride!

Wedding time!

Get your tissue out, there will be tears!

Kaitlin & Brian were sharing a quiet  moment together before the reception. I couldn't resist sneaking a picture!

View Kaitlin & Brian's Engagement Here

Vendors

Ceremony & Reception The Manor House at Kings Charter 

Bride's Dress Design by Sincerity Bridal Purchased at Tiffany's Bridal 

Bridesmaids Dresses J Crew

Groomsmen Attire Men's Wearhouse

Florist Vogue Flowers 

Hair and Makeup Faces by Joy

Cake Sweet Temptations

Catering Edwards Catering

Invitations Copy Cat

Special thanks to my second shooter Jessica Norrell

Alicia & Drew | Wedding at The Mill at Fine Creek | Powhatan VA | Sarah Kane Photography

Can I just tell you how excited I was knowing that I was going to be photographing a wedding at The Mill at Fine Creek in Powhatan? The Mill at Fine Creek is an absolutely gorgeous venue for a wedding! Add a couple who is just as gorgeous such as Alicia & Drew and I was in heaven. When I first arrived I could not wait to start shooting. From the cottages, to the trees, to the beautiful ruins I was completely over stimulated and didn't know where to start first.  I could have spent 5 hours just on the details alone. Since the wedding was only 5 hours  I managed to pull myself together and head upstairs to the bridal suite. As I opened the door I was excited to see that the room was just as adorable as the rest of the cottage. Then I saw Alicia and was blown away by her beauty! She looked absolutely stunning.  I didn't think she could possibly look any better and then she put on her dress. Alicia's dress was exquisite, she emitted so much elegance and radiance which fits her perfectly.

 I was also excited to see her two sweet and hilariously charming daughters Anna and Reese again. Alicia & Drew chose to include Anna and Reese in their engagement session which is where we were first introduced. I knew after that session that they were going to provide me the opportunity for some fabulous images and I was anything but disappointed! Not only did they include them in the engagement session, but the ceremony as well. Anna was a bridesmaid along with Alicia's sister, Drew's younger sister and Reese was the flower girl.

Alicia & Drew could not have chosen a more perfect place for their intimate, quaint and romantic wedding! I was so excited that Alicia & Drew chose to do a "first look" before the ceremony. The look on Drew's face when he saw Alicia was priceless.  The best part is when Alicia & Drew saw each other during the ceremony their wasn't a lack of excitement or surprise at all. You wouldn't have even known they already saw each other. Having the first look ahead of time also allowed us more time for bride and groom portraits. This was good seeing as it was an outdoor evening wedding and we were racing against the sun.

The ceremony took place in the ruins that were strung with globe bulb lights that made me feel as though I was walking through the back allies in Italy. Love was definitely in the air that night and everyone was filled with so much emotion. It was a beautiful ceremony and I have to admit I got a little teary eyed when Drew presented Anna and Reese each with a necklace followed by very touching words. Everything was perfect!  Congratulations Alicia, Drew, Anna and Reese, I am so happy for your new family! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your event.

And now the groom!

The necklaces Drew presented to the girls!

It's almost time...

The girls were so excited and decided to surprise Drew with a "first look" of their own!

The real First Look

Get ready, these are gorgeous!!!

The Ceremony

Get ready for some more gorgeousness!

Party time!

Ending the evening with bubbles

Vendors

Flowers  Martins

Hair & Makeup  Abraham Sprinkle

Cupcakes  Frostings

Bride's Dress  Caryn's Bridal

Bridesmaids Dresses  Nordstrom

Groomsmen Attire  Men's Wearhouse

View Alicia & Drew's Engagement Session Here

Special thanks to my second shooter Marek Kunicki

Emily & Travis | Robinson Theater | Richmond VA Wedding | Sarah Kane Photography

Last Saturday I had the honor of photographing Emily & Travis's wedding at the historic Robinson Theater located in Churchill of Richmond VA. The Robinson Theater not only serves as a venue for wedding receptions, but also a community center with a focus on the arts. The marquee outside of the theater showcasing Emily & Travis's wedding was so symbolic for how they met.  Their story is one you only see in the movies, so it is only right that they celebrate in a historic theater. Oh and the marquee also made for quite the picture!

Emily & Travis live in Harrisonburg, so our first meeting together was on Skype. I knew right away they were the perfect couple for me they were beyond sweet and had a simple approach to life! I was immediately drawn in and hooked when they told me how they met. Emily and Travis attended Eastern Mennonite University but had never met until January 2012 when they went with a group of students from EMU to study in the Middle East for four months. They immediately connected and started falling in love from Egypt to Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Greece and Italy! They returned and have been inseparable ever since and very much in love! Do you feel your heart melting yet?  At the reception Emily & Travis's center pieces represented each city they visited together as a couple.

Emily & Travis chose Woodland Heights Baptist church in Richmond for their wedding because it is the same church her grandparents were married in and also her parents! That's three generations now married there. Emily also had two cameos, from both her mother and father's side of the family pinned to her bouquet. This next part I absolutely love because I am a big fan of old buttons! Just as the rings are a symbol of their covenant to each other they wanted something they could keep that symbolized the covenant their family and friends are also making upon their marriage. Emily & Travis will be having their vows framed and asked everyone attending to bring a special button. The buttons will be glued to the frame (after the wedding of course) to create a beautifully symbolic mosaic!

There were so many symbols of love and memories incorporated into Emily & Travis's wedding that were so meaningful to them. Emily & Travis's family and friends tossed bird seed as the newly weds ran for cover in Emily's vintage 1991 Volvo (did I really just say vintage? Man I feel old!!) named Veni that was decorated by some vandals also knows as the bridal party.

It has been so nice getting to know Emily & Travis they are good people and have made my life richer by having met them. Much love and happiness to you Emily & Travis! Now let's meet Mr. and Mrs. Nyce (pronounced "nice" which describes them both perfectly) shall we?

Time for the veil!

A beautiful calming moment of prayer surrounded by love!

Here we go!!

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Nyce!!!

This next picture is a replica of a picture taken of Emily's grandparents on their wedding day!

Time to celebrate!!

A special guest had a very important toast to give!

Family & Friends View all of the images here! You'll need the passcode from the gallery cards! Please email me for assistance. sarahkanephotography@Verizon.net

View Emily & Travis's Engagement Session Here!

Ceremony: Woodland Heights Baptist Church

Reception: Robinson Theater Community Arts Center

Dress: Church Street Bridal In Lynchburg VA

Florist: Designs by Janice

Hair & Makeup: Mandie-Lynn Waagner

DJ: Uncle David Jackson

Cake: Shyndigz

Tuxedos: Classic Tuxedo, Harrisonburg VA

Invitation Design: Kayci Detweiler

Special thanks to my second shooter Jessica Norrell!

Wedding Photography Questions & Answers

Q: What is your style of photography?

A: My style of photography is a blend of photojournalistic and traditional.  I will tell your entire story beginning with the bride getting ready to the final farewell leaving the reception as husband and wife.  I put heavy emphasis on candid images and capture moments as they happen staying away from too much staging.  When you look through your images you will see your wedding through not only your eyes, but the eyes of your guests.  Although I focus on candid images I also schedule time for formal portraits of the bride and groom, bridal party and family members. The details that you've worked so hard on to make your wedding unique are an important part of your story too therefore I make sure I take pictures of things like the invitation, bridal jewelry, shoes, flowers, favors, cake and more!

Q. Do you shoot film or digital?

A. Digital only

Q. Do you have a contract?

A. YES!! Whether your photographer is $200 or$7000 make sure you sign a contract. A contract protects the couple as much as the photographer.

Q. How many weddings will you shoot the day of my wedding?

A.  I am not a "show up and shoot" kind of photographer.  I am focused on creating an unforgettable experience for my couples and take time to establish a relationship before the wedding.  In order to do this I schedule a limited number of weddings per year and never shoot more than one wedding a day.

Q. Do you work from a shot list?

A. Yes and No.  I have a list of "must get shots" which are standard in most weddings (ex: bride/groom getting ready, walking down the aisle, exchange of rings, first kiss, exiting ceremony, formal portraits, entering reception, first dance, cake cutting, champagne toast, speeches, bouquet toss, garter toss, dancing during reception, guests who aren't dancing but enjoying from the audience, bride and groom's final exit) and everything else in between! These shots come second nature to me and I don't need a physical list, however I will have a small check list of important items or shots my couples would like emphasis on and are unique to their wedding such as special people, moments, jewelry or other important items that may be included. I also work from a list for the formal portraits. My couples complete a wedding timeline and questionnaire 30 days before the wedding. This includes when and where bride/groom will get ready, time and place formals will occur, names and groups of people to be photographed for formals. There is often not much time allowed for formals, so to keep things moving quickly and smoothly I will have a list of everyone's names and the order in which they will be photographed along with any special shots my couples are hoping to capture. I do not have a list of "posed" photographs that I will stage. I focus on all of the things that are occurring naturally throughout the day so that I can document the entire story as it unfolds.

Q. Do you bring your own lighting?

A. I am a natural light photographer, meaning I work with the natural light available whenever possible.  I also use on and off camera flash when necessary (typically during the reception) when natural light is not available. I do not bring and set up studio lighting with umbrellas etc. This takes time that is not often available and is not conducive to my style of photography.

 Q. Do you have backup equiptment?

A. Yes! I always have a back up camera, flash, and plenty of batteries.

Q. How many images can I expect to receive from my wedding?

A. You can expect to receive a total of between 800-1000 edited images.

Q.  Will I get to see all of the images taken from the wedding?

A.  On the day of your wedding we will take between 2000-4000 images.  I will cull through the images and select the best out of each grouping of pictures taken. For example, if I take 20 images of the cake cutting I will choose the best 5-10 images to edit and include in your final gallery. 

Q. What is your plan if you are ill or if there is an emergency and you cannot photography my wedding?

A.  In the event that there was a true emergency I have a network of photographers on hand and would make every effort to secure a replacement. If you wanted to find someone on your own (if there was enough time) I would refund 100% of your deposit. With the exception of The Intimate Wedding Experience I always shoot with a second photographer, so in the event that something were to occur on the way (terrible to think but the show must go on) such as a car accident there would be at least one photographer present if a second photographer was not available in such short notice.  

Q. What would be a reason you would cancel your photography services?

A. The only way I would not photograph a wedding is if I were gravely ill, physically unable to perform my duties, or experienced a death or life threatening illness of one of my immediate family members (husband or 2 children). In the event of any of these unimaginable occurrences I would follow the same procedure as in the previous question.

Q. How much is the deposit?

A.  $500 is due with a signed contract to secure your date. 

Q. Do you have liability insurance?

A. Yes! Many venues require this.

Q. How will you deliver the images from my engagement and wedding?

A. All final edited images will be delivered via an online gallery that you can share with family and friends who will also be able to download any images they'd like without having to go through you!

Q. How long after the wedding can I except my images to be delivered?

A. Depending on the amount of editing needed you can except your gallery to be delivered within 1-2 weeks.

Q. Can you provide me with a list of references to contact?

A. Absolutely! Just ask and you shall receive!