Sunnybrook Wedding in Virginia

wedding portraits after Sunnybrook Wedding ceremony

While I mostly photograph wedding in the Lowcountry of Charleston, South Carolina, I loved getting travel to Roanoke to capture Alexa and Lyle’s Sunnybrook Wedding in Virginia! It was an honor that they chose me to join them on their wedding day. I enjoyed every minute I spent with this amazing couple and their family and friends.

Alexa and Lyle’s love story started when they were both college students at Virginia Tech. As their relationship started and their connection grew they soon found themselves to be inseparable, eventually leading to Lyle’s romantic proposal, which was a blend of family, tradition, and a touch of spontaneity. Gathering with family at Richmond’s Botanical Gardens over Thanksgiving weekend, Lyle seized the golden opportunity to surprise Alexa. After spending an evening admiring and walking the gardens while sipping hot cocoa with the company of her family, Lyle got down on one knee. It was a moment of genuine surprise as only Alexa’s dad knew about the proposal! It was a moment that will be fondly remembered by all!

Alexa and Lyle’s wedding was a blend of thoughtful and elegant details. Signature drinks named after their cat, Milo, and their college mascot, the HokieBird, added a personalized touch to the celebration. Custom can koozies featuring their beloved cat, a Polaroid guest book, bubbles for the little ones, and a special photo with fellow Virginia Tech alumni were just a few of the details that made their day truly unforgettable.

Against the backdrop of the Boxwood Garden at Sunnybrook, their outdoor wedding ceremony took place. The bridesmaids wore dusty pink gowns in various styles, holding elegant bouquets of white and pink hued flowers surrounded by green accents. Similar floral arrangements adorned the white wedding arch. It was a beautiful wedding ceremony and I loved seeing Alexa and Lyle’s joyful expressions as they exited the ceremony as husband and wife!

After the ceremony, I stole the newlyweds away to capture their wedding portraits against the stunning natural landscape at Sunnybrook. We then returned to the covered veranda to join their wedding guests for cocktail hour. Amidst laughter and clinking glasses, Alexa and Lyle enjoyed the company of their loved ones.

As the evening unfolded, a special surprise awaited, as Lyle’s mother coordinated the appearance of the beloved college mascot, HokieBird. The sheer joy on Alexa’s face when she saw the HokieBird was absolutely priceless and one of the highlights of the evening! It was a wonderful surprise that paid tribute to where their relationship started. The HokieBird joined right in the celebration dancing, blowing bubbles, and taking selfies with guests, creating a fun, memorable moment! As the evening winded down, guests gathered in the front of the venue to send off the newlyweds with sparklers. It was a perfect ending to this gorgeous and memorable wedding day at Sunnybrook.

Alexa and Lyle, I am incredibly thankful that you included me in your wedding day. It was an honor to witness your special day and the love you share. I wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness!