Kate & Daniel | Charlottesville, VA wedding | In the country

It takes something most don't possess to turn a big ol' field in the middle of the country into a ridiculously beautiful wedding venue. But that's what Kate and Daniel and their families and friends did to the field of their very generous friends. Way out where no one could hear them, they tied the knot, then partied under the big stars. And the cicadas even left them alone, mostly. I'm about to make you jealous you didn't get married here: charlottesville virginia country wedding photography We started the day about 40 miles north in Charlottesville. bride gets ready in charlottesville, va charlottesville virginia wedding images wedding preparation in charlottesville virginia hotel hairspray while the girls get ready in charlottesville It was both hilarious and terrifying to photograph Kate's friends putting her contacts in. Kate was, as always, an incredibly good sport about the whole thing, even as she teared up. putting in her contacts in charlottesville virginia wedding We made the trek, then it was time for the bride and groom to see each other. first look in charlottesville wedding first look moment in charlottesville virginia Kate and Daniel were married on a private residence near the town of Lovingston, Virginia. Their friends graciously lent them use of the house, but everything else occurred on the expansive field in front of the property. bride walks up the stairs in a family home There was even a small lake in the background for us to use as backdrop for portraits. wedding portraits in charlottesville virginia Kate is one of those epically happy people - always cracking up and giggling. Makes my job easy. wedding portraits at a private residence in charlottesville virginia Could they have picked a more beautiful setting and set-up for a wedding? Apparently this incredible wood-planks-and-doorframe ceremony entrance piece came from Craigslist! I mean, seriously, look at this. ceremony setup in charlottesville virginia private residence Go time. bride and her father walking to the charlottesville wedding ceremony Kate and her dad had a long way to walk. bride and her father coming a long way to the wedding ceremony bride and her father laughing as they walk down the aisle groom greets his bride in charlottesville wedding moment from the ceremony in charlottesville wedding praying during the wedding ceremony in charlottesville countryside charlottesville virginia country wedding putting on the rings in charlottesville wedding excitedly leaving the wedding ceremony in charlottesville The Virginia countryside is a really beautiful place for a wedding. walking to the tiny house in charlottesville wedding wedding portraits on a country home wedding portraits by amber wilkie photography creative wedding portraiture in the countryside My kind of detail shot. It was a very windy day, but it helped to cool things off. very windy day at charlottesville outdoor wedding Cicada (I think)! cicada at a charlottesville wedding playing cornhole at a wedding in charlottesville I freakin' love this image - managing to sneak a bit of street into family formals. Truth is, this was probably a happy accident when I was just testing exposure. street photography at charlottesville wedding holding hands during speeches at charlottesville wedding father of the bride giving her a smile at charlottesville wedding first dance in charlottesville virginia country wedding first dance images from charlottesville wedding father-daughter dance at charlottesville country wedding dancing with her father in charlottesville wedding mother son dance in charlottesville virginia wedding Their friend from South Korea couldn't make it, but she sent a life-size cardboard cut-out in her place, which, obviously, is awesome. dancing with a cardboard cut-out in charlottesville wedding Smoking cigars because it's the country and you can do basically anything you want. dad smoking cigars at charlottesville country wedding smoking cigars at the wedding in charlottesville beautiful country wedding in charlottesville The wind prevented my backdrop from going up, but while it was still light out, Nature provided an even better one. posing for photobooth pictures in charlottesville virginia grandparents dancing in charlottesville wedding It was a bit too hot to dance much at first, but luckily Kate and Daniel had the forethought to provide cornhole and bocce ball to entertain their guests. playing bocce ball at twilight in charlottesville wedding grandfather and mother of the groom dancing at the country wedding cake cutting at charlottesville wedding in the countryside tented wedding in the charlottesville countryside bride dancing at charlottesville wedding dance party in charlottesville countryside bride and her brother getting down in charlottesville wedding bridesmaids dancing at tented wedding reception at a private residence tented wedding reception at private residence near charlottesville dance party in charlottesville wedding guests dancing with photobooth props at charlottesville wedding photojournalism at charlottesville wedding in the country Somebody brought moonshine to the wedding. drinking moonshine at the country wedding in charlottesville bride and her dad partying at charlottesville wedding baby taking in the dance floor at charlottesville wedding everybody in polka dots at charlottesville wedding bride and groom dancing in charlottesville wedding bride and groom having a moment at charlottesville wedding dance party in charlottesville wedding reception last song of the night at charlottesville country wedding portrait with stars in charlottesville country wedding Congratulations guys! Kate and Daniel's vendor team: Getting ready venue: Sleep Inn, Charlottesville Ceremony and reception venue: a friend's field Flowers, decorations, ceremony setup, uncounted pretty things: Daniel's mother and grandmother Caterer: The Barbecue Exchange (Kate highly recommends!) DJ: Ran Henry Officiant: Rev. Rachel Cornwell, Woodside United Methodist Church, Silver Spring, MD Cake: Chandler's Bakery Kate's beautiful dress: Ann Taylor Bridesmaids dresses: eShakti (love this store - good for lots of non-wedding dresses too.)