Rachel & Joe | Marriott Ranch wedding | Hume, VA

Rachel and Joe did it right.  They scouted out an amazing, remote venue and then rented the whole damn place and filled it with their friends and family, creating this awesome homey atmosphere throughout the ranch.  Also, there was skeet shooting.  Also also, I got to try and I totally hit the target on my first try.  In addition, there was a hand-made chuppah, tasty tasty foods and a warm, beautiful late-summer evening.  Wedding win for Rachel and Joe: bride and groom portraits at marriott ranch wedding Marriott Ranch is this awesome bed and breakfast out in the middle of nowhere (Hume, Va).  It is the summer home of the Marriott family (the hotel people, yes) and now turned into a rad getaway place. marriott ranch in hume, va So, this was great.  Joe invited everybody to come shoot skeet before the wedding things got underway.  I had such a great time playing with composition and lighting with the fence posts and the great blue sky.   I did, however, miss a big patch of skin on my back with the sunscreen and was in pain for days after. skeet shooting before the wedding at marriott ranch Yes, this is Joe's grandmother shooting skeet.  Awesome! grandma shooting skeet at marriott ranch marriott ranch skeet shooting And here's me!  None other than our groom took the photo - even with back-button focus!  I'm so proud of hitting the target on the first (and only) try. me shooting skeet! skeet shooting at marriott ranch I apologize for showing way too many skeet shooting photos.  I really like them.  It's my blog.  And now, onto specifically wedding-related images! marriott ranch in hume, va setting up the chuppah at marriott ranch getting ready at marriott ranch in hume, va getting ready images before the wedding at marriott ranch  getting ready at marriott ranch bed and breakfast Big thanks, as always, to Tim for coming out to shoot this one with me.  I don't know what Joe's doing here, but I dig it. groom making funny motions at marriott ranch first look at marriott ranch wedding I was flipping out over the green greens and blue blues.  Such a beautiful day, especially after so many unbearably hot ones. wedding pictures at marriott ranch bride and groom at marriott ranch wedding cows on the marriott ranch property wedding reception at marriott ranch walking down the aisle at marriott ranch bride walking down the aisle at marriott ranch wedding marriott ranch wedding ceremony marriott ranch wedding ceremony marriott ranch wedding ceremony moments The light at this wedding was soooooo good. married at marriott ranch laughing at the marriott ranch wedding bride and groom pictures at sunset at marriott ranch wedding marriott ranch wedding reception Look, a funfetti wedding cake! wedding reception details at marriott ranch bride and groom speech at marriott ranch wedding Rachel and Joe announced the buffet was open - and that hungry people should get up first.  She wasn't wasting any time. getting up for dinner at marriott ranch wedding first dance at marriott ranch wedding groom and his mother dancing at marriott ranch wedding There should be more roasting marshmallows at weddings. roasting marshmallows at marriott ranch dad eating cake at marriott ranch wedding dancing at marriott ranch wedding reception At the end of the night, I grabbed Rachel and Joe to do some long-exposure and light-painting stuff.  They were game. long exposure light painting photography at marriott ranch wedding Bam. epic reception shot at marriott ranch wedding Congratulations guys! Rachel and Joe's rockin' vendor team: Ceremony and reception venue: Marriott Ranch Catering: Marriott Ranch Musicians: Live keyboard and guitar duo, headlined by Steve Dorman (booked through Olivera Music Entertainment) Rachel's lovely dress:  Vera Wang from The Bridal Garden Bridesmaids' dresses: Ann Taylor Groom and groomsmen's suits: Jos. A Bank Florist: Fiftyflowers.com Hair: Blake & Co. salon