Weddings

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Anneliese + Alec Poor House Farm Park: Wedding Photographer

Anneliese and Alec smiling with their dog in front of a pond on their wedding day.

A Wedding That Felt Like Home

If there was a wedding that felt like home, this would be it. I recently had the honor to be the wedding photographer for a couple in a location that’s near and dear to my heart. Anneliese and Alec were married at Poor House Farm Park in Martinsburg WV. I occasionally do weddings at this park, so it was a familiar location. And, it was nice to be back on those dreamy country roads of West Virginia.

Such a Small World

But that wasn’t all. I saw many people I knew at that wedding and in the wedding as well. I didn’t realize this prior to them booking with me, but Anneliese actually went to the same college as I did, Shepherd University! The Maid of Honor even went to college with both my second shooter and I. When we walked into the venue, she came up to us asking if we were the wedding photographers. I had my mask on, so she didn’t recognize me. So, I surprised her by saying “I know you!” She and her husband were both in the college’s art department with my second shooter and I.

Collage of Anneliese popping confetti poppers on her wedding day at Poor House Farm Park.

It’s such a small world, and serving my fellow Shepherd Rams on such a monumental day of their lives made it that much more special to me!

Engagement & Wedding Photographer

As the day began, we quickly noticed how much warmer the weather was compared to their engagement session! Being a wedding photographer, I often capture engagement photos for my couples as well. (If you haven’t seen their engagement session blog, check it out here. I share more about their beautiful love story and how it all began!)

Even though their engagement was at the end of March, I would never have expected it to be so blisteringly cold, and snowing! But Anneliese and Alec were absolute troopers. They were ready for anything, from snow and freezing chill, to the milder weather we had for their wedding! Throughout this whole journey they were focused on one thing: starting the rest of their lives together!

Capturing Important Moments

Collage of a wreath on a wooden door, a detail photo of the front of Poor House Farm Park and a detail photo of a bird bath.

While Poor House Farm Park was the location for Anneliese and Alec’s wedding, that wasn’t where she was getting ready. She opted to get ready at Shepherd’s Cove – which is in the town just outside the college in Shepherdstown WV. It’s a quaint and small historic town that’s charming and really fun to visit! It has a simplistic vibe, and I just love it!

Collage of Anneliese and her sister with their grandmother and the bride hugging her grandmother.

When Anneliese was getting ready, we grabbed a three-generation-picture with her mom and grandmother. She began tearing up, because of how important it was for us to capture that moment. And I couldn’t help but start to get emotional with her, because one of the biggest blessings of being a wedding photographer is having the special privilege to capture important photos like these!

Their Happily Ever After

This wasn’t the only tear filled moment at the wedding either. Their wedding was very traditional. They didn’t want to do a first look, and both preferred to see each other for the first time as they walked down the aisle. Just by looking at Alec, I would never been able to guess that he would be one of those guys who cried at his wedding . . . but he did get emotional! And, it was such a sweet moment to witness as his bride came down the aisle to him!

Collage of Alec standing at the alter while he waits for his bride and a look at the groom over the bride's shoulder.

From getting ready, to the ceremony, to celebrating during the reception – this was a wedding I’ll never forget! They finished the night with a beautiful sparkler exit and now they are living their happily-ever-after!

I could spend days taking photos of the two of you because you’re just the sweetest to work with! Thank you both for the privilege of being invited into your celebrations and for choosing me to be your wedding photographer! I wish you both a blessed and happy marriage!

Hugs,
Ashley