So I usually cry at weddings…or at least hold back tears…yup. At ALL of them. It’s either a moment when the bride is preparing with her mother and best friends, during a first look with dad or with her groom, during the ceremony…oh who knows! It’s different every time…but it’s true at every. single. one.

So this time, I was so emotional that I talked way too much on the way home (not a stretch for me) and then felt like I couldn’t breathe stepping in the door. It was just such a special day. I witnessed so many amazing moments between friends, family and Alyssa and Eric and their vows to each other were some of the most genuine, honest and incredible ones I have heard. Eric spoke of a special time when he then knew he wanted to marry Alyssa. Then he spoke of another special time when he wanted to marry Alyssa…and more and more, ending each with, “And that’s when I knew I wanted to marry Alyssa.” Um, tears?

And as if witnessing these two tie the knot in their own special way wasn’t enough, it was like a Liberty High School reunion with some of the best students I have ever known…including several from my first AP Art History course…some of whom went on a trip to NYC together. So you can imagine, it was a wonderful day in a multitude of ways.

Planning the wedding was no easy feat for these two since they were living in China teaching English just months up until the wedding day. When they came back to the states, they had to adjust to being here again and plan a wedding in short time. Thanks to the help of many friends and family, they planned their big day and it was perfect!

Alyssa gave her bridesmaids the opportunity to wear any maxi dress of their choice and she had beautiful orchards with succulents hidden inside of her own bouquet. She stayed true to her style and wore a stunning white jumpsuit with a kimono layered over it…which made a pretty fun transition from ceremony to reception to golden hour. The Asian influence was complete with a black pearl necklace, paper lanterns over the sweetheart table and colorful paper cranes hanging from inside the reception tent. The reception was loved by all with a sangria tent, BBQ and a taco food truck…oh and did I mention SUGAR SHACK DONUTS? And the speeches/toasts were absolutely informative and hilarious.

But let’s back up to the first look because it took place in front of the orchard and the barn at Valley View Farm in breathtaking Delaplane, Virginia. This is a gorgeous part of the state and it was so lush this time of year. There were lambs, a peacock “talking” and other farm animals around as well. The ceremony took place “in the round” which was such a great idea! No one was without a view and they kept the ceremony “unplugged” so guests could be, as the officiant mentioned, “fully present” to celebrate with them. It was perfect!

The whole day was so very special and now these two get to top off an amazing year with a jump start into the Peace Corps not long from now! And where are they headed this time? AFRICA. Wow. Yes. I cannot wait to see where they go next and follow their adventures as they whisper to each other their own little secrets, finish each other’s sentences and laugh loudly together along the way. Congratulations Alyssa and Eric! I am beyond honored to have photographed your wedding day!

And in case you were wondering, this is how their love story began…as friends. While they are both Liberty High School alumni, they were one grade apart and never dated in high school. Later, both attended the University of Mary Washington. It was there that they began dating and as Alyssa says, “It was very easy and natural.” These two embody the adventurous, well-traveled couple and their relationship is fun, flowing and real.

While they were together in China for the past year, they both began thinking seriously about applying for the Peace Corps as a couple. They knew it would be difficult to integrate into a community without being married and also knew that if their friendship and love could survive living and working in China together it could survive anything! So they planned their wedding day and are still traveling down the road together.

So who are some of the folks who helped make their day extra special?

Venue: Valley View Farm

DJ: Make It Count Entertainment

Hair: KC Felton

Florals: Forget Me Not Flowers

Kimono: Rhode Resort from Moda Operandi

Shoes: Chacos

Jewelry: Ryuku Pearl

Officiant: Cooper Lawton

Caterers: Sobo Mobile and Sibby’s Restaurant and Lounge

Donuts: Sugar Shack Donuts

Michelle Lieb with Lieb Photographic is a Charlottesville Wedding Photographer, Culpeper Wedding Photographer, Fredericksburg Wedding Photographer, Alexandria Wedding Photographer, Washington DC Wedding Photographer, High Country Wedding Photographer and a wedding photographer in the surrounding areas.