When Devon contacted me about wanting her elopement portraits with Clay at Luray Caverns, I was so excited! Luray Caverns is the largest underground caverns in the eastern United States and it’s conveniently located about 45 minutes from my home. You can walk through cathedral-sized rooms with ceilings up to 10-stories high, see incredible towering stone formations, and other natural wonders at every turn. The caverns boast some impressive stalactities, stalagmites, mirrored pools, the Great Stalacpipe Organ and more.

Photographing underground in the caverns is not without challenges. But II was prepared with lighting and loved the challenge of lighting such an incredible place. Vintage Floral Design also provided the most lovely of florals for Devon and Clay. The grounds outside the cavern are also charming with deep red rose bushes scattered around, mirroring the florals of the bouquet. And of course, the line of willow trees!

Devon and Clay were just the sweetest as well. Devon was stunning in her MacDuggal gown, which she also told me had actually inspired the location for the session! It was the perfect choice for the caverns.

So how did they first meet and end up here at the caverns?

“Clay proposed to me at the place where we met when we were 10 years old, when I first had a crush on him. Of course, as far as he was concerned, back then I probably had cooties. We reconnected through a mutual friend when we were 19, and have been good friends ever since. That evening when we reconnected, I confessed to him my childhood crush. After years of pursuing our interests separately, enjoying our freedoms and exploring the world, we realized that our friendship and trust had lasted the test of time. We chose Luray Caverns for its natural beauty and because it’s the perfect place for a fall elopement. I like to think the slow formations of the stalactites and stalagmites are symbolic our relationship.” – Devon

The session was so much fun and I loved serving the both of them. I just love these images of Devon and Clay at Luray Caverns! Just look at these incredible images…

Venue: Luray Caverns | Florals: Vintage Floral Design | Wedding Gown: MacDuggal

Michelle with Lieb Photographic is a Northern Virginia Wedding Photographer, a Charlottesville Wedding Photographer and photographs destination throughout the United States. Planning a wedding is so enjoyable when you can visit any of these and more Charlottesville area wedding venues. Be sure to check out the Charlottesville Wedding Venues page.