They began as high school sweethearts, falling in love between classes bit by bit. They faced the challenge of Vinnie leaving for college while Maria embarked on her last year in high school, but any worry was for naught- they could handle this. A year later, Maria followed Vinnie down to Harrisonburg where they both attended college within a few minutes of each other. As semester after semester passed, it became increasingly evident that this? This was real, and this wasn’t going anywhere. Their families came to adore the two together as Vinnie & Maria fell in with each others’ kin as naturally as if they were their own. So that one night when Maria walked into her apartment at JMU and found Vinnie on one knee with an important question and a ring to accompany it, it was a time for rejoicing among friends and family. Rejoicing that these two would be coming full circle, uniting two families whose joyous smiles and happy tears were nothing but genuine.

Vinnie & Maria, it was such an absolute honor to be there with you as you all took the first step into the next chapter of your lives! I loved watching your excitement and sheer pleasure at being in one anothers company, and I couldn’t help but admire your relaxed attitudes when the weather forced a last-minute change of scenery. It was such a testament to your assurance in each other and it made for such a beautiful day! Thank you so much for letting me into your love for the day!

The day began with the girls at Maria’s childhood home while I headed over to Bluemont Vineyard to get started on Maria’s details…

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Maria told me when we first met that she’d be wearing her mother’s wedding dress, and I really had no idea what to expect because of how differently I’ve seen old dresses re-done and tailored. This dress, however, was the best re-iteration of a mother’s dress I’ve ever seen!

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rustic Virginia Bluemont Vineyard wedding

rustic Virginia Bluemont Vineyard weddingrustic Virginia Bluemont Vineyard wedding

Love this 🙂

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Maria! MARIA. This is one of my favorite bridal portraits ever. Thanks for being utterly breathtaking, girl!

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First Look! I LOVE first looks- they’re the perfect way to preserve that much-anticipated moment, keeping it intimate and quiet. Plus, we were able to have plenty of time for portraits away from the ebb and flow of guests.

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It started raining about 3 minutes after Maria walked outside, meaning that almost all of their portraits took place on the patio area. No worries, though- Vinnie & Maria were totally relaxed, and we were even able to chance a few minutes out on the grass during a dry spell!

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Because of the rain, we were forced to move the ceremony indoors. No worries though! It was beautiful!

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Married!!

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An explanation of Maria’s dress and the history behind it…

rustic Virginia Bluemont Vineyard wedding

Maria & her bridesmaids made every single one of these adorable jars of strawberry syrup- quite the DIY queens!

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More handmade goodness…

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rustic Virginia Bluemont Vineyard weddingrustic Virginia Bluemont Vineyard weddingrustic Virginia Bluemont Vineyard weddingrustic Virginia Bluemont Vineyard weddingrustic Virginia Bluemont Vineyard weddingrustic Virginia Bluemont Vineyard weddingrustic Virginia Bluemont Vineyard wedding

Many thanks to Carrie Holbo for second shooting for me!

Happy, happy Tuesday!

Love Everlasting- Vinnie & Maria’s rustic Bluemont Vineyard wedding

August 28, 2012

  1. How cool that she wore her Mom’s dress!!! It’s SO beautiful too!!! Another wonderful job Abby!

  2. karen says:

    Wow! I agree with you, that dress is just beautiful! How cool to be able to incorporate something so meaningful. It looks like an incredible day despite the rain. Awesome!

  3. Alison Mish says:

    So lovely! I love the bridal portraits…and that chair she was sitting on…perfection! 🙂

  4. Rebekah Hoyt says:

    Beautiful Abby! You really rocked those portraits, despite the rain! Her florals are so beautiful!!

  5. Nicolo says:

    Awesome pictures! Glad I got to share this day and memory with my brother and new sister.

  6. Kari Jeanne says:

    What a gorgeous bride!!! I love the porch portraits – beautiful!!!

  7. Anita - Mother of the bride says:

    Abby, what a sweet blog! You are a gifted photographer as you know just how to capture a moment. I felt so beautiful wearing the dress 27 years ago and it’s clear Maria felt the same…making me tear up….again!

  8. oh gosh i LOVE her dress!!!

  9. Megan says:

    Her dress is amazing! What a special moment for her & her mom that it got to be passed down. Great photos!

  10. Natalie says:

    Great work Abby! The photographs turned out gorgeous, as expected! 🙂 Maria you look beautiful!

  11. the detail shots in this post!! i die. 🙂

  12. ashley link says:

    wow! this wedding belongs in a magazine! it’s gorgeous! great job! 🙂

  13. everything about this wedding is breathtaking! great job, abby!!!!!

  14. […] gray TOMS stay in my trunk for times when my feet are ready to fall off. I changed into them during Vinnie & Maria’s wedding to save my feet for Shawn & Katie’s wedding the next day, and I felt amazing the […]

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