This Madison at the Mill wedding in Orange, Virginia is a bit closer to my heart than most. It is something really special when you get to watch your friend meet their perfect match, and then that relationship blossoms into an engagement. 

My husband’s close friend Torrey is one of those guys that can light up anyone’s day by just saying hello. I could write a total book on how sweet and genuine he really is. When Mel came into the picture a few years back, it was something else to watch Torrey’s face just light up every time he talked about her. That’s it. We knew this was it. This was Torrey’s forever and Mel was the perfect person. 

I was there when Torrey worked for weeks on crafting the perfect emerald engagement ring with a Charlottesville local jeweler.  He proposed while on an extended family outing to King Family Vineyard. Y’all when I say I am fully invested in this couple, I mean like 200%. 

Mel, was a bride after my own heart by planning their dream winter wedding in just under 6 months! She added the most sentimental touches to include their loved ones in the whole process. A little back story: within the last two years Torrey lost both of his parents, so Mel made it an utmost priority to include them even though they couldn’t be there in person. My favorite touch was the beautiful white coat Mel wore during our portraits. It was one of Torrey’s mother’s favorites to wear every winter. 

As a Virginia wedding photographer, I don’t get the option to photograph many winter weddings, especially those that have SNOW on the ground! But the whole week leading up to their wedding, we got almost nightly snow showers. This helped keep the winter wonderland magic alive for their wedding day. 

I am super excited to share my favorites from their wedding today, and can’t wait until they start popping out the most adorable little peanuts for this (not blood but still going to be) Auntie to start spoiling.