Jillian and Will were first introduced by a mutual friend in 2004, while Jillian was in Richmond on an apartment search. The introduction was brief, but Will knew at that point there was something special about Jillian. He told their friend that he wanted to get to know her more when she moved to Richmond. On her first weekend in Richmond, they met up along with some other friends. Will swept Jillian off her feet and they have been inseparable ever since.
6 years later, Will planned a magical proposal at sunset, on top of a dormant volcano overlooking all of Edinburgh, Scotland. Jillian said yes and soon after appeared a double rainbow! Does it even get more perfect than that?!
That fall, I was lucky enough to receive an inquiry from Miss Jillian. We chatted back and forth and finally had the opportunity to meet! I just fell in love with the two of them. We were such a perfect match, both very detail oriented, organized, love sparkly things, have a soft spot for cute shoes AND her wedding details were gold… my absolute favorite color. She is the first and only client that found my work via web only. No mutual friends or contacts. I found it to be so ironic since we are so similar, either way I am so lucky she found me. Jillian and Will are an amazing couple. You can’t help but be happy when you are around them, both are so smiley and full of excitement!
When I arrived for their engagement session and saw Jillian’s cropped pink jacket and sparkly, gold heels I was reminded of how perfect of a match we are! We walked all around Richmond and had a blast chatting, learning about each other, getting away from sketchy alleys (hehe), and I got a first hand look at both their ceremony and reception sites!! Soon after the engagement session, I received a package in the mail. It was sent from Jillian and carefully wrapped with some pretty awesome Bridal party requests and save the dates (check them out here!) I tore it open and started shooting. I couldn’t get enough of those cute things. I was so excited I called my mom- who is now, also obsessed with Jillian :) Jillian hand made them and they were just so clever and creative. This definitely added to the anticipation for her big day. In the coming months, I received their invitation which was nothing short of amazing! Also, handmade and 100% adorable! This too, is on the blog here. Along the way, Jillian had given me details about her wedding and to be totally honest- this was one of my most anticipated weddings of the year. She. did. not. let. me. down. Everything was perfect! They were married in Richmond at the Edgar Allan Poe Museum. When you enter the gates, it’s just magical. It looks as though you are stepping out of the city and into another time. I just fell in love with it! Jillian had adorable setups all around the venue. She had garden scenes complete with utensils and fresh herbs, a chalkboard program, a basket of lavender, candle lit lanterns lining the walkways and so much more. It was a photographer’s dream. Another fabulous detail about Jillian and Will’s wedding, their families! And as I thought the wedding couldn’t get any better, it did. Their reception was casual and low key. There wasn’t any dancing or your usual wedding festivities. I had the opportunity to get to know their amazing families and hear all about them (and I thoroughly enjoyed Jill’s family’s british accents)! I felt so welcomed, so honored to be a part of it, it was just a wonderful experience and I loved every minute of it :) I’m going to stop talking now so you guys can check out their amazing day for yourselves!!!!! enjoy.
One of my faves! Jillian, you couldn’t be more beautiful!
Another great thing about Jill and Will… they trusted me when I asked them and their bridal party to stand in bushes for their portraits :)
My absolute favorite!
They had 7 cakes, yep… you read that right, SEVEN! And the mocha one was delicious :)
Hair/Makeup: Kelly Hopkins of 1213 Hair Studio
Dress: Jingles
Venue: Edgar Allan Poe Museum
Reception/Catering: Havana 59
Florist: Helena Floral Designs
Cakes: Jean Jacques
Fresh Herbs: Lavender Fields Herb Farm
Event Planner: DS Designer Events
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