Recently, many couples have shifted their focus to the most important aspect of their weddings: getting married. That’s why Cheryl and Toni’s wedding is so dear to my heart – they invited me to be part of their intimate courthouse wedding. I may not be family, but it was an honor to be invited to bear witness to the most special day of their lives.

A Courthouse Wedding = Keeping It Simple

Cheryl and Toni both knew that they wanted an intimate, quaint wedding with just their family and friends at the Hanover Courthouse, followed by a romantic dinner party reception. Having never been to courthouse before her wedding day, the bride found herself worrying about how smoothly the ceremony would go. Ultimately, because the couple chose to keep their wedding simple, everything came off without a hitch. “It was perfect,” says Cheryl, “just the way we imagined it.”

A Courthouse Wedding with Simple but Elegant Attire

The bride and groom chose to forego the big wedding hoopla, but that doesn’t mean their attire had to be non-traditional! Cheryl knew she wanted something simple that still appeared bridal. She hit the mark with this gorgeous ruffled satin wrap dress from Show Me Your Mumu. Cheryl’s dress was a flirty yet romantic contrast to Toni’s classic blue suit. The couple let their small wedding party – consisting of a maid of honor and best man – choose their own attire. The end result was a soft, pastel color palette that popped beautifully against the soft sage-gray background of the courthouse. “It all ended up pulling together,” says Cheryl, “I couldn’t be more happy with it all.”

Letting the Beauty of Nature Shine

I absolutely adore that even though they chose to forego many of the “traditional” wedding elements, Cheryl and Toni prioritized photography, opting to have their wedding portraits taken at Maymont Park. Cheryl’s stunning bouquet was full of gorgeous white blooms and plenty of greenery, which didn’t clash with the stunning flowers growing in Maymont.

Money Can’t Buy Happiness

At the end of the day, the bride and groom tied their lives together without excessive fanfare but with an abundance of love.

Q: Whatʼs one word you would choose to describe your wedding day?

A: Perfect!

Q: Do you have any advice for couples planning their big day?

A: If there are any couples out  there looking to do something small and intimate but are unsure, I would definitely recommend it. Having an intimate courthouse wedding saved us a ton of money, but we were still able to have all of the special moments we wanted. 

Tell me about life post-wedding?

Q: What is your best advice for newlyweds AFTER the wedding?

A: My husband and I have been together for 11 years, we took things slow but waiting for the right moments really made the world of a difference. Not much has changed for us since we have been together for so long, but knowing we are husband and wife feels so special and so right. 

When you look back on your day, what moments that truly stand out in your memory?

The best moments for me were saying our vows in front of our closest family and friends and listening to Toni make the most heartwarming speech at our dinner. It’s something I will never forget. 

The Vendors

Wedding Dress Show Me Your Mumu

Accessories (jewelry, shoes, etc.) Moms diamond necklace, Sam Edelman Shoes

Florist Pandora’s Posies

Ready to Book a Photographer who…

…values who you are and what you want?

…feels more like family than a wedding vendor?

…prides herself on providing you with authentic images that you’ll cherish forever?

Contact EmmiClaire Photography today!