I first worked with Mara and Mike when we met at Milan Puskar Stadium at WVU for some engagement pictures on the football field. After finding our way into the stadium and getting to know each other a little better, I gifted them with Dunkin Donuts for meeting me so early and promised that we’d continue the fun during their wedding day at Stonewall Resort. 

I remember walking into each of their hotel rooms and immediately feeling at ease. They were both so friendly and trusting towards me, and as a wedding photographer, that’s an empowering thing. We had made a great connection during our previous meetings (Mara and her mom met me at Panera before booking, and Mike and Mara actually met with me twice for engagement pictures, which you can see in the link provided above) and that really allowed for a most enjoyable experience on the big day. 

This was my third visit to Stonewall Jackson Resort. It’s an hour south of Morgantown and is tucked away in the beauty of the area’s mountains. We were able to capture both the indoor and outdoor beauty of the resort, even while dodging the rainfall. My favorite parts of the day were the soft pink details and Mara and Mike’s trusting and laid-back attitude towards the picture-taking agenda.

Mike gifted Mara with a custom embroidered napkin. If my memory serves me correctly, a napkin was how the two of them first connected. 🙂

Mara’s grandma reading the napkin from Mike…

One of my favorite pictures from the day!

 

Another favorite! The soft pink details + a sweet flower girl = 🙂

My second shooter Chelsey snapped this one!

Mara, you were beautiful!

You can always count on the kiddos for some special moments! 🙂

The ceremony was held inside the main lobby area of the lodge…

A little smirk from Mike’s dad. I love capturing the moments in between!

Something a little darker than my norm, but it was hard not to experiment in a room like this!

The architectural details and light in this room make quite a beautiful setting!

Wedding party selfie!

Another capture by Chelsey. If there are cute kiddos involved, I usually tell my second shooters to pay extra attention to them because you never know what kind of cute moments they are going to share!

A favorite for me. 🙂

Let’s be honest, I do it for the SWEETS! No, I really don’t do it for the sweets, but it’s certainly a perk. 🙂

I loved the simple elegance of the centerpieces and tables…

There were so excellent photographic moments on that dance floor! #thankfulphotog 🙂

Let me tell you about this gal! Michelle is Mike’s sister and one of the founders of The White Box. I just recently found out about this company and think it’s such a neat concept! They encourage couples to “meet your ‘personal wedding planner in a box'” and they’ll help you build a custom design for your wedding with an inspiration board, budget, signature drink recipes, floor plans, catering menus…and it will all be delivered in a white box! SO NEAT! Congrats to you, friend!

More neat people! 🙂 Nate and Abby are the husband and wife team that make up The Saylors. They’re super friendly, super talented videographers who live in Kentucky and service West Virginia. Chelsey and I had a blast hanging out with them! 

I told them to pose for an action shot, ha!

And I’m ending the post with a few grandparent pictures because they’re cute. 🙂 

Thanks a million for having me, Mara and Mike! Let’s get together for more pictures in the future! Or maybe we could just meet and eat some donuts? 🙂