October 10, 2023

Emma & Sam 5/14/2022

It was the end of the senior year of high school. Emma and Sam, in their respective high schools, were wrapping up their requirements, saying goodbye to their friends, and preparing to begin their college careers at Liberty University. Hoping to already have some friends on campus by the time she arrived, Emma posted her social media accounts on a “get to know you” page on Facebook. Sam responded. And the rest is history.

Emma says before their first semester at college even started, she knew Sam was the man she would one day marry. Little did she know that by searching for a few new friends, she’d find her best friend for the rest of her life.

Though Emma and Sam fell in love quickly, their relationship wasn’t always an easy one. During their senior year of college, Emma faced a significant medical diagnosis. While many young couples may not be able to face a medical challenge of this nature together, Sam didn’t even blink. He quit his job, moved all of his classes online, and became Emma’s caretaker. Emma told us that Sam loves hard and always protects and takes care of those he loves. This situation was no different.

And then, a few months after Emma’s surgery…

The Engagement

Sam proposed. Emma said, “We got engaged on Valentine’s Day 2021! Sam took me out to get my nails done (which I actually suggested we do) then we were headed to go to a ‘private catered dinner’ – which he has actually done before, so I was not expecting anything other than the dinner. We pulled up to this house with a beautiful greenhouse garden. I still wasn’t skeptical haha! I figured it out when one of our friends (a photographer) ran out of the bushes. I totally blacked out and I can’t remember what Sam said, all I knew was there was a pretty ring in front of me. My parents and his parents popped out of the bushes, and we were able to celebrate with them, which I loved!”

We met Emma and Sam when we shot their engagement photos at Raven’s Roost on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Wedding

Emma and Sam were married on Saturday, May 14th at Glass Hill Venue in Bedford County, VA.

The Details

Emma and Sam selected navy, green, and ivory as their wedding colors. Emma wanted their day to be exciting, fun-filled, energetic, romantic, and special. When we asked her what three words would describe her wedding, she said “exciting, joyful, special, and sentimental” (she went above and beyond with that fourth word).

Emma’s parents lent Emma and Sam their wedding china for the sweetheart table. So sentimental.

The Bridal Party

Emma and Sam loved having their closest friends surrounding them as they finally said “I DO”.

The Bride & Groom

It was important to Emma and Sam that the photos from their wedding tell the story of the day. Emma told us that she often looks at photos of the two over the years from the relationship and knew she’d look at her wedding photos just as often.

The Ceremony

Emma always dreamt of having her wedding outside. The weather cooperated and the ceremony was absolutely perfect.

The Reception

After the ceremony, it was time for Emma and Sam to celebrate with their family and friends. And celebrate they did.

The Newlyweds

Emma and Sam are very sentimental and have chronicled their relationship, even since the early years, through photos. It’s no surprise then that after the wedding, Emma asked us to meet up with the couple for a newlywed shoot.