Downtown Norfolk Wedding

It was a hot summer day, but that didn’t stop Alyssa and Chris from being filled with joy on their wedding day in Downtown Norfolk! Alyssa and Chris were married at Christ and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and celebrated the night away at The Main Hilton Hotel in Downtown Norfolk, Virginia.

Their wedding incorporated family heirlooms, tender moments, and joyous smiles.

Getting Ready

Alyssa wore a gorgeous, light-weight, A-line wedding gown with a floral lace top. She wore white, jeweled wedding shoes during the ceremony but wore white Toms during the reception to dance the night away. Alyssa also wore, pearl drop earrings, a pearl bracelet, and pearl hair pins to complete a classic and timeless bridal look.

Alyssa also incorporated a few different family heirlooms into her bridal style. She wore her Aunt’s ring and she tied her Grandmother’s wedding band into her floral bouquet. It was so sweet to see parts of her family legacy incorporated into their wedding.

Chris wore a classic suit with a vest and blue tie, which complimented their wedding colors. The groomsmen also wore modern gray suits, perfect for an elegant summer wedding.

Ceremony

Their romantic wedding ceremony was at the historic Christ and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Downtown Norfolk, Virginia. The ceremony was located in the historic English Cathedral, where stone arches, wooden textures, and high ceilings set the serious but romantic tone of the marriage covenant, that was about to take place.

As Alyssa walked down the aisle to Chris, sunlight just poured into the church as though God was ready to bless their marriage.

It was a sweet ceremony filled with personal touches such as, a reading from the Bible, “Lessons I Learned in Kindergarten” (Alyssa and Chris are both teachers), and a poem that combined lines from their favorite video games.

After the ceremony, their amazing bridal party endured the heat for portraits near the Hague. And Alyssa and Chris had the opportunity to have a few minutes to themselves as we photographed them in the radiating sunlight.

Reception

The reception was held at the new luxury hotel in Downtown Norfolk, Hilton The Main. The Main is Virginia‘s premier venue for events located in Downtown Norfolk waterfront. The reception was filled with modern and elegant centerpieces filled with fresh flowers.

Alyssa and Chris celebrated their marriage with their friends and family. Funny toasts were shared about their relationship and delicious bundt cake and cupcakes were served. And the party really got started when glow sticks and light-up hula-hoops made it to the dance floor!   It was an elegant and joyous evening!

Congratulations to the newlyweds!

Alyssa chose such elegant and classic bridal shoes. Fresh roses are the perfect choice for a modern, elegant wedding! I just loved the lace details on her dress! Alyssa was just filled with joy the entire day! Alyssa and her dad decided to have a Daddy First Look. It was such a sweet moment to watch. This church was stunning! I love all the architectural details in this church! I just love this moment of Alyssa looking up at her dad, right before they walk down the aisle. They are married! Wooho!Bubble exits can be so romantic on a bright summer day!This bridal party was amazing!! It was 100 degrees outside and they were still excited to take pictures with their dear friends! Alyssa, you are gorgeous! I worked in Downtown Norfolk for 6 years and in the beginning stages of my business, I would walk around Downtown taking pictures of anything that caught my eye. And one of things was this colorful door. I always pictured a bride and groom standing near this door. This door is a pop of color in a sea of bricks and stone. Alyssa and Chris made my dreams come true, years and years later! How perfect are these two in front of this teal door?!Fresh flowers are always a beautiful choice for centerpieces. First dances are so romantic! And I loved that the Alyssa’s parents were standing together watching this first dance.

Their cakes and cupcakes were provided by Nothing Bundt Cakes.  Such sweet friends! It has been a honor to be a part of both of these couple’s weddings! Colonial DJs had the dance floor hopin’! Everyone was dancing the night away!I love the fact that Alyssa and her mom are dancing the same way in these pictures! Such sweet friends! Alyssa was a bridesmaid in Ashley’s wedding a few years ago. And now Ashley gets the chance to be in Alyssa’s bridal party!

This is a first one for us! Hula-hoops at a wedding! Everyone had a blast! Vendor List:

Dress: BHLDN

Florist: Debbie from Fluttering Flowers

Ceremony Venue: Christ and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

Reception Venue: Hilton, the Main

DJ: Colonial DJs

Cake: Nothing Bundt Cake

Bridesmaids Dress: David’s Bridal

Groomsmen and Groom Attire: Men’s Wearhouse

Favors: Cheryl’s Cookies