Arlington, Virginia Childhood Home, Backyard Elopement Photo Story Award

Childhood home, backyard wedding couple portrait as they sit on the steps of the brides parents house

A Childhood Home, Backyard Wedding Ceremony | The couple is sitting on the steps of the brides parents house

Sitting on the steps of her childhood home, Melissa rests her head on her new husband's shoulder. It's a moving portrait that showcases the ties between the past and the future. 

With four dogs and two cats in attendance, the animals outnumbered the guests at this beautiful backyard wedding. As a vet, Mel loved her animals deeply, but not as much as her husband Douglas.  They met and fell in love when the world turned upside down in 2020. It was probably the most inopportune time, but love knows no bounds. So, in June of 2021, Arlington native, Mel, and Brazil native, Douglas, started their life together in the middle of a pandemic. There was no big venue, only a few of Mel's family, and a laptop allowing those in Brazil to join. They said "I do" at Michelle's childhood home in Virginia in the backyard under a beautifully landscaped pergola with twinkle lights.

Elopement picture by a Virginia Wedding Photographer of groom waiting in the living room for the bride

Wedding Photography for Arlington, VA | The groom waits patiently in the living room for the bride

Anxious to see his bride, Douglas scrolls on his phone and waits patiently in the living room. At this moment, he is trying to distract himself, knowing that Melissa is upstairs slipping into her wedding gown.

BW Wedding Image from Arlington, VA of Bride and Sister Getting ready in their childhood bedroom

Best BW Wedding Photography in Arlington, VA | Getting ready in their childhood bedroom

Standing in their childhood bedroom — where undoubtedly millions of memories have been made over the years — Melissa and her sister get ready for the wedding ceremony together. A beloved cat monitors their progress.

Intimate wedding photojournalism from VA of groom seeing his bride, and overcome with emotion

Intimate Wedding Photojournalism from Arlington, VA | The groom is able to see his bride, and he is overcome with emotion

When the moment finally arrives and Douglas is able to see his bride, he is overcome with emotion. Melissa gives him a warm smile and a tender embrace in the backyard.

Outdoor VA Wedding Photo showing the pergola transformed the backyard into a beautiful scene

Arlington Outdoor Wedding Photography | the pergola transformed the backyard into a beautiful scene

With its twinkling lights and swaths of fabric, the pergola transformed the backyard into a scene from a fairytale. It was the perfect spot for Melissa and Doug to begin their intimate outdoor wedding ceremony.

Outdoor Wedding Photo from Arlington, VA showing the couple set up a laptop for family video chat

Wedding and Outdoor Event Photographer - Arlington, VA | The couple set up a laptop on a stepladder

Highlighting the ingenuity that became synonymous with the lingering pandemic, Douglas and Melissa set up a laptop on a stepladder in order to allow Douglas's family to witness the ceremony from Brazil.

Virginia Backyard Wedding Photo of a dog guest at the reception eyeing treats from the food table

Virginia Backyard Wedding Photography | One of the dog guests at the reception

One of the four-legged guests at the reception attempts to sneak a few treats from the food table before dinner began. 

Wedding Photo from an Arlington VA backyard of guests enjoying their outdoor meal

Pro Wedding Photography for Arlington, Virginia | the wedding guests begin to enjoy their meal

While the rest of the wedding guests begin to enjoy their meal after the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom simply look into each other's eyes and soak up the moment.

Arlington Wedding Photography of the VA newlyweds lighting up the night with sparklers at a backyard reception

Arlington Wedding Photography, VA | The newlyweds light up the night with sparklers

The newlyweds light up the night with sparklers as they sip champagne and celebrate their marriage.