757 Wedding Photography

Chris and Ciaria - Ain't No Stopping Us Now

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We find that one of the best things about small weddings is that they lend themselves to especially tender moments. They also somehow feel a little more at ease, and that’s exactly what the vibe was on this beautiful day in August. This couple let nothing stop them from what they wanted most in this world, each other!

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We’ll leave you with a few more of my favorite moments from the day, and with a big congrats to the newlyweds! 

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Vendor List

Brides Dress: Studio I Do Bridals

Brides Hair Styles: @only1_allygirl

Brides Make up Artist: Kendrell B

Grooms Attire: Mens Warehouse

Grooms Barber: Stylistic Cutz

Wedding Series: Why we choose to have a second shooter

Why Do We Have a Second Shooter?

All of our wedding packages include two photographers – a main photographer, and a second shooter. A second shooter is an additional photographer who is there to cover the wedding as well. We choose to have a second shooter for many reasons.

Wedding Series: What is a pre-event consult?

What to Expect in Our Pre-Event Consult

A pre-event consult is set in place so that we get an opportunity to meet and talk about your wedding and expectations before the big day arrives. We will talk about your timeline and how your schedule is planned, decide when we are going to do the family formals and if you are having a first look, what time we need to arrive, when we will be leaving, where we will meet, and all of the other important details we need to know. 

Wedding Series: Photographer Wedding Terminology 101

A Client’s Guide to Wedding Photographer Terms

As photographers, we use a lot of terminology that you may not understand. This article is to help you get to know some of our terms in regard to your wedding photography.

Wedding Series: What we capture on your big day

Wedding Coverage

We are with you from the time you start getting ready for big day into the night of your reception. We cover Getting Ready, Ceremony and Reception, Family and Bridal Party Portraits, Wedding Day Details, and all of the Special Moments throughout your day. 

Wedding Series: Tips for getting ready for your wedding day

How to Look Your Best on Your Wedding Day

We’re here today to talk about wedding day prep. Here are some tips to help you look and feel your best.

Wedding Series: Not having a first look? How much time do you need after the ceremony for photos?

How Much Time Do I Need for Photos If I Don’t Have a First Look? 

If you want to go the more traditional route and forego the first look, here are the minimum times you will need to schedule out for photos after the ceremony.

Wedding Series: Photogs Get Hungry, Too!: Feeding Your Photographer

Feeding your Photographer on your wedding day

A wedding typically lasts 10 to 12 hours. If we take getting ready shots and are there all day, we try to eat a big breakfast before we get there, but that only lasts so long. We are often running around like crazy all day trying to cover the whole wedding, and don’t have time to snack or take a break.

Mike & Dieana: Virginia Beach Winter Wedding

There’s something about a classic, formal wedding inside of a church that gets me every time. It just feels so pure and cinematic. We love the pews, the pulpit, the architecture, and – if we’re lucky – the beautiful Christmas trees that set the scene for this lovely joining of two souls. Mike and Dieana’s wedding took place at The Beach Church in Virginia Beach, VA, which was the perfect scene for their Winter Wonderland wedding.

These two met at Starbucks about 6 years ago. Mike proposed as soon as God told him to. He knew he had to do things the Lord’s way, and here we are looking at their wedding photographs! Isn’t that the sweetest story?


Even though these two hate the spotlight, they kept their focus on each other and made it through their beautiful wedding day. It really helped also that they decided on doing a first look. Dieana says, it really helped them enjoy their guests more because they got a lot of the photos out of the way early. When these two met eyes at the altar, a sense of calm rushed over them both. Mike was even spotted getting teary eyed as he waited patiently for his beautiful bride, Dieana. 



About their wedding day, Dieana said, “The emotions were greater than I imaged. To me, my wedding turned out perfect and the theme just as I imaged it. Thanks to Patricia Heath, my wedding planner..” How about that? 

You guys are going to rock this whole being married thing. Thanks for sharing your day with us! 

Vendors:

Wedding Planner: Patricia Heath

Dress: David’s Bridal

Caterer: Taqueria La Cabana

Florist: Norfolk Wholesale Floral

Wedding Photographers: Ronny & Reggie Smart SmartShot Photography

Wedding Photo Booth: SmartShot Photo Booths

-Ronny and Reggie Smart

Wedding Series: The significance of the first look

Are First Looks Important?

Many of my couples ask me whether or not they should have a first look. If you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering the same thing. In my professional opinion, I think they are an excellent idea. I love first looks. I know that they are a tad bit ‘untraditional,’ but let me take a minute to explain the benefits of a first look.


1. Your wedding day will be crazy busy. No getting around it. You have so much to do and so little time to do it in. If you have a first look, it helps to calm down the day a bit. Instead of trying to rush around to get everyone together and have pictures taken between the wedding ceremony and reception while your guests are waiting, you’ll have that time to relax and enjoy your guests and not have to worry about being late to your reception. We can do all of the main portraits before the ceremony even begins – at the very least, the bride and groom and bridal party photos. This way, your hair and makeup are still perfect, as they were just finished. If your family is coming earlier, we can do their photos beforehand, as well, or we will only have to worry about those portraits after the ceremony and not the bridal party shots.


2. A first look also gives you a very special, intimate moment with your new spouse. If you are nervous or stressed out, this will especially help to relax you, and your spouse can comfort you and let you know it will all be OK. During the ceremony, there are many of people around and you can’t fully take in the moment because everyone is staring at you. With a first look, that moment is just between you and your spouse (and your photographers, of course). 


3. Even if you have a first look, your husband will be just as happy to see you walking down the aisle and you’ll still take his breath away. Don’t worry that you’ll be spoiling the moment by seeing him prior to the ceremony.