Luxury Backyard Wedding at the Bride’s Family Estate in Virginia plus Welcome Party & Rehearsal
This is one you have to see to believe. And when you see it, you’ll probably agree with me that with an estate like this- it would be a sin NOT to have a wedding at their own property. Featuring heirloom silver, sprawling meadows, a columned georgian estate, and a terraced boxwood garden. This is a wedding that would make Fran from the Father of the Bride beam with pride.
A few favorites above…now onto the rest of the experience.
This couple chose to book Extended 2 Day Coverage that included their Wedding Day plus Rehearsal & Welcome Party Coverage. Below is the full weekend’s events
REHEARSAL DINNER:
In celebration of the couple’s upcoming honeymoon touring through Spain and Portugal, Thomas’ parents planned a fete full of spanish influence. From the beautiful dinner under the waving trees, to the smooth Cava that filled their glasses, and the Paella feast cooked right in front of them- this beautiful evening was unforgettable. And though it may not have been the main event of the weekend, it very well deserves a few moments in the spotlight.
There is nothing more romantic to me than an al fresco dinner at a fully set table as the trees sway above and tablecloths rustle in the wind.
Lillian clearly has killer taste. Her Hot Pink strapless dress is an example.
We enjoyed just a few minutes alone as the sun began to set over the rolling hills of Central Virginia.
WELCOME PARTY:
As the sun set, dozens more family and friends came to join the party. String lights twinkled above as guests sipped martinis and laughed together.
WEDDING DAY:
After an absolutely incredible celebration on Friday, Saturday was bound to be magical. Welcome to the gorgeous family estate. In her father’s speech, Lillian’s dad spoke about how he carried her through that very front door as a baby. And this day, she walked through as a bride with her now husband.
When the wedding is on your own property, you get to do whatever you want. And so Lillian’s family had custom stone steps built up to the tent site, which beautifully framed it.
Like her own fairytale moment, Lillian walked down the boxwood hedges as her cousin carried her train.
Congratulations to the newlyweds!!!
Lillian’s mom is an event planner, and they coordinated the most beautiful classic green and white palette with striped tablecloths and various shades of green. The beautiful silver centerpieces were sourced from their own heirloom collection that they had been gathering over the years.
I mean, what a property! It was important that our team capture various drone photos throughout the day to fully capture the scope of this beautiful setting and the people within it.
As guests continue to enjoy cocktail hour, we head out into her family’s pastures to capture some chic newlywed photos.
At last, it was time for dinner! Grilled lobster and various food stations were on the menu
This tent under the full moon was a sight to behold
Seafood was served from a boat sourced from their Maine vacation home. How cute!
What an elegant celebration! Thank you so much for asking me to be a part of it, Lilliana and Thomas! Your wedding weekend was simply unforgettable! ~Michelle
A Luxury Private Estate Wedding in Central Virginia
Luxury Tented Wedding with Georgian Charm
In the heart of Central Virginia, tucked between rolling pastures and quiet country roads, sits a Georgian-style estate that has been in the bride’s family for years. With its white columned façade, terraced boxwood gardens, and panoramic views of the Blue Ridge foothills. This historic property offered the most romantic and meaningful setting imaginable for a truly unforgettable day.
This exquisite private estate wedding was captured by Michelle Elyse Photography, an editorial wedding photographer serving virginia. Celebrated for her intuitive documentary approach and effortless, fashion-forward style. With sweeping drone shots and luminous, emotional imagery, Michelle and her team documented every detail of this celebration with an eye for storytelling and timeless beauty.
From an intimate garden ceremony to a green-and-white tented reception filled with heirloom silver and seasonal florals. This wedding was the perfect blend of tradition, elegance, and organic luxury.
A Luxury Backyard Wedding in the Boxwood Gardens
The ceremony took place in the terraced boxwood gardens directly behind the family home. Guests were greeted by the scent of blooming lillies and a gentle summer breeze as they took their seats among the carefully manicured hedges.
The aisle wove through the garden’s natural geometry. Guiding the bride through a sculpted tunnel of green. With towering boxwoods on either side and the family’s Georgian estate in the background, the ceremony felt both intimate and timeless. Like stepping into a scene from a Jane Austen novel. But with a modern sense of grace and ease.
As the bride and groom exchanged vows under the dappled shade of an old oak tree, Michelle Elyse Photography captured the emotion with her signature documentary style. No stiff posing. Just real, honest, beautiful moments that reflected the joy and authenticity of the day.
Editorial Portraits and Drone Photography Across the Estate
After the ceremony, the couple stole a few quiet moments together across the sprawling pastures and under the long southern light. With such a breathtaking estate at their feet, the opportunity for portraits was endless. Michelle and her team used both handheld and drone photography to capture sweeping views of the landscape. From aerial shots of the ceremony garden to wide portraits showcasing the symmetry of the home and the grandeur of the tented reception area.
Michelle Elyse Photography is known as a top wedding photographer serving the Charlottesville area and destinations for good reason. Her editorial yet deeply personal approach results in imagery that feels both artful and real. The bride’s long train caught in the breeze. Groomsmen laughing in front of the house. All of it was captured as it happened, without interruption, but with a clear and elegant point of view.
A Luxury Tented Wedding Beneath the Full Moon
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, guests made their way to a sailcloth tent nestled beside the pasture. The tent seemed to rise organically from the landscape. With its graceful white peaks and draped sides open to let the breeze in and the views out.
The reception was designed in a lush green and white palette that echoed the natural surroundings. Tree branches, seasonal greenery, and overflowing white florals adorned every surface. From suspended installations over the dance floor to delicate sprigs tucked into napkin rings.
What made the décor truly special was the inclusion of the bride’s family heirloom silver. Polished candelabras, trays, and vases were used as vessels for the flowers. Lending a sense of history and refined warmth to the celebration. Paired with soft candlelight the result was a setting that felt as though it had always belonged to the estate.
Guests dined on locally inspired fare beneath the canopy of the tent. Raising glasses of champagne as the couple shared their first dance. As a luxury backyard tented wedding, it was both elevated and personal. A true reflection of the couple’s style and heritage.
Serving Virginia’s Most Beautiful Destinations. Destination, Coast to Coast, and Central Virginia / Charlottesville Wedding Photographer
Michelle Elyse Photography is proud to serve weddings throughout Virginia and the surrounding region. From Charlottesville, Richmond, and Washington, DC, to Roanoke, Staunton, Harrisonburg, Blacksburg, and Hot Springs. Her style is adaptive to various venues and vibes. She connects will with couples planning a private estate wedding, a luxury backyard tented wedding, or a celebration at one of Virginia’s many vineyards, historic homes, or mountain retreats.
This wedding at the bride’s family estate is just one example of how Michelle approaches each event. With quiet intuition, artistic direction, and a deep respect for the moments that matter. Whether she’s capturing an editorial bridal portrait on the front steps of a Georgian estate. Or the unguarded joy of a father seeing his daughter for the first time in her dress. Michelle brings an unmistakable warmth and vision to her work.
Planning a Backyard Wedding in Virginia?
If you’re dreaming of a wedding that feels elegant, deeply personal, and rooted in place, a private estate wedding offers an extraordinary canvas. And if you’re looking for a Virginia editorial wedding photographer who can beautifully and authentically document your day—without ever making it feel staged—you’re in the right place.
Michelle Elyse Photography specializes in high-end weddings with a sense of story, style, and soul. Reach out to inquire about availability or to learn more about working together. Whether you’re planning in Charlottesville, DC, Hot Springs, NY, Atlanta or somewhere far away, Michelle would be honored to capture your day.
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