“MICHELLE … THANK YOU SO SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR TALENT WITH US…
YOU’RE AMAZING
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!”
-ANNA AND CAMERON
An incredible full weekend wedding that was captured from start to finish. From their rehearsal at The Jefferson Hotel to their Welcome Party on the Solaire Rooftop. To their unbelievably gorgeous and colorful wedding day filled with so much personality. A beautiful and sacred Catholic Mass followed by a jaw dropping cocktail hour and dinner scene at the Virginia Country Club. Finished off with an epic party in the beautifully decorated Sperry Sailtop tent. This gallery is just so multi-faceted and filled with unforgettable memories and elegant moments.
All film, digital, and drone photography by Michelle Elyse Photography.
We truly could not be more thrilled to have been able to capture this incredible wedding weekend for Anna and Cameron! Congratulations you two! I’m forever your #1 Fan! ~Michelle
Vendors & Venues
Planning + Design: Glint Events @glintevents
Photography: Michelle Elyse Photography @michelleelysephoto
Videography: David and Sarah Films @davidandsarahfilms
Florals: Remi & Gold @remiandgold
Venue/Catering: The Country Club of Virginia @the_ccv
Decor: Something Vintage, Paisley & Jade, Rent E Quip @smthingvintage @paisleyandjade @rentequipva
Linens: BBJ La Tavola, Nuage @bbjlatavola @nuagedesignsinc
Stationary: Chandler D. Designs @chandler_d_designs
Band: The Free @samhillentertainment
Lighting: Lighting Professors @lightingprofessors
Live Painter: Matt Lively Art @mattlively
Mini Print Vending Machine: Charlie Prints @charlieprintsvending
Bridal Shop: Kleinfields @klienfieldbridal
MUAH: Avenue 42 Salon @ave42salon
Getting Ready Hotel: Jefferson Hotel @thejeffersonhotel
Transport: RVA Trolley, Richmond Limosine @richmondlimo
Church: Pro Cathedral of St. Peter
Welcome party location: Solaire @solairerooftop
If you’re planning a wedding at one of the beautiful venues of Richmond, Virginia- or anywhere in the world- and want images that are modern, artistic, and authentically you, explore our work via my portfolios and featured events on michelleelysephotography.com.
Anna & Cameron | A Modern, Colorful Virginia Country Club Wedding in Richmond, Virginia
Some weddings feel timeless. Others feel trendy. Anna and Cameron’s wedding weekend somehow managed to be both.
Their celebration in Richmond, Virginia was a masterclass in blending classic elegance with bold personality. From a traditional Catholic ceremony beneath the painted blue skies of the Pro-Cathedral of St. Peter to an unforgettable reception at Virginia Country Club filled with eclectic design details, colorful florals, candlelight, and one of the most energetic dance floors we’ve seen all year, every part of the weekend felt uniquely them.
As luxury wedding photographers who document weddings using digital photography, film photography, and drone photography, weekends like this are exactly why we love what we do. Every event offered a new visual experience, every location had its own personality, and every detail reflected the couple’s creativity and impeccable taste.
Even better, we had the opportunity to document not only the wedding day itself but also their beautiful rehearsal dinner and welcome party the evening before.
A Richmond Wedding Weekend Begins at The Jefferson Hotel: A Day Capture on Film and Digital Photography plus Drone
The celebrations officially began the night before the wedding at one of Richmond’s most iconic landmarks: The Jefferson Hotel.
For couples planning a wedding in Richmond, The Jefferson remains one of the city’s most elegant and historic destinations. Its grand architecture, ornate details, and timeless atmosphere make it a favorite for rehearsal dinners, welcome parties, and wedding weekends alike.
Guests first gathered for cocktails in TJ’s Restaurant & Lounge, where conversations flowed easily as friends and family reunited before the big day.
From there, everyone moved into a beautifully decorated private dining room inside Lemaire Restaurant.
For couples researching rehearsal dinners at Lemaire Richmond, it’s easy to understand why this space is so beloved. The service was impeccable, the cuisine was outstanding, and the atmosphere felt intimate while still accommodating a larger celebration.
Following a wonderful multi-course dinner, wine service, and several heartfelt speeches during an open-mic portion of the evening, the festivities continued at Solaire.
A Rooftop Welcome Party at Solaire & a Drone Wedding Photographer
As guests arrived at Solaire for the welcome party, dark clouds began moving across the Richmond skyline.
Not long after everyone settled in, it started to rain.
Thankfully, everyone found shelter and continued celebrating while waiting out the weather.
The delay ended up being worth it.
As the rain passed, the skies opened just enough to reveal incredible views over Richmond. We quickly launched our drone and captured some breathtaking aerial images of the rooftop celebration and surrounding cityscape.
These images became some of our favorite photographs from the entire weekend.
One of the benefits of working with a photographer who incorporates drone photography into wedding coverage is the ability to showcase not only the people and details but also the environment that surrounds the celebration.
Richmond looked absolutely stunning from above.
Wedding Morning at The Jefferson Hotel
The following morning, Anna and her bridal party returned to The Jefferson Hotel to prepare for the wedding day.
The Jefferson provides some of the most beautiful getting-ready spaces in Richmond, filled with natural light, elegant architectural details, and timeless charm.
Anna’s vision for her wedding party perfectly reflected the overall design aesthetic of the weekend.
Rather than selecting identical bridesmaid dresses, each bridesmaid wore a unique color and style tailored specifically to her personality and preferences.
The result felt fresh, modern, and fashion-forward.
Despite the variety of colors and silhouettes, everything coordinated beautifully. The collection of dresses added visual interest while complementing the eclectic design direction that would later unfold throughout the reception.
As photographers, we love when couples allow individuality to shine through details like these. The resulting photographs feel more personal, more authentic, and ultimately more memorable.
A Traditional Catholic Ceremony at the Pro-Cathedral of St. Peter with Myself and My Wedding Photographer Team
From The Jefferson, everyone made their way to the Pro-Cathedral of St. Peter in downtown Richmond.
The church itself is breathtaking.
One of its most striking features is the ceiling painted with a soft blue sky and clouds, creating an atmosphere that feels both grand and serene.
Anna and Cameron chose to honor their faith through a full Catholic wedding Mass complete with communion.
The ceremony felt deeply meaningful and reverent while still reflecting the warmth and joy that defined the entire weekend.
Throughout the Mass, beautiful moments unfolded naturally between the couple, their families, and their guests.
These authentic moments are what we strive to capture through our documentary approach to wedding photography.
Rather than interrupting or directing the experience, our goal is to preserve the emotions and interactions exactly as they occur.
The result is a collection of images that allows couples to relive their wedding day decades later.
A Rainy Richmond Interlude
As guests exited the church and boarded the trolley transportation back toward Virginia Country Club, something unexpected happened.
The skies opened.
A soft drizzle began falling across Richmond.
Fortunately, the timing couldn’t have been better.
Guests remained comfortable aboard the trolley while making their way toward cocktail hour, and the brief rain shower only added to the romantic atmosphere of the day.
Sometimes the most memorable wedding moments are the ones no one planned.
Cocktail Hour at Virginia Country Club
Virginia Country Club is one of Richmond’s premier wedding venues, and Anna and Cameron made full use of its beautiful spaces throughout the evening.
Because of the rain, cocktail hour was held indoors, creating an intimate atmosphere where guests could mingle while exploring the incredible details carefully curated by the couple and their design team.
One standout feature was the raw bar.
Fresh oysters and seafood were enjoyed throughout cocktail hour and quickly became a guest favorite.
Another unforgettable detail was a custom postcard dispenser featuring original artwork created specifically for the wedding.
The illustrations captured the ambiance and aesthetic of the celebration and served as both decor and keepsake.
Thoughtful touches like these elevated the guest experience while reinforcing the couple’s unique vision.
An Eclectic and Colorful Ballroom Reveal
When guests entered the Virginia Country Club ballroom for dinner, they were greeted with an absolutely spectacular scene.
The design felt modern, artistic, playful, and luxurious all at once.
Pinks.
Reds.
Yellows.
Layered patterns.
Funky candlesticks.
Wavy frames.
Vintage-inspired details.
Snake lamps.
And those unforgettable red fringed lamps that lined the tables and cast the most beautiful glow throughout the room.
The design struck a perfect balance between edgy and elegant.
It felt contemporary without feeling trendy and sophisticated without feeling formal.
One of the most impressive aspects was how seamlessly these eclectic elements blended with the traditional architecture and preppy character of Virginia Country Club.
The result was a reception space unlike anything we had seen before.
Dinner, Toasts, and Candlelight
As dinner service began, the ballroom transformed into an intimate, candlelit gathering space.
Guests shared stories, laughter, and conversation while enjoying an exceptional meal surrounded by incredible design.
One of our favorite aspects of documentary wedding photography is capturing these unscripted interactions.
The way friends lean in during conversation.
The laughter that erupts unexpectedly.
Parents watching their children across the room.
These are often the photographs couples treasure most years later.
Several heartfelt toasts followed dinner.
There was plenty of laughter, a few tears, and countless moments that reflected the deep relationships surrounding Anna and Cameron.
A Vintage-Inspired Wedding Cake
Before the dance floor opened, the couple gathered for their cake cutting.
Their multi-tiered vintage-inspired cake perfectly matched the overall aesthetic of the wedding.
Elegant yet playful.
Classic yet modern.
The cake served as another example of how every detail throughout the weekend felt intentionally connected.
A Sperry Tent Reception Under the Stars
Following dinner, guests transitioned outdoors to an extraordinary Sperry Tent reception.
The tent itself felt like a completely different world.
A dramatic floral entrance welcomed guests inside.
Custom-painted blue bars framed the space.
Lounge areas filled with eclectic furniture encouraged conversation.
Rattan lighting and disco balls hung overhead.
The stage setup created the perfect backdrop for the evening’s entertainment.
Everywhere you looked, there was another detail to discover.
This was not simply a dance tent.
It was an experience.
An Unforgettable Dance Floor
Once the band began playing, the energy exploded.
The dance floor remained packed for the rest of the evening.
Friend groups reunited.
Family members danced together.
Guests sang along at the top of their lungs.
The atmosphere was electric.
These are the moments where documentary photography truly shines.
Rather than directing anything, we simply observed and captured the joy unfolding naturally.
The resulting photographs feel alive because the moments themselves were genuine.
Espresso Martinis, Cannolis, and Late-Night Fun
As the evening progressed, guests were surprised with passed espresso martinis and cannolis.
The treats arrived at exactly the right moment, fueling another wave of energy on the dance floor.
To keep the celebration going, friendship bracelets, tambourines, and playful sunglasses were distributed throughout the tent.
The additions brought an extra layer of fun and spontaneity to an already incredible party.
Everywhere we looked, guests were laughing, dancing, and fully immersed in the experience.
A Stylish Outfit Change and Bubble Send-Off
Before the evening concluded, Anna changed into a second look that perfectly suited the late-night festivities.
The outfit change brought renewed excitement as guests gathered outside for the send-off.
Surrounded by bubbles floating through the night air, Anna and Cameron shared one final celebratory moment with their family and friends.
It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable day.
Or perhaps more accurately—the perfect transition.
Because after the send-off, guests boarded buses and headed to the late-night after-party to continue celebrating.
Working with Glint Events
None of this would have been possible without the incredible planning and design team at Glint Events.
Working alongside Brooke, Katy, and Beth Ann was an absolute joy. Every detail was flawlessly executed.
Brooke’s organization, creativity, and calm leadership allowed the entire weekend to flow effortlessly.
The Glint Events team created a guest experience that felt luxurious, personal, and completely seamless.
A Wedding Photographer in Richmond : A Wedding Weekend We’ll Never Forget
Anna and Cameron’s Richmond wedding weekend brought together everything we love about luxury wedding photography.
Iconic Richmond venues.
Extraordinary design.
Meaningful traditions.
Unforgettable celebrations.
And a couple who fully embraced every moment.
For couples lookign for a Richmond wedding photographer. Whether at Virginia Country Club, The Jefferson Hotel, Lemaire Restaurant, or elsewhere throughout Richmond, this celebration serves as a beautiful reminder that the most memorable weddings are those that reflect who you truly are.
As photographers who document weddings using film, digital, and drone photography, our goal is always to preserve not only how your wedding looked, but how it felt.
Anna and Cameron’s wedding felt joyful.
Colorful.
Creative.
Heartfelt.
And completely unforgettable.
Keywords: Richmond Wedding Photography, Richmond Wedding Photographer, VCC Wedding, Virginia Country Club Wedding, Luxury Richmond Wedding Photography