May the 4th Be With You Wedding

My Godson and his beautiful bride were married on May the 4th. Yes. It's a Star Wars thing. Cassidy and Whitten were quick to let us all know "it's not a themed wedding". The fact that the bride was representing her favorite story, Harry Potter, and the groom rep'd his fave, Star Wars, didn't make it a themed wedding at all... nor did the Yoda-spoken "Save the date, you must." cards. I can go on, but you get the idea. So it was not a themed wedding, just subtle hints of the things these two are passionate about. I don't think I need to tell you how fun it was to photograph the wedding! 

I mean, for starters, the bride's color was my favorite! BLUE!!!

Her grandma was the coolest lady there!

...and my handsome Godson, Cassidy was her groom.

They were married in a fairytale venue in Virginia. Greenock Manor dates back to before the civil war, and provided a perfect backdrop for all the moments everyone was capturing! The ladies dressed in private rooms, the wedding party stayed on site in the guest rooms. Lighting was beautiful in the rooms, making it easy for make-up artist Cory Gressett to make each girl a princess, and the bride a queen! Chanel, the owner, was as charming and helpful as anyone could ask for! Such lovely people, such a lovely experience!

Dad and bride had their moment upstairs, outside the rooms of this beautiful historical manor.

Did I mention the bride loves the Harry Potter story? She & her bridesmaids carrie wands! The fresh flowers were brilliantly built onto the tip of the wands, and each girl carried the wand that chose her.

Cassidy's groomsmen all wore Star Wars socks, but there will be more on that later... to honor her son's choice, The groom's mom wore a dress based on one of General Leia's dresses. 

The ceremony was outside, under the trees. and simply beautiful.

I think maybe Chewbacca came in disguise?

These two ladies casting floral spells on each other are sisters of the groom... and they are each employed by branches of our military. They REALLY ARE fighting warriors!

I love the sentimental touch of having a memorial table to include those family and friends who have passed away.

...did I mention the Star Wars socks?

The details everywhere at this wedding were stunning.

The groom and his "Gamer Guys"

The bride and the "Gamer Girls"

There is something so inspiring about weddings... hope for the future of love!

I stole the wedding couple away for a quick retreat and time alone with the camera.

Did I say every detail was perfect?

Just when you thought it could not get any more beautiful, the evening revealed her true colors!

...and so did Cassidy & Whitten.

Did I mention the groom's party had Star Wars socks? They had cigars too. I think Han would approve, but the wookie... not so sure... 

Howdy Scotland!!!!

Scotland. Of all the places to vacation, why would anyone choose SCOTLAND?! I mean really, what's there... nothing but big mountains, so many lakes, old buildings, and people who talk without filters.

Wait, I forgot to use adjectives. big BEAUTIFUL mountains, so many AMAZING lakes...

I also forgot some nouns... Castles, Islands, Forests, Modern Cities, Great Performing Arts, and my favorite: People who love the earth, and are not afraid to use strong "adjectives" to say so.

I am Texan. My husband has Texas roots so far back they seem to have grown through the earth and surfaced in Scotland. He HATES traveling, but he found himself drawn to Scotland after watching several shows and films made there. We love the Monty Python series, and Outlander of course.

He once asked me "Is it really that beautiful there?" "Let's go find out!" We have made our first of many trips there, falling in love with the place immediately.

Texas and Scotland are a lot alike. Both fiercely independent states of a larger country that "absorbed" them, both fighting for that lost independence. Both have cultures that respect nature, where ranching and farming are essential to the economic growth, & grand landscapes that take the traveler from mountain to coast stopping in amazing modern cities on the way.

We stayed in a small village pub with rooms to rent, a large all-inclusive hotel, and an inner city apartment. We loved them all, but our son loved the small pub house best. He said it was like staying at the Prancing Pony in Lord of the Rings! I loved my Highlander Coffee!

Our stay took us from Loch Ard to Edinburgh. We rented a car and loved the freedom of the drive! We visited three castles, explored the forests, shopped in the city, and relaxed in pubs. One of my favorite things is where old meets new.

My husband found his football number!

 

And blue doors. They have blue doors. I knew I'd love this place!

SO, where to next? The Highlands? The east coast full of castles, or the west coast and all those beautiful islands? So much to choose from!!! My husband actually suggested we get a summer home there!