top of page

2020: A Year of Weddings, Covid, and Unbelievable Adventure in Virginia

In the chaos of 2020, I found myself photographing my best friend's wedding in rural Virginia—while battling heavy Covid symptoms. Was it the brightest idea to power through? Probably not. Was it unforgettable? Absolutely.

It all started with the dreamiest setup: we rented an old mill near a peaceful river, surrounded by local greenery. As the designated designer, I was tasked with creating a boho wedding arch adorned with pampas grass—because boho chic was absolutely non-negotiable. 

The day before the wedding, I was a one-woman show, crafting everything from the bridal bouquet to the arch decorations using a blend of fresh flowers and silk blooms I’d grabbed last-minute at Michaels on the way down. With a few leftover florals, I couldn’t resist decorating the bride's hat, adding the perfect finishing touch to her boho look—because, well, everything had to scream boho chic.

 We strung lights along an old brick wall and styled a cozy coffee table for the wedding dinner. It was perfection… minus the fact that I felt like I’d been steamrolled by Covid.

That night was a total blur, - 8 hours of driving and Shoping , decorating the house until midnight and for dinner, we went all out—sausages and buckwheat served on the finest plastic plates. Fancy? Nope. Tasty? You bet! 

By the time I fell into bed, I was absolutely wiped out, hoping I'd feel better come morning.







But Morning Had Other Plans

At 8 a.m., the bridal hair (yes, I’m also the hairstylist) needed to start. I opened my eyes and realized... I couldn't even sit up. I struggled for 30 minutes, convincing myself I just needed a bit more rest.

At 9:30 a.m., my best friend—the bride—gently touched my hand and asked, “Do you want me to cancel everything? Just say the word, and I will.” 

Her eyes were so sad and understanding, and there I was with a fever and barely enough energy to respond. But I managed to whisper, “Give me 30 more minutes. I’ll get up.”

Feeling down, I knew I was irreplaceable that day, but if I stayed, I would’ve ruined the whole plan.

In those 30 minutes, I summoned every ounce of power in me—honestly, it felt like a scene from a superhero movie. I crawled out of bed, down the spiral stairs, shoved some oatmeal in my mouth, and got to work on the bridal hair. 

By some miracle, I started feeling better as we arrived at the venue.  Probably because of the fresh air—or maybe it was my deep sense of responsibility when it comes to weddings. All the arch decorations were already in place, which saved my life because all I had to do was show up.




And Then Came the Wedding Day Magic

The ceremony was set to start at 1 p.m. sharp because the couple’s families overseas were watching via livestream, and there was no moving the timeline.


At first, the vibe was a bit tense, mainly due to one very unimpressed little boy who quickly realized this wasn’t the fun kid activity he’d hoped for. That was Matthew, the 2-year-old son of the bride and groom.

But then he spotted a piece of wood shaped like a gun, and suddenly we had our very own James Bond! He posed dramatically, pew-pewing imaginary enemies, and the mood shifted completely. The laughter broke the tension, and the ceremony felt alive again.

It was a heartfelt affair. The groom's vows were so emotional, they brought everyone to tears... while the bride (oops) forgot to write hers. Improvisation for the win!






The Photo Session Saga

After the ceremony, we raced to a nearby horse barn because the bride had dreamed her whole life of photos with a horse. As luck would have it, we were promptly turned away—no horses for us were available for some reason..

But  it was a small village, and when locals know your story, miracles happen. A kind couple heard our dilemma and invited us to their private ranch, where they had their own horses. I can’t remember their names, but their generosity saved the day. The ranch was stunning—rolling fields, beautiful landscaping, and all the boho vibes you could ask for.





But Wait, There's More

It was almost 4 p.m., and we were in full-on sprint mode to the local USPS to return the bridal rental dress—because what's a wedding day without some last-minute chaos? We barely made it, but hey, the bride was changing on the go, proving that no task is too big when you're determined to get it all done, even if it means a quick wardrobe swap along the way.


Finally, back at the old mill, but … the photo session wasn’t over yet! There were still more details to handle, more moments to capture, and more work to be done. The day was far from done, and I was right back at it, making sure everything was perfect.







By 10 pm we lit a fire, poured a glass of wine, and sat down to breathe. For the first time all day, it felt like we could relax.

...Until the groom got bitten by some mysterious insect. Suddenly, the peaceful night turned into him scanning every corner of the room for another alien invader.





Looking Back


In the end, that wedding was pure chaos mixed with magic. Despite the fever, the spiral stairs, the wooden James Bond, the runaway horses, and a possibly venomous bug, it was perfect in its own unique way. Virginia, you were wild—but I wouldn’t trade this story for anything.




コメント


 Tags
Follow Us
  • Black Instagram Icon
  • Pinterest Social Icon
  • Facebook Classic
bottom of page