A Fall Alturia Farm Wedding | Josh and Samantha | Virginia Wedding Photographer

Josh and Samantha’s wedding day was so so special. Just one week before their wedding, new restrictions were put in place for in-person gatherings. To a bride, this is devastating. Your wedding day is one you dream about your entire life, and for many 2020 brides it has come crashing down in a matter of seconds. I had several couples whose plans were disrupted by this pandemic, and Samantha and Josh were one of them. As soon as I read the new restrictions, I texted Samantha to offer any guidance. She quickly turned everything around to be positive and made her wedding day one she would never forget.

Josh and Samantha were high school sweethearts and have been waiting for this day for so long. They were surrounded by their closest family and friends on Saturday, and there was so much joy surrounding their day. From the moment I stepped into the bridal suite, I could feel the love and joy for Josh and Samantha. Their friends and family rallied around them and celebrated their marriage with them.

I am fairly certain I cried more on Josh and Samantha’s wedding day than my own. I feel even more connected to wedding days now that I’ve had two of my own (#covidbride). I watched Samantha’s mom button up her dress with tears filling her eyes. She couldn’t believe her baby girl was about to walk down the aisle to the man of her dreams. As Samantha approached her dad for their first look, he had tears streaming down his face with his hands on his knees. Samantha had never seen him cry before, and there wasn’t a dry eye in sight. These are the moments that are so precious to my couples. When I’m in these moments, documenting and experiencing them firsthand, I can literally feel the weight of them. I know how precious these memories are now, and how much value they’ll have in the future.

Josh and Samantha are two of the sweetest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. Their kind hearts and joyful smiles reach everyone they come in contact with, and it’s so evident that the love they have for each other is great. As they exited their ceremony, Josh pulled Samantha in for a kiss and said “Babe! We did it! We’re married! We did it!” It was just me and the coordinators outside to experience it, and it was so sweet. These two are a one of a kind couple, and I’m so grateful to know them!

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Fleming! You did it!