Vanessa & Tristan | Huntington, West Virginia Wedding
After eight years together Tristan and Vanessa began planning their wedding. We first met this lovely couple at the Starbucks in Barboursville, West Virginia for their first consolation. We instantly fell in love with their sense of humor, laid back nature, and kindness. And they must have liked us as well, because they booked us, signed the contract, and paid their retainer all on that first day.
Leading up to the wedding Summer and I were getting very excited to shoot at a new location- the couple’s wedding was scheduled to take place in Kentucky. The week of the wedding we reached out to make sure the day’s timeline was the same. We found out that Vanessa’s father had recently had surgery and plans were up in the air, decisions still had to be made. The day before the wedding plans changed. The wedding was now taking place at the recovery center Vanessa’s father was at and the reception was to follow at the Maylon House. With the changes, Vanessa and Tristan, with a Kentucky marriage license, got married at a courthouse, thus missing the originally slated first-look photos.
Not wanting them to miss a single moment, we made certain to change the first-look session to a bridal session. We agreed to meet at Ritter Park in Huntington, West Virginia. Summer and I arrived just as rain clouds were clearing and we breathed a sigh of relief. We got a text saying Vanessa and Tristan were running a few minutes late- this happens at every wedding and we used the time for test shots. No sooner than we had received the text did we start seeing couple’s dressed to the 9’s arrive. It was homecoming! High school couple’s were everywhere. We took our second deep breathe for the day (the first when rain clouds appeared earlier in the morning) and decided to forgo the coveted fountain and rose garden areas to utilize other spaces at the park.
As Vanessa, Tristan, and their two adorable children, Izzy and Aiden, made their way through the crowd we were blown away. This group was stunning. Vanessa’s dress was darling and Tristan’s suit was quite dapper. As we began taking photos, Vanessa and Tristan went from nervous to fun-loving. From cute snuggles to dancing in the park, they were full of love and laughter.
Following the bridal session, we went to the ceremony where the hospital had surprised the couple and decorated a break room to be a quaint ceremony space. As Tristan and Vanessa exchanged vows and rings there wasn’t a dry eye in the house; including her dads.
When we first met Vanessa, she told us her must have was family portraits. So, after the ceremony, we popped out to the courtyard and spent time taking family photos. Summer and I are big on family, so we love when we meet a family oriented bride.
After family portraits, we headed to the Maylon House in Milton, West Virginia where we were greeted by the cutest space. Fall florals and Star Wars place “cards” adorned the table. The evening was filled with jokes, stories, and delicious food! (The Linger-Hunts and the bride are a fan of the short ribs and risotto.)
This was by far one of the most emotional weddings we have been a part of to date. You should have seen the grace and elegance exhibited by Vanessa as her wedding was changed around at the last hour. Vanessa and Tristan, you are as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside. And while we bet you are hoping we say “May the force be with you,” in true Linger-Hunt fashion, we say, “May you live long and prosper.”
Photography: with the Linger-Hunts
Flowers: Country Garden Florist
Hair: Mark Campbell
Rings: Zale's
Cake: Paula Vega Cakes
Pre-Ceremony Location: Ritter Park
Reception Location: Maylon House
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