According to Mark’s father, Mr. Davis, Mark and Camille’s wedding day also marked the day that Mark carried on a very important tradition of the Davis men that came before him. As the youngest of five Davis brothers, and the last to get married, Mark would complete the tradition of “marrying up” as his dad would describe it.  And Mark, after knowing you for almost eleven years, I can say that by marrying Camille, who is beautiful, intelligent, and incredibly kind, it may be true that you are marrying up (and let’s be honest, most men do just by the superior nature of women themselves 😉 ), that by no means Camille is getting the raw end of the deal, as you are funny and goofy, laid back, and also incredibly kind. So in that way, it’s your combined attributes that will make you stronger as a husband and wife unit than either of you could be separatly.

Despite a nor’easter hitting just a few days before the wedding, the snow cleared out just in time for Camille and Mark’s wedding day at Christ the Redeemer Church, and reception at the newly renovated Fox Chase Farm in Middleburg, Virginia. With the rolling hills of Virginia Farmland as the backdrop and Camille’s attention to detail, the day was just beautiful. Camille and Mark kicked off the reception by breaking out into the most fun first dance I have ever seen at a wedding after taking dance lessons in preparation for their moment in the spotlight. They were well worth it! Continuing the festivities, the videographers, Toybox Studios had edited a day of wedding video to play at the reception, which was pretty amazing considering they had footage included they’d only taken an hour or so before. Add to those surprises the favor of fresh Duck Donuts for the guests to bring home, and I can safely say this reception did NOT disappoint.

If I am perfectly honest, I almost wasn’t the photographer behind the lens for this day. As a friend of the bride and groom I was originally going to attend the wedding just as a guest, but after taking their engagement photos at Middleton Place while they were visiting Charleston last summer, Mark and Camille asked me to do the honor of capturing their wedding day.  People often ask me if I feel like I am missing out when I photograph a family or friend’s wedding and the answer is a resounding no. As the photographer, I get to spend even MORE time with the bride and groom, which for me is the most fun way to spend a wedding day.  In this case, it also means my husband was a guest, and made me promise him he’d make this blog post, to which I replied that he had to do something worthy of making it. Let’s just say he did. 😉

Camille and Mark, I would have loved your wedding regardless if I had attended as guest, but being able to tell the story of your day is a gift you gave me, and I will never forget it.  And Mark, eleven years ago meeting you at Tyler’s college apartment I knew instantly we were going to be great friends, but this was even better than I imagined. I am beyond thrilled that you have found your match in Camille.  I have no doubt in my mind that this is the beginning of something very special for the two of you, and I can’t wait to watch the rest of your story as Mr. and Mrs. Davis unfold.

the creative team:
VENUE: FOX CHASE FARMS GIRL’S GETTING READY VENUE: SALAMANDER RESORT  CEREMONY VENUE:  CHRIST THE REDEEMER WEDDING COORDINATOR: JULIE OF VOWS AND VINES HAIR AND MAKEUP: KRISTEN OF KRISTEN C. ARTISTRY FLORAL DESIGN: THE GARDEN CLUB OF ALEXANDRIA
CAKE: HONEYBEE PASTRIES CATERING: SMOKIN WILLY DJ: SHEW-SICAL ENTERTAINMENT VIDEOGRAPHER: TOYBOX STUDIOS BRIDES DRESS: ENZOANI  BRIDE’S SHOES: BADGLEY MISCHKA BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: WEDDINGTON WAY GROOM AND GROOMSMEN ATTIRE: MEN’S WAREHOUSE  INVITATIONS: MINTED FURNITURE RENTAL: SOMETHING VINTAGE RENTALS EVENT STYLING/DRAPING: ARTISTIC CONCEPTS GROUP PHOTOGRAPHER: KATE DYE PHOTOGRAPHY SECOND SHOOTER: JEN KUHN PHOTOGRAPHY