Kyle & Anna: A Virginia Mountain Wedding at King Family Vineyards

A week and a half ago, at a magical, foggy Virginia mountain wedding at King Family Vineyards, I witnessed two incredible people exchange vows in the steady spring rain, without hesitation. Outside amongst the mountains. Their first look and private vows took place in front of a stunning trio of wooden arches resembling mountains draped in dusty eucalyptus, blue thistle, and sprinkled white florals. Anna cried, and giggled through how they drive each other nuts. And Kyle? Kyle had to take a moment. Before he could continue the promises he made to her, Kyle went speechless. And that quiet moment, where all I could do was hold my hand over my heart and not cry happy tears for my friends, was so symbolic to how it panned out. Everywhere around us, storms were wreaking havoc, but there? Right where they were, nestled in between the mountains, seeing each other for the first time? The rain stopped.

I told Anna from the moment the extended forecast said rain, that it wouldn’t rain when it wasn’t supposed to. She would get her time outside, with Kyle, amongst her mountains. This is the part where I get to sneak in an “I told you so.” (I will forever tell you so, my friend.) Anna and I share the same brain, you guys. Everything from our professions to our love of the mountains and the ocean to ideas that get shocked, but not-so-shocked, looks from the other because we think the same way. There’s so much more to how crazy alike we are, so when Anna told me what they wanted for their day, I knew I had to do some serious praying for the rain to stay away and knew that she’d do just what I thought she would if she had to, with Kyle’s full support.

Marry the love of her life…in the rain.

And that she did. Barefooted and in her Hayley Paige wedding gown, she happy cried her way toward Kyle, and they got married in the rain, amidst the mountains, in the place where she felt closest to God. It was SO cool to watch their bridal party, parents, and grandparents brave the rain to support them as they exchanged vows, took polaroids of each other as Mr. and Mrs., and laughed back up the aisle together. It was the most spontaneous of wedding days, where plans sort of didn’t go as planned and timelines changed but resulted in the perfect day. And man, were they surrounded in love.

It’s been such a privilege to photograph Kyle and Anna’s love story to this point. From the hilarious, sneaky plans to surprise the photographer EVERYONE knows photographs proposals and knows what to look for, to their gorgeous engagement session in the mountains where they call home, to their perfectly adventurous, rainy, foggy Virginia mountain wedding. And I have to tell you, it’s an honor to be the wedding photographer that another wedding photographer chooses. Especially knowing the incredibly talented people we know who do what we do.

Beyond that, they chose one amazing vendor team, and they’re people I’d work with again in a heartbeat. King Family Vineyards is one beautiful venue, but wait until you see the gorgeous greenery, florals, and mountain arches the talented Kimberly Lunsford of Florals by Kimberly created. (And assembled in the rain with her team.) I wish you could have tasted the cake that Lisa Link baked for the two of them, but just as importantly, she created a cake that was PERFECTLY Kyle and Anna. You just have to see, so, I won’t make you wait any longer.

Kyle and Anna, I cannot tell you how honored I am to have been there for you guys and to witness such an unforgettable Virginia mountain wedding. It was truly breathtaking, and perfectly you. To have seen it all unravel from sneaky phone calls and a yes that finally squeaked its way out in between crying and laughter to vows of forever in the pouring rain. I cannot wait for your next adventure, and I cannot wait to watch all of the blessings you have yet to experience come your way. I love you guys!

Vendor Team:

Photographer // Melissa Durham Photography

Second Photographer // Katie LaBello of ksant photography

Videographer // Abbey Dillard Photo + Video

Venue // King Family Vineyards

Coordinators // Lisa Link + Brenna Link

Cake Designer // Lisa Link

Officiant // J.R. Graybill

Floral Designer // Florals by Kimberly

DJ // Roy Prusak of RSP Entertainment

Caterer // BBQ Connection

Hair Stylist // Brandy Moorman of Beautiful Brides by Brandy

Makeup Artist // Joanna Heims of Faces by Joanna

Wedding Gown Designer // Hayley Paige

Bridal Boutique // Studio I Do Roanoke

Bridesmaids Dresses // Various

Groom’s Attire // Jos. A. Bank

Groomsmen Attire // Jos. A. Bank

Jeweler // Kay Jewelers

Skincare/Tanning // Glo Custom Spray Tanning

Calligraphy & Signage // Jordan Nallen

Table Numbers + Adventure Sign // Isabelle Russell of Belle Garden Estate

Invitation Suite // Minted + Vistaprint