Introduction
Last October, I photographed a small courthouse wedding in Manassas, VA. While a straightforward blog about it would have been sufficient, the bride is one of my best friends. Plus, doing the bare minimum isn’t really my style. So instead, I invite you to come on a bit of a journey with me. Because this blog isn’t just about how we captured the initial magical moments of her happily ever after — it's also a story of how a woman’s determination to grow and love herself manifested the relationship she had always wanted.
The Backstory
Sometimes the best thing to come out of a bad situation has nothing to do with the situation itself — and that was definitely the case with Alysha. When our future‑exes introduced us in 2013, she was the anxious introvert to my chaotic extrovert. It took a minute for a tornado and a stray cat to form a bond, but we got there. (And, yes, that is the best photo I have of us from back then.)
Over the years, I’ve watched her earn multiple degrees while teaching full‑time, undergo gastric bypass surgery, and rebuild her lifestyle from the ground up. I’ve seen her tackle the struggles of starting over when life doesn’t go as planned, learn how to enjoy her own company, and challenge deep-seeded beliefs that once held her back. In short: I’ve had a front-row seat to her becoming herself.
When she first told me about Jesus, I was skeptical. Her track record with men wasn’t great, and I worried he’d be another setback. But it was her life, her choice — so I grabbed my popcorn, took my seat, and watched.
What I saw was an imperfect man who was determined to grow and love her the way she deserved. A guy who respected her boundaries, worked through issues with her, and never asked her to be anything but herself. A partner who encouraged her progress. So when she told me they were engaged, I was genuinely thrilled. And when she asked me to be their wedding photographer, the answer was an obvious yes.
The Wedding Photography Planning
When it came time to plan the day, I started by sending her my usual questionnaire — the one that covers the basics like attire, the vibe she wants reflected in her photos, and any must‑have or absolutely‑not shots. Alysha didn’t have a specific style in mind, but she did say she wanted photos that felt unique and unexpected.
From there, we moved to one of my favorite tools: the ever‑trusty Pinterest board. I had her pin a few images first so I could see where her head was visually. The themes were clear right away — authenticity and balance. Using her pins, our texts, and her questionnaire responses, I pulled together pose ideas, prop suggestions, and things to keep in mind once we were on location.
Speaking of location: Alysha and Jesus chose the courthouse because they wanted the day to focus on what mattered most — their love. But the indoor schedule was booked past their date, so the new plan was to have the ceremony on the patio just outside. After that, we’d wander around Old Town Manassas for photos and wrap things up with a quick stop at Dunkin’ before heading to dinner.
If you’re dreaming up your own small or intimate wedding and want a photographer who helps you shape the vision, I’d love to be part of that process.
The Wedding Day in Manassas, VA
Getting Ready
The morning of the wedding, I met Alysha at her Memaw’s house to grab a few behind‑the‑scenes shots before we headed to the Manassas Courthouse. When I got there, Alysha was already aglow with her freshly curled hair and light glam makeup look done by MUA Samia Ahmad (@bysamiaahmad). A few minutes later her mom helped her into her dress — a soft mix of draping and lace — and then it was time to slip on the sequined flats she’d both been super excited about, grab her faux‑fur shawl, and head out the door.
The First Look and Courthouse Ceremony
We’d planned to do a first look, so after we parked, Alysha called Jesus and had him close his eyes as we walked over. She approached him from behind, and the second he turned around, his jaw dropped — followed immediately by hugging, twirling, and the cutest reaction I could’ve hoped for as both her friend and her photographer.
After the first look, the officiant led the ceremony, we grabbed photos with everyone who came to support them and then headed downtown.
Portraits in Downtown Manassas
Stop 1: The Old Manassas Courthouse
Before we drove downtown, we walked the two-ish blocks from the current courthouse to the Old Manassas Courthouse. Alysha had spotted the gorgeous red building earlier and wanted a few shots at its dramatic entrance. Once we got those, it was time to move on.
stop 2: The manassas railroad depot
Our first downtown stop was the Manassas Railroad Depot. Built in 1914, it’s still an active train station, and its outdoor waiting area gave us some great spots for more traditional poses. The pillars along the boarding area framed them beautifully.
Then we hopped onto the train tracks for some dreamy shots. The tracks themselves added a cool touch, and the surrounding foliage made the whole scene feel cinematic.
stop 3: The gazebo
This wasn’t on our original list, but we passed the cutest little gazebo on the way to our next location. It was only a stone’s throw from the depot, so we made a quick stop for some close‑up portraits.
stop 4: the manassas love sign
One of Alysha’s few requests was to get photos at the massive LOVE sign. So, of course we made that happen. This stop was a blast. We got romantic shots, silly shots, and everything in between. By this point, all three of us were a little food‑deprived and slightly delirious, which honestly might have made the photos even better.
stop 5: Dunkin Donuts
Alysha and Jesus have been consistently going to Dunkin’ together since they started dating. And, now, it’s just one of their things. To commemorate that, Alysha wanted a few photos there on their wedding day. So we went, grabbed coffee and donuts, took some sweet (and very on‑brand) shots, and then sat for a few minutes to eat before heading to dinner.
The Dinner Celebration
At around 5:30pm, we met a few of Alysha and Jesus’ closest family and friends at Semi Freddo Manassas for a celebratory dinner. I had two key goals during this time: 1) Capture the fun atmosphere and authentic joy expressed by all parties through the evening and 2) Make sure to get a photo of the bride and groom with each guest.
The Bigger Story
Alysha’s happily‑ever‑after wasn’t luck. It was the result of choosing herself over and over again — saying no to what hurt, yes to what healed, and learning to treat herself with the same kindness she gave everyone else. Her relationship with Jesus grew out of that work, not in place of it.
And that’s the part of her story that matters most. Love didn’t save her. She saved herself — and love met her there.
You deserve that too: to feel safe, loved, and celebrated in every phase of your life.
Conclusion
Being asked to photograph Alysha and Jesus’s wedding felt like closing a loop I’d been watching her trace for years. I’ve seen her fight for herself, grow into herself, and finally choose a love that reflects the work she’s done. Standing behind the camera that day wasn’t just about documenting a ceremony — it was about witnessing a woman I care about step fully into the life she built with intention and courage.
Their wedding was small, simple, and deeply them. No spectacle. No noise. Just two people choosing each other with clarity and joy. And getting to capture that — as her friend and her photographer — was one of the easiest yeses I’ve ever given.
If you’re planning a wedding that feels more like you than like a production, I’d love to help you tell that story. Because everyone deserves to be seen in the moments that matter most.
