{Real Wedding} Rain, Rain go Away

I love a great love story and this is definitely a good one.  I went to an all female college in Virginia, Mary Baldwin and our brother school was a military college, Virginia Military Institute.  So when I got this wedding submission, I was tickled to death to find out that the wedding took place at historic Washington and Lee campus {YES, there were a many parties attended there!} reception took place at VMI, and then to find out the photographer was from the same town as my college. I am so excited to share this gorgeous wedding from Lauren D. Rogers Photography

From the Photographer

A rainy day was no big deal for Julia and Bradley; they met in the rain.  The couple were married at the historic Lee Chapel on Washington & Lee campus with a reception at the Virginia Military Institute, Brad’s alma mater. Julia planned the wedding site unseen, having never visited Lexington before. After we got engaged, Brad spent the next year in Iraq. It was hard being away from each other for so long but it has made us a stronger couple. I’ll admit it was not easy planning a wedding when you and your fiancé are in different countries, especially when the bride has never been to the area of your wedding venues. I relied a lot on our wedding director and florist, Carolyn Tolley. Brad was a huge help as well. We wanted our wedding to be something inexpensive, simple, yet fun for everyone.” Much of the decor was done by the bride, with graphic assistance from bridesmaid Carolunn of Two Brunettes.

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“Brad’s friends were having a Halloween party. I decided to go at the last minute with my friends (who were Brad’s friend’s neighbors). Brad sat next to me and sparked a conversation. He ended up walking me the short distance back to my house and walked home in the rain. I thought I’d never see him again. 

He got my number through our friends and here we are! 

The sun came out just long enough for bridal portraits and group photos.

 ” Brad is very simple but thoughtful. He drove himself crazy for a week trying to find the perfect way to ask me (he knew the story would have to be retold). He finally decided on a Sunday afternoon to ask me in a simple way. We were sitting on the couch and he went upstairs to get something. When he got back, he kneeled in front of me and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. 

 and when it came time to make the way to the reception hall, Brad (a Navy man), pressed a young cadet into service for his rain slicker.

After we got engaged, Brad spent the next year in Iraq. It was hard being away from each other for so long but it has made us a stronger couple. I’ll admit it was not easy planning a wedding when you and your fiancé are in different countries, especially when the bride has never been to the area of your wedding venues. I relied a lot on our wedding director and florist, Carolyn Tolley. Brad was a huge help as well. We wanted our wedding to be something inexpensive, simple, yet fun for everyone.” Much of the decor was done by the bride, with graphic assistance from bridesmaid Carolunn of Two Brunettes.

Vendors:

Caterer:  VMI Catering

Floral Designer:  University Florist
Invitation Designer:  red red
Dress Designer:  Galina Signature
Cake Designer:  Ann Switzer Cakes
DJ:  DJ Esso
Event Venue:  Lee Chapel

Thanks for such a great submission Lauren D. Rogers Photography and Two Bright Lights

Congrats Julia and Bradley!

Check out more shots from this wedding in our upcoming Summer Issue

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Shafonne Myers is a certified wedding and event planner who longed for bridal inspiration that looked like her. She has created a website and magazine that brings bridal inspiration to plus size brides. She does speaking engagements educating the world about plus size brides and self confidence.
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