PHOTOGRAPHY

my journal

welcome
to my blog

Hi there, I’m Ashley Edmunds and I photograph weddings all over the world but my heart is in Virginia.
I grew up in Richmond, lived in the heart of Shenandoah for 7 years, and then found my way back to Richmond. Once you get to know me, you’ll see I’m a little Richmond obsessed. I can help you find the best restaurant, park, or brewery for any part of this wonderful city. I love photographing weddings here at home, in Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, DC, and beyond! When I’m not photographing weddings I’m most likely chasing River, my yellow lab trying to get a shoe out of his mouth, teaching my high school kiddos, or traveling with my amazing fiance Craig.

Colonial Christmas Williamsburg Inn Wedding | Rachel & Ryan

Weddings

January 2, 2023

Christmas Wedding at Williamsburg Inn

This Christmas Wedding at the Williamsburg Inn was so magical and the seasonal light added to the ambiance perfectly. Expand on this a little more.

I looked forward to this wedding for multiple reasons all of 2022 and it exceeded any expectations I had!! Rachel and Ryan got engaged last December and decided a Williamsburg wedding would be beautiful around Christmas time. Rachel grew up visiting colonial Williamsburg and it’s now a tradition that Ryan is a part of as well. In fact, I think there was a joke made about Ryan’s first trip to colonial Williamsburg in the maid of honor speech which was arguably one of the best speeches I’ve seen at a wedding. This was my first wedding back from maternity leave so I had a heightened excitement because I had to sit back and watch my vendor friends post weddings all Fall and it was finally my turn and because I knew Annie would be in good hands with Craig all day.

When you add sentimental pieces it really brings the wow factor.

The day started with Rachel getting ready at the Inn and Ryan getting ready in the Lodge across the street. The decor at the Inn is already amazing so Rachel’s florals, beautiful dress, and sentimental pieces just added even more to the wow factor.

Sometimes the weather is just perfect.

They got to get married outside which we weren’t sure would be an option when they started planning a year ago. They had the most incredible sunset, the Williamsburg Fife and Drum lead them into their reception, and a party that seriously could have lasted all night. I will share more about their day in the midst of the photos but a few things I’ll never forget about this wedding were Rachel’s relationship with her PopPop, Ryan’s reaction during their first look, their circle of friends dancing for the last song of the night, and …the late night sliders and fries, ha! Congrats again you two!!

When I arrive, the first thing I usually do is photograph the dress so it’s hidden when things start to pick up with guests or the groom. When I went to pick up Rachel’s dress, I couldn’t believe how stunning but also how heavy it was, so a huge shoutout to bridesmaid Allyson for helping me lift this bad boy up on the window outside of the Inn.

Rachel is super close with her older sister Sarah. I loved watching the two of you all day long, so much joy!

Such a sweet reaction during their private first look.

I’m so glad we got so many of these portraits done before the ceremony because after the ceremony the sun was already setting! Also, you can’t get married in Williamsburg without the colonial hats making it into a few photos.

Rachel and Ryan shared communion with their officiant before walking down the aisle.

You might remember me doing their ring bearer’s newborn photos earlier this year. He’s grown up so much already!

I could have taken photos with the Inn as the backdrop ALL NIGHT!! It’s such a stunning venue!

Printing your engagement photos as your guest book is such a great idea!

This wedding topper has been on all of the grandkids cakes for their weddings, so special!

I had to add in this next photo even though I don’t normally post reception table photos in the blog. Ryan grew up in the same neighborhood that I did and requested a neighborhood photo with everyone he grew up with. It was so fun for me to see so many familiar faces at this wedding!

This next photo is with the fantasy football guys. My husband lives and breathes fantasy football, I wish we would have gotten this photo at our own wedding!