My favorite blog post every single year!!!! The 9th annual Ashley Edmunds Photography 2024 Superlatives! I have a disclaimer this year, ha!! I did almost double the amount of weddings I’ve done in the past so coming up with different superlatives was HARD. I honestly could apply all of these to each of your weddings so don’t take anything personally. I wanted to focus on one or two aspects of each wedding day.

Each of your days was so so unique, beautiful, and honestly fun!! This was my first full year in business that I wasn’t working another job, pregnant, or having a child. It felt so refreshing to spend my year with such incredible people. A lot of times when I tell people my job, they say comments like “oh wow, that’s so stressful,” or “I’m sure you work with a lot of demanding people” and I just kind of laugh because it’s the complete opposite. You all have welcomed me into your life and made me feel like your own family and friends. I love following each of you on social media and cheering you on in your marriage and life. I get so jealous watching all your photos from your honeymoons!

I am yalls biggest cheerleader and always down to talk about/relive your wedding day with you! I think often about how fast my wedding day went by and how little I remember. I have such strong positive memories from each of your days. I love hearing your guests talk about how amazing of an event you planned, seeing everyone cry as your walk down the aisle, and editing allllll the drunk guests dancing at the end of the night. I truly love each of you. I hope you all had a great first Christmas as husband and wife. Here’s links to the past 8 years: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016!

Without further ado, 2024 Ashley Edmunds Photography superlatives (in order of wedding date):

Lindsay & Ballard– Most Relaxed & Trusting

A lot of wedding days are very fast paced and busy (which I love), but it was a breath of fresh air being with Lindsay and Ballard. They were both so calm and excited for the day to come without a care in the world. They got married in January so they had an idea it would be cold but it was SOO cold and they were so trusting of my timeline. I even got them to walk out onto the frozen rocks shivering for beautiful sunset photos. I loved meeting your family and friends and people that have been in your life for years and years. These two attended their cocktail hour and partied all night. I loved Lindsay’s outfit change mid reception. Thank you both for being so calm and focused on the most important thing- marrying each other!

Kirsten & Martin– Best Support System

When I arrived at the airbnb Kirsten and Martin were getting ready at I knew it was going to be an amazing day!! The house had so much character, Kirsten was getting her hair done by one of my favorite artists, everyone seemed so calm and excited!! You two win best support system for so many reasons! It started early that morning when Martin walked in while the girls were getting ready to check on Kirsten. Most couples don’t see each other before the first look/walking down the aisle but I found this so kind and endearing. I can tell that the two of you support each other in everything you do! Kirsten owns her own business and Martin has been known to make an appearance helping her get the space ready and even in a few reels. Kirsten and Martin both also had super supportive family and friends. Kirsten’s mom had a huge hand in planning the wedding which was very helpful. I will never forget the love you two share, it was an honor to photograph it!

Cassie & Don– Best Family

I was able to photograph Cassie and Don’s rehearsal dinner and wedding day which really helped me get to know their family! They had an intimate wedding at Boar’s Head Inn and it was such a beautiful celebration. All four of their kids were in attendance and were so so sweet and kind. Cassie did a first look with her son and I had tears in my eyes the entire time. Their kids gave speeches and they were a true testament to their parents love. Cassie and Don had family come in the celebrate them from all over. It was truly the best celebration!

Nikki & Ben– Best Ceremony

When Nikki and Ben told me they were getting married in their front yard I was super excited but when I pulled in their driveway my jaw dropped! These two have a beautiful home and yard in Montpelier, Va and I’ve told Nikki so many times they need to make it a wedding venue, it was incredible! They had family friends put together their florals and they were just as beautiful. I’m so glad we had good weather that day too! One of Nikki’s best friends married them which made the ceremony even more personable and emotional. After the ceremony, we took photos all around their yard while guests enjoyed mingling. Then we were all off to Bartizan in short pump for drinks, speeches, and food! Thank you both for inviting me to your home, I hope I get to photograph another wedding there one day!

Delani & David– Most Welcoming

David & Delani- Where do I even start?! Delani and I go way back, our families knew each other in high school so I was very excited when she inquired. Meeting David honestly just made sense- they are two of the kindest people you can ever meet. Multiple times on their wedding day, they both would ask me how I was, or if I needed anything, or if I ate dinner, etc. I was floored!! The longer the day went on though, the more I realized they aren’t just like this to me, they are so so kind to everyone!! Instead of eating dinner, they decided to take a photo with each table and talk to every single one of their guests if that also tells you anything about them! They had a beautiful overcast day which made for incredible portraits. I’ve loved running into Delani at coffee shops, the farmers market, etc throughout this year. Love you guys!

Brittany & Tucker– Most Sentimental

This wedding was FUN! Brittany and Tucker have known each other since they were kids!!! They met at summer camp (and even had the frisbee at their wedding that they exchanged phone numbers on). I love photographing weddings of couples that just met too but there’s something special when the couple grew up together, their families all know each other, they have the same friend group, etc. The length and depth of yalls relationship made for some really sentimental moments that I was so honored to witness. I loved how you two shared private vows on the porch of Hollyfield literally moments before walking down the aisle. I also really enjoyed hearing your family and friends give speeches, they were so meaningful. We might have hot a blistering hot day but it was worth it when the sunset came out. I’ve never gotten more instagram messages than I have about Brittany’s color choices, everything was so so beautiful. These two also managed to plan their wedding in med school and Tucker’s first couple years teaching. So thankful for yall!

Lauren & Corey– Best Vows

What an amazing couple!!! I got coffee with Lauren & Corey before they booked me and it literally felt like hanging out with two of my best friends. We had so much in common, especially our love for our white lab babies! I was so happy we were able to include them in your engagement and wedding photos. These two win best vows for so many reasons. It was pouring down rain when it was time to do their first look but luckily we were at Alturia which has amazing rain cover. It felt so romantic being under the white pillars as you guys promised forever together. I always feel so honored to photograph such intimate moments. You guys were hard to pin down a superlative because I also could have given you most organized, best party, so many others! I had so much fun at yalls reception, it felt like the time went by so fast! I love how at Alturia people can hang out on the dance floor or outside on the patio. It makes the whole venue feel like a big party. Thank you both for such an incredible day!

Ellie & Joe– Best Reception

I was SO excited for everything about Ellie and Joe’s wedding! They had a beautiful church ceremony and then everyone headed to the Common House downtown. WOW- what an incredible space for a reception. Cocktail hour was so much fun. People got to hang out in the library, play pool, go upstairs on the rooftop where there was a swimming pool. It truly was a magical guest experience you two created. I always listen to people’s conversations at yalls weddings and your guests kept commenting how much fun they were having which means your planning was A+. I loved photographing you two on the rooftop and then heading down to the beautiful family style tables. Your reception looked like it was out of a magazine. After eating dinner we all headed out to the patio for dances and I’ll never forget the rain starting right in the middle of the dances and no one had a care in the world. It was a beautiful moment. Thank you both for allowing me to be a part of such a fun night.

Blaire & Dom– Most Stylish/Best Cocktail Hour

Between my second shooter and I, we have NEVER taken as many photos as we did at Blaire and Dom’s wedding. It was a beautiful Fall day and every corner you turned had an incredible, stylish, well thought out detail. Blaire and Dom were both iconic in their attire, floral choices, and decor. I felt like a kid at a candy shop at yalls cocktail hour, holy moly. I LOVED how everyone gathered on the patio for spritz, oysters, and hanging out. It felt like we were in a movie when speeches started and everyone gathered around you two. Blaire and Dom also shared a private dinner on the rooftop at sunset overlooking all of their guests. I can imagine how special that moment was. I’m so happy you two decided to get married in Richmond and brought a taste of New York down this way. Side note- I’ll also NEVER forget your epic party and Blaire singing Pink Pony Club on stage in front of everyone. I would relive yalls wedding over and over if I could, truly. Thank you!

Natalie & Joe– Best Dances

What a day!!!! Natalie and Joe’s wedding reminded me a lot of my own which is so special to me. I loved your floral choices and how you included your nieces and nephews in so many parts of your wedding. I adored meeting your families, everyone was so so sweet. We got lucky with another Hollyfield sunset too! You two absolutely killed the dances! From a photographer’s prospective, if you want a crowded dance floor all night, the key is for the bride and groom to be dancing!! You two held up the party for so long because you were having a blast together! I loved watching your special dances but my favorite might have been your last dance when all the guests cleared the space. During this moment, it’s just me, the couple, and the DJ and a super slow song usually starts playing. Not with these two! They opted for an upbeat dance to end the night and it was INCREDIBLE. I love how much fun you two have together and it was an honor to have a peak into your relationship.

Lauren & Mike– Most Joy

This was probably my most anticipated wedding of 2024 because I got to see Lauren lots throughout the year leading up to her wedding. Lauren works at a mommy and me social club that Annie and I would attend sporadically throughout the year. Annie and I both fell in love with Ms. Lauren so it was extra special finally meeting Mike too! Lauren and Mike are both so sweet and have so many wonderful people in their life. It was so refreshing because you two truly were focused on the important things- getting married and having the best time with your guests! Your speeches and dances were so heartfelt and your guests kept the dance party going all night!! Thanks for running across the streets with me in downtown Richmond! Side note- I was SOO jealous of your European honeymoon photos recently, I hope you both had a blast!

Angela & Jarrod– Best Planned

Angela needs to be a wedding planner!!! She managed to plan the most perfectly executed day not even living in the same state as her venue, very impressive! Since we were planned down to the minute, we were able to fit SO much into 8 hours. I had a blast including Tucker in so many photos, unburying the bourbon, and catching your cheerleading stunt on the dance floor. You two also could win best dances by far. I’ve only ever had one other wedding play home videos during the parent dances. I was sobbing while photographing that, not going to lie. I hope my daughter wants to do that one day! Thank you both for being so organized. I loved every minute of your wedding, the time went by so fast for me and probably you as well because of how much fun it was. Thanks again!

M.E. & Colin– Best Speeches

M.E. and Colin was a super special wedding for me. I actually babysat M.E. which she was 4 years old. I saw her mom posted on facebook when she got engaged and I think I squealed with excitement when I got their inquiry email. For M.E.’s dads speech he spoke in song lyrics, it was so amazing. He obviously put a lot of time into planning and it was super emotional. I loved hearing Colin’s best man recount their relationship too and get to know him better. Your wedding will always be a Fall favorite of mine. The weather was beautiful, the leaves were the perfect color, everyone had a blast. I loved how cocktail hour was out by the lake and we got to take photos with the swan! You two are perfect for each other and surrounded by some of the best people!

Thanh & Tim– Best Friends/ Most Unique

I absolutely loved hanging out with Tim and Thanh and meeting everyone in their life. Their bridal party was so so sweet and really went above and beyond to help them. They helped them plan, with decor, I even saw them help cleaning up and packing things at the night went on. One of them grabbed me and asked me to go upstairs to the hotel suite they all stayed in because they had a gift go give Thanh. They made her the most incredible book full of photos and letters from everyone important in her life. Everyone, including myself, was crying as she flipped through the pages. Thank you both for braving the cold with me and taking photos down by the water. Congrats again!

Katie & Andrew– Best Party

This one is so fresh in my mind, I’m smiling as I’m typing this, ha! I had a feeling these two knew how to party because Andrew works in the restaurant IT industry and they both have SOO many friends. They warned me their friends could get down and boy were they right. I love how you guys opted for a band. Your dance floor was packed all night long!!! I honestly didn’t want the party to end- I need to ask if you guys ended up going out after. They even had expresso martinis passed around half way through their reception. Your party was also a result of the incredible planning that went into your day. It’s not easy planning essentially a 4 location wedding but you two pulled it off with ease. We even had time to party in the Jefferson suite together before the reception. Thanks for such a fun day and night!

Thank you all for truly an unforgettable year. Can’t wait to see all 2025 brings starting in just one week!