Happy New Year!!!!! Back at it with my FAVORITE post of the year- 2025 Ashley Edmunds Photography Superlatives. I absolutely love scrolling through all of your wedding galleries picking my favorite photos and reminiscing on your day. Believe it or not- I remember every single detail of yall’s weddings more than my own! After experiencing your day through my lens and then editing for hours and hours, I truly remember it all, it’s my favorite.

I do have a confession to make this year. This was by far the hardest year to pick a superlative for each of you. It really is just a silly thing- hopefully no one takes it to heart to much but I had my busiest year and all of your weddings had so many amazing elements. It felt like drawing straws at one point, ha! I also had a crazy year personally and didn’t get to blog every wedding. When I have time to back track, I will get caught up but in the height of IVF and my first trimester blogging was nonexistent!

I can honestly say this was the best year of weddings. A common theme was each of you was so so excited to be married and your joy shined through the photos and all of the details you picked out. Thank you all for allowing me to be such a big part of your day. 2025 will always be a stand out year and I hope you are enjoying your first holiday seasons as a married couple. In order of date…I introduce to you, 2025 superlatives!

Grace & Lewey– Best Party

What a way to kick off my wedding season this year!!! I’ve called Grace the snow queen multiple times- I’m so thankful for her and Lewey’s adventurist nature and that they were open to portraits in the snow. It was the most beautiful backdrop. Grace warned me that her friends liked to party and I remember telling her that she’d probably have full attendance with a January wedding (there’s not a ton going on in January and people are itching to get out). It was SO FUN! The dance floor was literally packed all night. Even in the snow, some clothing articles were lost, LOL. I found myself singing and dancing right along with them most of the night. I do need to invest in some ear plugs because I leave wedding nights and literally can’t sleep for hours because of the party vibes, ha! Grace was also the best AE bride and even brought up my superlative post at her wedding, she knew the reception killed it. This was a no brainer Grace and Lewey and I hope you two partied it up the rest of the year!

Kara & Adam– Best Ceremony

Ahh, this wedding gives me all the feels. Kara and Adam were some of the sweetest people to work with. They met me at my favorite coffee shop to get to know each other and I just knew their wedding was going to have the sweetest elements throughout the day. I really appreciated both of your trusting natures. They knew the wedding they wanted but also knew they hired professionals and were so open to suggestions from Jessica and I. Their ceremony was so special. I loved how their dog Penny was incorporated walking down the aisle in her tutu while Penny Lane played. I actually think I shed a few tears watching you come down the aisle Kara. Everything was so meaningful and thought out. It was also BEAUTIFUL. Your vision came to life so seamlessly. The colors and your dress and decor was top notch. If I could book couples like you over and over I would be so happy. Thank you both for trusting me!

Taylor & Adam– Best Family

Taylor and Adam!!! Gosh so much to say about this wedding too. You two so beautifully incorporated your wonderful family into the day. From Adam’s mom tearing up watching him get ready to Taylor’s first looks with both of her dads. NOTHING will beat Taylor’s first look with her little brother. I had a first look with my brother on my wedding day and he was like “hey, sup.” HA! Taylor’s brother was full of tears and well wishes, it was so special to be apart of that moment. The bridal party was made up of family and everyone got along so well. Speaking of family- these two are about to have their own!!! Baby boy is due so soon and I seriously can’t wait for you two to become parents, you will be the best mom and dad. I felt so bonded to you both after we met up at Alturia for your first set of engagement photos in a torrential downpour. Thank you guys for being so flexible and truly being the sweetest family I’ve worked with!

Jenna & Robert– Best Cocktail Hour

Jenna and Robert!!! The amount of people that have referenced your wedding when they book me or say they want a wedding like yours is getting into the double digits, truly impressive! When I think about your wedding, I think about how much fun it was!!! When we met, you guys expressed how you definitely wanted to go to cocktail hour and when we built your schedule, I’m SO glad we made that happen. It was AMAZING. Commonwealth Club has an amazing patio right in the middle of the city and the weather was so beautiful for these two. They had a full oyster bar, lamb lollipops, unlimited open bar- it was honestly the best cocktail hour I’ve seen. Once we unburied the bourbon, it was go time!! I’ve also had lots of comments on how beautiful your dress was Jenna, everyone loves the sleeves and the mix matched bridesmaid dresses too. Your wedding was equal parts sentimental and party vibes- let’s plan a one year anniversary party?!

Catie & Ben– Most Joy

Catie and Ben you all also win fastest, best planned wedding!!! These two got engaged and planned an incredible day within just a few months so some of their family and friends that live out of the country could be in attendance. All day long they had these enormous smiles and were so happy to celebrate with everyone. The weather was beautiful- a little windy but the Ranch was a perfect backdrop. There is something to be said about a couple that doesn’t seem to “care” about the nitty gritty details because in the end their main goal is to be married and celebrate with loved ones and I appreciated this so much about you two. Everything was stunning and your reception was so much fun dancing with everyone in the barn. I hope your first holiday as husband and wife has been perfect!

Jackie & Connor– Most Sentimental & My New Favorite Venue

Another incredible couple and wedding that I got to experience from the whole weekend prospective. We started the celebrations Friday night at Buckheads, yum!!! I’ve heard a lot of speeches in my 10 years of weddings but your friends killed it at Buckheads talking about your relationship with each other and how much you are meant to be together. Saturday was so sweet watching Jackie and all her girlfriends get ready together with a balcony overlooking the ceremony space. Your first look was so full of joy and sweet to witness but my absolute favorite time with you two was during sunset!! Most couples are so anxious to get back to the reception but I really appreciated how you two wanted to take time during sunset just you two to pull back and experience the moment together. Independence was AMAZING (I’ve since booked 3 more weddings here because of yalls photos) and let us take the golf cart around to experience it all. Just a side note- I had my best vendor dinner I’ve ever had at over 150 weddings here, they literally let my second shooter and I choose from a full restaurant menu, whatttt. Thank you two for being so in love and fun to be around.

Katie & Scott- Best Vows

Katie and Scott had their vow renewal on a hot summer day in August at the beautiful Oakdale. These two were an obvious choice for best vows because they’ve kept their vows for years now!!! They got married during covid and never had a chance to celebrate big with their people. 2025 was the perfect year to have the party of their dreams with their precious son in attendance. I loved how you truly made your day reflect your vibrant fun personalities and included all of your favorite things. The gelati truck was a huge bonus that everyone loved! So many fun speeches and even a surprise of being serenaded by your husband!! I am a big fan of color at weddings so I adored your dress and florals and all your decor. Thank you for trusting me to document your vow renewal!

Jennifer & Alon- Most Relaxed

Jennifer and Alon are the best!!!! I met these two at her sister’s wedding years ago so showing up felt so familiar and I was so excited to see her amazing family. Jennifer’s aunt is a photographer and photographed their intimate ceremony and they hired me for the party! Both of your relaxed nature made the day truly so fun. It wasn’t about all the details but instead about getting married and throwing a celebration for everyone to attend. The food was of course amazing, they have a chef in the family! Your dress was a vision Jennifer- you are stunning. I had so much fun dancing with everyone all night. I hope to celebrate with your family again one day, thanks for being so chill and truly FUN!

Dominique & Hunter– Best Style

I almost titled this superlative “amazon” bride but didn’t want to offend Dom, ha!! Dom- you pulled off the most luxurious, beautiful wedding and I am equally impressed how many components were from amazon! Your wedding is another one that is referenced over and over. The black tie style, long veil, you two are true models!! Burlington looked STUNNING decked out in white florals and sleek black bridesmaid dresses and tuxes. Thank you both for being so trusting and go with the flow. I am so thankful my family got to be such a big part of this day as well. You two had a booming dance floor all night, lots of tears from Dom’s dad during speeches and dancing. Everything came together so beautifully you two. We love you lots!!!!

Kaitlyn & Murphy- Best Speeches/First Looks

Kaitlyn and Murphy’s day started off with the sweetest parent first looks!! I was definitely crying behind the camera. I always find it so special to be a part of these intimate moments. Ohhh, I also loved Kaitlyn and Murphy’s cocktail hour choices- they had a seafood spread that was to die for!! The night continued and was SO MUCH FUN! The band was incredible, we took photos under the amazing lights outside. The parents gave some truly amazing speeches during the band’s break that were so sweet to hear. The other superlative that you guys win is best engagement session of the year!!! I love when people pick spots that have meaning towards them and I loved visiting your family farm with so much history. Thank you guys for inviting me!

Makaylah & Landen– Best Decor

I have pulled up to Hollyfield Manor many times and I can honestly say my jaw dropped driving down the long driveway this beautiful Fall day. Makaylah had a vision and boy did it come to life!!! The blue and white florals, bows, dance floor decal, INCREDIBLE wedding gown- it was southern style to the max. I had so much fun being creative and photographing all of your details! I adored watching the day through your daughter’s eyes. She was loved on by every single family member and guest and had the time of her life on the dance floor. I adore following your sweet family on instagram and seeing Layken experience all the Christmas magic this year! Thank you both for having me be a part of such a magical day!

Valerie & Blaine– Most Welcoming

Valerie and Blaine are some of the sweetest souls you will ever meet. It always stops me in my tracks when I walk into a wedding day and the groom or bride immediately ask what I need, how they can help me, etc. I’m there to serve you!!! I met these two for the first time at Curbside Cafe and it came full circle when they gifted me a gift card there at the end of their wedding night, truly so so thoughtful. Of course, I was so excited when I heard they had streamers to throw at their ceremony similar to JMU football games. I left working with these two feeling like I met two friends instead of clients. Thank you for including me in your Christmas card and fun letters you send. I can’t wait to keep in touch and see all you do in marriage!!

Cabell & Peter– Best Night Before and Food

Cabell and Peter’s wedding weekend was INCREDIBLE! I could go on and on about so many elements of yalls day! Your rehearsal dinner and welcome party could have been a wedding day itself it was so amazing. They had an intimate dinner with 10 speeches and then took a trolley over to Can Can with a food spread like you’ve never seen and all of their family and friends. The night was French themed with food and decor fitting in theme perfectly!!! I left Friday night with so much anticipation for Saturday. Your wedding day was so relaxed and amazing. Cabell got ready with her best friend and sisters at her parents home just a street away for her venue. Their sweet dog got to come down the aisle and then we partied under disco balls literally all night at Virginia Commonwealth Club. Your spread of food was some of the most unique I’ve seen. The poke bar and ice cream sandwiches were so good! Then guests were given expresso martinis and chicken and waffles on the dance floor. The entire weekend was one of my favorites, seriously!

Lauren & Landon- Best Planned

What a way to end the year!!!! The most classy Christmas themed wedding!!! Lauren- you need to get into wedding planning ASAP. You have an eye for things and are so organized and prepared! Their day consisted of so many different locations (getting ready, bourbon, ceremony, and reception all in a different spot) and everything came together so beautifully!!! We were ahead of schedule the entire day due to Lauren and Landon’s planning. I loved the Christmas theme with wreaths, jingle bells, beautiful florals, gosh everything was so so stunning!! I loved the trolley element and hearing your DJ play the most fun Christmas music! It kicked off the season for me and I’m sure it did for yall too! I hope St. Lucia treated you both well, can’t wait to keep up with you two!

To see previous years: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024!

Thank you all for such an incredible year of weddings!!!