“It all started with a hand-written note.”

These are the words of a groom smitten by the beautiful bride he credits with bringing these two families together. David is a middle school principal and Haf an English teacher (who now works at the school where I taught for eleven years – Go Eagles!).

The two first really connected during some of the most difficult days of both of their lives. They were working at the same school and Haf put a book in David’s inbox with a hand-written note full of gracious empathy and a suggested read that she thought might help David as she knew he was going through a difficult time. David says that even from that moment, from that note, he had a feeling about Haf…and since then the two became friends and partners in helping each other and their families come together in love, healing and joy. And began a romance, of course!

So it is no surprise that when I met with Haf, she expressed to me how important it was that the focus on their wedding day remain on their friends and family, not simply the two of them. She told me how instrumental each of their guests have been in encouraging them, supporting them and loving them. She said that they never would be where they are today without each person. So I couldn’t be happier when we even built into the timeline of their wedding day specific time for them to have each couple, family and group photographed! What a wonderful thing to do to preserve memories and honor those who mean so much.

Haf and David’s engagement session was also magical. Not only did we stir up gnats to make little glowing lights around them, but we spent time together at Mountain Run Lake where I gained an even better understanding of who these two are as a couple. They have a witty and silly sense of humor. They love their children fiercely. They love serving children in the public school system. They love the oudoors and as David reiterated in his reception speech, Haf is always creating new experiences and adventures for their family. In fact, my family saw them having fun together last Fall at the egg drop in Orange county and in the Summer at a family fun day and Haf has told me of new and fun things to do in the area (including the boats at Lake Pellham!).

Serving these two and their family and friends on their wedding day was nothing less than incredible. I also have to mention that Haf was so excited to have more photos of David! I have never seen a bride more interested in photos of her groom than of herself or the two of them together. I love her priorities! You can see why this marriage is going to be a great one…these two really have a love for each other and their families. Haf was a gracious bride and David was an adoring groom. And he even made sure all his guests knew that Haf was the magic behind their gorgeous DIY wedding.

And the icing on the cake for me was the alternative to favors for the guests. They instead donated to a charity in lieu of favors for each table. Each charity was in honor and/or memory of a loved one. Since about half of all favors never go home, I thought this was such a meaningful way to spend that money! And honestly the guests went home with so much more…a beautiful day at a beautiful venue and memories for a lifetime. And not only did Haf go home with her new husband and an even larger family, but as David said in his reception speech, at home he had something special awaiting her…a hand-written note.

Aren’t you just dying to know what’s in that note????

Me too!

Congratulations Haf and David on your spectacular Rixey Manor Wedding!

Venue: Rixey Manor

DJ: I’m the DJ (Nate Clancey)

Catering: Shawn’s Smokehouse BBQ

Wedding Gown: Dolly Blue Bridal, UK

Shoes: Dessy

Wedding Bands (bride): Heltzburg Diamonds

Wedding band (groom): Dodingon’s Jewellers, UKGroomswear: JC Penney and Kohls

Bridesmaid Dress: Dessy

Hair and Make Up: Main Street Hair Studio

Officiant: Pastor Chris Ryman

Cake: Margaret Schwindt

Cupcakes and Cookies: Knakals

Florals and Vase: Kylie Henson

Mums and Ferns: Shenandoah Gardens

Second Shooting: The amazing Naomi Cataldo of Urban Row Photography

Michelle Lieb with Lieb Photographic is a Charlottesville Wedding Photographer, Culpeper Wedding Photographer, Fredericksburg Wedding Photographer, Alexandria Wedding Photographer, Washington DC Wedding Photographer, Williamsburg Wedding Photographer, High Country Wedding Photographer and a wedding photographer in the surrounding areas.