Scott & Shannon: Richmond Wedding

Love

Tuckahoe Women’s Club, Richmond Virginia

“Oh, hi, good to see you, how are you?! Thank you so very much for being here for us today!”

When those are the first words out of the groom’s mouth as you walk up to him on his wedding day, you know you’ve scored big. Scott & Shannon’s celebration last Saturday was smooth and swanky, fun and fancy… from the perfect weather (providentially sandwiched between two days of rain storms), to two stunning wedding gowns, to the bride & groom’s sweet, sweet dog Libbie who stole the hearts of all… My lanta, friends, I couldn’t have dreamt of a better wedding day to kick off my 2023 season!!

A Classy Celebration in Richmond, Virginia

This classy celebration took place in Richmond, Virginia, at the Tuckahoe Women’s Club and let me tell you… Scott & Shannon have good taste, good people, and know how to have a good time!

Strapless wedding gown hanging from an antique china cabinet at Tuckahoe Women's Club in Richmond
Close view of the sweetheart-neckline gown and veil hung on a white hanger before the ceremony
Bouquet of white roses and greenery resting on a sunlit windowsill
Gold engagement ring and wedding band nestled in a taupe velvet ring box
Flat lay of the blue wedding invitation with bridal shoes, pearls, perfume, and flowers
Wedding rings in a velvet box atop a dusty blue envelope beside the bouquet
Invitation suite for the Tuckahoe Women's Club ceremony styled with white roses and pearls
Oval diamond ring and gold band displayed in their box on a blue envelope
Groom in a black tuxedo checking his watch while getting ready indoors
Groom adjusting his bow tie beneath a brass chandelier before the ceremony
Bride in her strapless ball gown standing in an elegant room at Tuckahoe Women's Club
Bridesmaid fastening a pearl bracelet on the smiling bride's wrist
Bridesmaids in dusty blue gowns helping the bride into her platform heels
Bridesmaid arranging the bride's long veil as she smiles over her shoulder
Bride laughing with her four bridesmaids in light blue dresses before the ceremony
Black and white frame of the bride buckling her strappy heels beside an antique bench

First Look! All the joy.

Groom waiting on a tree-lined sidewalk moments before the first look
Bride walking up behind the smiling groom on a brick path for their first look
Groom turning to see his bride for the first time under leafy trees
Bride and groom holding hands and beaming during their outdoor first look
Couple sharing a quiet moment together on the sunny sidewalk after the first look
Groom holding the bride's hands as they laugh together on a brick walkway
Bride and groom embracing beneath green trees, her cathedral veil draping behind
Couple kissing on a tree-lined path, the bride's train sweeping the brick pavers
Groom wiping away a happy tear while holding his bride's hand
Groom kissing the bride's hand on a sunlit residential street
Bride with white bouquet and tuxedoed groom posing together on a brick sidewalk
Groom pressing a kiss to the bride's forehead in a close embrace

Enter… dog of honor… Libbie! They adore their girl and she adores them!

Couple touching noses while the groom cradles their long-haired dachshund, Libbie
Dachshund in a blue bow licking the delighted bride's cheek
Groom holding the couple's dachshund while the bride gently strokes her face
Bride kissing their dachshund's cheek as the groom holds the pup and smiles
Bride and groom smile with their long-haired dachshund and a white bouquet under sunlit trees
Bride in a strapless gown holds her white bouquet on a sunlit brick walkway in Richmond
Smiling bride with a soft veil cradles her white rose bouquet framed by spring greenery
Full-length portrait of the bride, her gown train sweeping across a tree-lined brick path

Bridal Party fun… this crew was delightful & dedicated when it came to assuming their roles!

Wedding party in black tuxedos and dusty blue gowns lined up outside Tuckahoe Women's Club
Bride and groom share a glance surrounded by their wedding party at the brick entrance

Let’s not be fooled… the real main attraction stood by and let the other’s have their time to shine, but she knew where the real focus belonged. 😉

Long-haired dachshund wearing a bow stands on brick pavers with the wedding party behind her
The couple's dachshund poses front and center while the wedding party mingles in the background
Bride and groom kiss as bridesmaids in dusty blue cheer with bouquets raised
Full wedding party portrait with the couple's dachshund beneath the brick arches at Tuckahoe Women's Club
Wedding party leans in laughing as the newlyweds kiss at the venue entrance
Groom cradles the dachshund beside the bride among tuxedoed groomsmen and bridesmaids in blue
Wedding party cheers around the newlyweds outside the doors of Tuckahoe Women's Club
Bride laughs with four bridesmaids in dusty blue gowns on the venue's brick courtyard
Bride and bridesmaids hold white bouquets in front of the brick clubhouse and garden
Groom and five groomsmen in black tuxedos stand on a tree-lined brick sidewalk
Groom and groomsmen wearing sunglasses pose together on a brick walkway in Richmond

More Shannon & Scott beauty… Enjoying the park across the way from the Tuckahoe Women’s Club!

Black and white portrait of the couple kissing in the open park lawn, gown train trailing
Couple holds hands beneath a spreading tree in the park across from Tuckahoe Women's Club
Bride grips the groom's arm as they laugh together in a grassy Richmond park
Newlyweds stroll hand in hand across a wide green lawn with trees beyond
Bride and groom walk toward the camera holding hands, smiling at each other
Couple crosses the sunlit park lawn hand in hand near Tuckahoe Women's Club
Groom cups the bride's face for a tender kiss in the open field

The Buried Bourbon Tradition and the Ceremony

Digging up buried bourbon with hearts thankful for no rain! (This is a Southern wedding tradition where you burry a bottle of bourbon upside-down at the venue one month before your wedding date, and it is said it will keep rain away. It is also allows for a fun round of shots before the ceremony! ;))

Groom digs in the garden bed for the buried bourbon while the bride looks on
Shovel unearths the buried bourbon bottle, a Southern tradition said to keep rain away
Groom lifts the dirt-covered bourbon bottle from the garden bed in his hands
Groom holds the unearthed bottle of Eagle Rare bourbon beside the bride
Bride laughs looking down at the freshly dug-up bourbon in the groom's hand
Smiling couple poses with their bottle of bourbon in the garden before the ceremony
Bride and groom raise a bourbon toast with bridesmaids beneath a garden pergola
Groomsmen in sunglasses sip celebratory drinks in the garden before the ceremony
Groomsmen in tuxedos and sunglasses sip bourbon in the garden before the ceremony
Bride and groom share pre-ceremony drinks with bridesmaids in dusty blue holding white bouquets
Bride laughs between the groom and a bridesmaid as the group toasts with unearthed bourbon

Ceremony time!

Grandmother in a wheelchair is escorted down the grassy aisle past seated guests beneath a towering tree
Young ring bearer in a tuxedo walks the couple's dachshund Libbie down the grass aisle
Flower girl in white with a blue sash carries her petal basket down the aisle
Flower girl drops white petals along the grass aisle as smiling guests look on
Bride walks down the outdoor aisle on her escort's arm beneath a towering tree
Seen from behind, the bride approaches the vine-covered pergola arm in arm with her escort
Groom smiles watching the processional, hands clasped, with a groomsman at his side
Groom waits beside the wooden arbor with his groomsmen during the garden ceremony
Guests watch as the bride reaches the greenery-covered pergola where the groom and wedding party wait
Bride carrying a white bouquet walks the aisle arm in arm with her escort past standing guests
Guest kisses the couple's dachshund on the head with bridesmaids in blue in the background
Bride and groom hold hands exchanging vows before the officiant under the garden pergola
Groom speaks his vows while holding the bride's hand during the ring exchange
Bride and groom share their first kiss beneath the pergola at Tuckahoe Women's Club
Bride beams up at the groom moments after their first kiss

MR & MRS SHAY!!

Groom dips the bride for a kiss in the aisle as the wedding party applauds
Newlyweds walk back up the grass aisle hand in hand while guests clap

The Reception at Tuckahoe Women’s Club

Reception time!! Colleen and her team at CCS Events did a phenomenal job with Tuckahoe Women’s Club… they made it so inviting and classy! Florals by VC’s Flowers and cake by Westhampton Pastry Shop… such a stellar team to bring Shannon & Scott’s welcoming, simple, elegant style to life!

Long white reception table set with gold flatware, menu cards, and white roses in a gold vase
Watercolor menu card tucked into a napkin beside gold flatware, candles glowing behind
Overhead view of round reception tables dressed in white and gold at Tuckahoe Women's Club
Gold table number three surrounded by greenery, white roses, and glowing pillar candles
Table number eleven in gold beside a white floral compote and mercury-glass votives
Candlelit centerpiece of trailing greenery and cream roses circling a gold table number
Gold script cake topper reading The Shays atop a white buttercream cake with greenery
Three-tiered white wedding cake from Westhampton Pastry Shop on an ornate gold stand
Round reception table with candle and greenery centerpiece in the sunlit ballroom
String lights stretch across the Tuckahoe Women's Club ballroom set for the reception

The classy couple… I just love them!!!

Bride and groom enter the reception hand in hand through white double doors
Groom waves to cheering guests as the newlyweds make their grand reception entrance
Groom sings along to the live band while dancing with the bride at their Richmond reception
Bride in a strapless ballgown laughs with the groom as the band plays behind them
Couple laughing together on the dance floor during their first dance at Tuckahoe Women's Club
Groom twirls the bride, her white gown swirling across the ballroom's wood floor
Groom dips the bride low during their first dance in the ballroom
Bride and groom share a kiss on the dance floor while a guitarist plays onstage

A Second Gown and Dancing All Night

DRESS CHANGE! Oh goodness was this second dress the perfect evening gown!! We slipped outside for a few more portraits and I loved seeing Shannon glow in a different way, wearing this second dress.

Groom hugs the bride from behind on the lawn, both beaming during outdoor portraits
Bride in a backless slip gown faces the groom on the lawn near a brick garden gate
Close view of the bride's low chignon as the smiling groom holds her close outdoors
Black and white portrait of the groom leading the bride by the hand across the lawn
Bride rests her head on the groom's chest in a tender black and white portrait
Black and white shot of the groom embracing the bride from behind beside the garden wall

Bride and groom hold hands on the grass, smiling at each other in evening light
Groom kisses the top of the bride's head while hugging her in the garden
Couple smiles for the camera as the groom embraces the bride near brick garden pillars
Groom kisses the bride's temple as she smiles, his arms draped over her shoulders
Bride smiles softly as the groom hugs her from behind near the garden gate
Groom grins down at the laughing bride while holding her close outdoors
Bride and groom stand arm in arm on the lawn, smiling at the camera
Groom kisses the bride's forehead as she smiles, a white bloom tucked in her hair

Back inside for dancing!!!

Wedding guest in a striped shirt dances playfully while a woman in a marigold dress laughs
Bride with a glass of wine laughs with the groom amid guests on the dance floor
Bride and groom laugh together while dancing beneath string lights at the reception
Groom raises an arm mid-dance as the bride laughs with him near the stage
Groom playfully points at the bride as she laughs over a glass of white wine
Groom kisses the bride's hand on the crowded dance floor during the reception
Guests dance and laugh together in the ballroom during the Richmond wedding reception
View from above of the Tuckahoe Women's Club ballroom, band onstage and guests filling the floor

I went to college with Shannon’s sister, Beth (and it was Beth who introduced me to Shannon!!). I take Beth’s family photos every year, and getting to watch her and her littles (the ring bearer and flower girl!) soak up this family event was so fun!!!

Bride dances hand in hand with a guest wearing a dusty blue gown
Bride reaches out to a laughing guest in a slate blue dress while dancing
Bride twirls with a guest in a blue gown beneath cafe lights on the dance floor

Another Level (part of Sam Hill Entertainment) were the life of the party all night. They are a phenomenal group of musicians who know how to keep people on the dance floor!!!

Live band performs on the fern-lined stage as reception guests look on
Band vocalist in a red paisley vest sings beside a guitarist during the Richmond wedding reception
Lead singer performs with guitarist and backup vocalist on stage under moody green lighting
Female vocalist with long curls sings into a microphone while the bassist plays behind her

They even brought Shannon & Scott up on stage… SO FUN!

Bride and groom join the live band on stage, laughing with tambourines in hand
Groom lifts the bride clear off her feet on stage while she waves a tambourine
Groom dips the bride dramatically on stage as the band plays behind them
Seen from behind, the groom carries the bride as she raises a glow stick triumphantly
Bride raises a tambourine overhead while dancing on stage with the smiling groom
Bride and groom share a kiss on stage, tambourine in hand, band playing on

Some couples avoid the dance floor like it is the black plague… some sway their way over and enjoy a song or two… others are couples are like Scott & Shannon who SHINE with each song!

Newlyweds kiss on the crowded dance floor while guests cheer with drinks raised
Bride and groom laugh together mid-dance surrounded by guests at the Tuckahoe Women's Club reception
Groom playfully mimes wiping away tears while dancing with the bride on the wooden dance floor
Groom kisses the bride's forehead during a slow dance as guests mingle nearby
Black and white candid of the couple kissing on the dance floor, groom holding a bottle

Aside from watching Shannon & Scott shine on the stage with Another Level, my favorite part of their reception was when I looked over and watched Shannon’s Dad doing the limbo… and then he slipped and we all lurched in fear to help him… only to see him turning his fall into breakdancing on the floor. We couldn’t stop laughing!

Older guest in red suspenders and bow tie leans back under glow stick limbo bars held by laughing guests
Guests cheer as the gentleman in suspenders limbos beneath a glowing foam stick
The limbo ends with the guest easing down to the floor amid delighted onlookers
Guest in red suspenders grins from the dance floor as friends celebrate around him
Older guest crab-walks across the dance floor while wedding guests cheer him on

Aaaand… that’s a wrap! Such a joy capturing your day, Scott & Shannon!!! It was smooth, fun, easy, and a delight. Thanks for giving me the honor of being your wedding photographer!

Black and white view of the newlyweds walking through a bubble exit past cheering guests
Couple embraces amid floating bubbles outside the brick entrance as guests line the walkway
Bride and groom kiss during their nighttime bubble send-off at the Tuckahoe Women's Club

Venue: Tuckahoe Women’s Club

Wedding Planner: CCS Events

Catering: Polpetti Italian

Cake: Westhampton Bakery
Florals: VC’s Flowers

Band: Sam Hill Entertainment
Photo Booth: Silly Shotz Photo Booth
Videography: Bright Color Weddings

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  1. Main Street Station: Celebrating Seven Years! | debbieekophotography.com says:
    July 25, 2023 at 11:21 am

    […] innumerable locations for photo magic! Others may be burnt out and bored in our city, but not me!!! Scott & Shannon, Elsa & Caleb, and others (more to be posted here soon!) are just the tip of getting to […]

    Reply
  2. Main Street Station: Celebrating Seven Years! | debbieekophotography.com says:
    July 25, 2023 at 11:24 am

    […] to be in new to a place that keeps leaving you in awe of its innumerable locations for photo magic! Scott & Shannon, Elsa & Caleb, and others (more to be posted here soon!) are just the tip of getting to […]

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