Genevieve + Kyle

A Southern Black-Tie Wedding

Hermitage Museum and Gardens | Norfolk, Virginia

Coastal Tidewater Wedding Photographer for Refined East Coast Celebrations

Set against the historic charm of Norfolk, Virginia, the Hermitage Museum and Gardens played host to one of the most breathtaking black-tie weddings we’ve ever photographed. A celebration of love, legacy, and elevated Southern tradition, this day brought together everything our clients value most — intentional design, timeless portraits, and a flawless guest experience.

With a ceremony beneath the sweeping branches of a centuries-old oak, the setting was nothing short of iconic. The couple chose the museum’s waterfront gardens not only for their beauty, but for the way the space naturally lends itself to Southern hospitality and formal elegance.

The couple’s wedding party was large, but beautifully balanced — each detail carefully curated to complement the overall design. Cocktail hour unfolded under the shade of a grand magnolia, a scene straight from a storybook, while guests sipped champagne and mingled under golden light.

The reception sailcloth tent was lit with a twinkling canopy of lights and elt like a dream: open-air, intimate, and impossibly chic. Inside, a massive floral installation by Courtney Ingram Events created a sense of immersive beauty — a garden-like canopy that softened the tent’s structure and elevated the space in every direction.

Every detail, from the custom china to the knotted velvet napkins and Sonoma wooden chairs from Waterford Event Rentals, was chosen with purpose. The result was a reception that felt layered, warm, and editorial — yet always welcoming.

The couple’s portraits reflect their timeless style and the grounded elegance of the day. From first look to golden hour, every moment unfolded with intention — and capturing it felt like witnessing a Southern heirloom in the making.

As a Tidewater Virginia wedding photographer with a focus on high-touch East Coast celebrations, events like this one are where our approach shines best. We bring more than just an eye for detail — we bring a commitment to documenting each layer with care, clarity, and grace.

Planning a wedding at the Hermitage Museum and Gardens — or anywhere along Coastal Virginia? We’d be honored to document it with the kind of artistry your story deserves.

Stewart + Tyler

Refined Coastal Elegance

A Black-Tie Wedding at the Sanderling Resort’s Great Hall

Outer Banks Wedding Photographer for Elevated East Coast Celebrations

There’s a certain kind of wedding that feels effortless in its refinement — one that balances timeless tradition with organic warmth. That’s exactly what unfolded during this unforgettable black-tie wedding at the Sanderling Resort’s Great Hall on the Outer Banks.

With a guest list of 200 and an intentionally intimate wedding party, the celebration was both grand and grounded. Every element felt curated, but never overdone — from the bride’s sweeping off-the-shoulder ballgown to the groom’s sleek Gucci loafers, the tone of the day was formal, sophisticated, and deeply personal.

The ceremony took place under a glowing sunset at the Sanderling Resort’s Great Hall gazebo, one of the Outer Banks’ most picturesque coastal backdrops. As the evening light dipped below the horizon, guests gathered in anticipation of a celebration that honored tradition while embracing natural, thoughtful design.

Inside the reception space, the Great Hall was transformed with rich, earthy textures and warm lighting. Suspended brown kissing balls hung from the ceilings, echoing the organic atmosphere below. A massive greenery installationsoftened the vaulted space, complementing the X-backed brown chairs, wooden farm tables, and glowing candlelight that lined every table. Magnolia branches adorned the centerpieces — a subtle nod to the region’s Southern roots — creating a design that felt both rooted and refined.

This wasn’t just a wedding — it was a masterclass in how intentional design can elevate a formal event without overwhelming it. The couple prioritized guest experience and aesthetic harmony in every decision, resulting in a celebration that felt beautifully authentic and visually stunning.

As an Outer Banks wedding photographer who specializes in editorial storytelling for formal East Coast weddings, I’m drawn to events like this — where elegance and emotion go hand in hand. I don’t just capture the expected moments. I document the full arc of the day — from sweeping scenery to the subtle details that often go unnoticed but define the experience.

If you’re planning a black-tie wedding on the East Coast — whether at the Sanderling Resort or another elevated coastal venue — I’d love to help you preserve it with care, clarity, and timeless visual storytelling.

Emily + Jake

Saint Michaels Black Tie Elegance

Coastal Maryland Wedding at Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

Eastern Shore Wedding Photographer for Sophisticated Coastal Celebrations

For couples dreaming of an elegant, high-touch wedding along the Eastern Shore of Maryland, few backdrops feel as iconic — or as effortlessly timeless — as the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in Saint Michaels. This black-tie celebration brought together everything we love about coastal Maryland weddings: sweeping waterfront views, refined styling, and a celebration that was as joyful as it was beautifully designed.

Set along the Chesapeake Bay, the ceremony took place beneath open skies, where guests were greeted by panoramic views and a warm coastal breeze. The floral palette of blue and white blooms brought a fresh yet classic feel to the design — a perfect nod to the setting’s natural elegance.

The couple’s wedding party was large and full of energy, setting the tone for a celebration that was equal parts formal and fun. Guests were treated to a lively evening filled with music from a live band, thoughtful details, and a reception that reflected both the couple’s personality and the natural charm of the Maryland shore.

Inside the reception space, the styling was coastal yet elevated: layered textures, subtle nautical nods, and a color palette that blended seamlessly with the surroundings. Everything felt curated, but never contrived — a hallmark of the refined wedding aesthetic we’re known for on the East Coast.

As a photography team that specializes in sophisticated coastal weddings, our approach goes beyond simply documenting the day. We work closely with our couples and their creative teams to guide styling, optimize portrait timing, and create an intentional experience from start to finish — one that results in elegant imagery and a seamless, supported process.

Coastal Maryland weddings — especially along the Eastern Shore — are some of the most striking and meaningful we’ve had the honor of documenting. With its blend of historic charm, waterfront views, and thoughtful design, this region is a true gem for couples who value tradition, elegance, and a curated guest experience.

If you’re planning a black-tie celebration on the Chesapeake Bay or exploring refined wedding venues in Saint Michaels or along Maryland’s coast, we’d be honored to help bring your vision to life with timeless photography and a trusted, elevated experience.

Taylor + Paul

Garden-Inspired Spring Wedding

Nags Head Golf Links

Outer Banks Wedding Photographer for Elegant Yet Effortless Coastal Events

There’s something magical about spring on the Outer Banks — soft salt air, golden hour over the water, and just enough breeze to carry a scent of garden blooms. This wedding at Nags Head Golf Links perfectly captured that magic with a celebration that was equal parts elegant and relaxed, romantic and joyful.

Set on the water’s edge with sweeping views of the sound, the ceremony and reception embraced a garden party feel with thoughtful details and fresh spring colors. From the beginning, this couple wanted a wedding that was beautifully designed, intentionally styled, but still laid-back enough to reflect the coastal ease of the Outer Banks — and their vision came to life in every way.

The day began with a signature flat lay, artfully styled by Honeysuckle Events, who also provided the floral design. As always, their work was intentional and refined — a soft mix of spring-inspired color and detail that introduced the day’s aesthetic beautifully.

The bridesmaids wore a curated collection of blue and white dresses, each slightly unique but cohesive — echoing the day’s garden theme while maintaining a classic tone. The bride carried a bouquet in soft spring hues — blush, cream, dusty blue — accented by textured greens that mirrored the natural surroundings of the golf course.

The ceremony arch was a romantic display of accent blooms and lush greenery, positioned just so that the sunset over the sound framed the couple as they exchanged vows. With around 200 guests in attendance, the event still felt intimate — thanks to the layout, design, and clever placement of lounge spaces and cocktail hour seating.

Guests enjoyed signature cocktails during a lively cocktail hour, followed by a reception under a clear-top tent where the stars twinkled overhead. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, filled with the soft flicker of candlelight, organic florals, and an effortless rhythm that only happens when every element is thoughtfully planned.

As an Outer Banks wedding photographer who specializes in refined, editorial-style celebrations, it’s events like this that truly showcase the balance between coastal charm and intentional design. From flat lays to floral styling to seamless portrait timing, we guide our couples through a photography experience that feels easy, elevated, and entirely you.

Planning a garden-inspired wedding on the Outer Banks or along the East Coast? We’d love to help you bring it to life — and capture it with timeless imagery you’ll return to for decades.

Kate + Tyler

Windswept Elegance in Corolla, North Carolina

Tyler & Kate at Lighthouse 12

Outer Banks Wedding Photography That Thrives in Every Condition

The Outer Banks is known for its beauty — but she doesn’t always promise perfect weather.

When Tyler and Kate flew in from California to host their wedding at Lighthouse 12 in Corolla, they didn’t expect a full-blown nor’easter. Sustained 40mph winds, rising tides, and the kind of sideways rain that makes ceremony chairs sink. But here’s the thing: their wedding was still spectacular. Not because we avoided the weather — but because they embraced it.

Originally planned as a beach ceremony, we made the call — alongside their planner — to relocate to the top deck, avoiding ocean overwash without losing the sweeping coastal view. The deck, windswept and dramatic, actually suited Kate and Tyler’s aesthetic perfectly: easy, breezy, beautifully undone.

They were the kind of couple you hope walks into your inbox. Creative, trusting, and totally unconcerned with the things they couldn’t control. That’s when the magic really happens — and in this case, it did.

Their portraits told the story best. Hair tousled by wind, veil flying just enough, clouds moving fast overhead. Nothing staged. Nothing forced. Just the kind of energy that can’t be faked. Their California roots and laid-back elegance felt right at home on this rugged coastline — and the result was a gallery full of movement, atmosphere, and intimacy.

As the winds calmed, the evening gave way to what every couple hopes for — an unforgettable night. Cocktails flowed. Music carried. The dance floor stayed full. Surrounded by friends and family who rallied without hesitation, Kate and Tyler celebrated with full hearts and unshakable joy.

We photograph weddings in every imaginable weather condition — it comes with the territory on the Outer Banks. But days like this are a reminder of what we do best: showing up, staying calm, and capturing the fullness of your wedding day with elegance, direction, and just the right amount of spontaneity.

For couples planning a beach wedding on the East Coast — whether in the sunshine or in 40mph wind — we’ll be there. With intention. With experience. And with a camera that never misses a beat.

Shannon + Ian

Sophisticated Mid-Atlantic Elegance

Shannon & Ian’s Coastal Wedding on the Eastern Shore of Virginia

Tidewater & Eastern Shore Wedding Photographer for Elevated Coastal Celebrations

Shannon and Ian’s wedding was nothing short of spectacular — not because it was flashy, but because it was designed with such clarity, restraint, and unmistakable coastal sophistication. Set in the heart of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, their day reflected everything we love about this region: timeless beauty, understated elegance, and a deep appreciation for natural surroundings.

This was the kind of celebration that East Coast couples dream of when they envision a high-end wedding by the water — formal, but not stiff. Elevated, but never overdone. With full-service planning and design by Coastyle Wedding & Events, every element was seamless, refined, and reflective of the couple’s style.

Held beneath a clear-top tent dripping in white orchids, the reception was a masterclass in clean, coastal luxury. The tent offered an open view of the sky, bringing in the soft Virginia light by day and the stars by night — while the florals added a lush, almost cloudlike atmosphere that softened and elevated the space all at once.

From the beginning, Shannon and Ian knew they didn’t want to sacrifice sophistication in order to feel relaxed. Their vision was polished, personal, and deeply rooted in the landscape that surrounded them. The Tidewater region’s salt air, maritime energy, and timeless charm all played into the feel of the day — without overpowering it.

Guests were welcomed into an experience that felt effortlessly warm and beautifully intentional. Every moment flowed with care. Every detail mattered. And throughout it all, our team was focused on documenting the celebration with timeless energy, natural direction, and clean, editorial composition — the kind of photography that feels as relevant in 30 years as it does today.

As a team that specializes in coastal weddings across the Eastern Shore and Mid-Atlantic, this event is exactly the kind we’re built to capture — refined, emotional, beautifully styled weddings for couples who value the experience as much as the images.

If you’re planning a formal wedding anywhere along Virginia’s Tidewater coast, the Eastern Shore, or anywhere in the Mid-Atlantic coastal corridor, we’d be honored to document it with the same clarity and intention we brought to Shannon and Ian’s extraordinary celebration.

Leandra + Walter

Black-Tie Wedding at The Chesapeake in Carova

Untamed Coastline Meets East Coast Elegance

Outer Banks Wedding Photographer for Remote, Refined Coastal Celebrations

In the northernmost stretch of North Carolina’s Outer Banks — where paved roads disappear and the dunes take over — Carova sets the stage for some of the most unforgettable weddings on the East Coast. Isolated, windswept, and wildly beautiful, it’s here that Lauren and James hosted a black-tie celebration at The Chesapeake that felt both effortlessly elevated and entirely their own.

Surrounded by coastal seclusion and wild horses, the day unfolded with an energy that was powerful in its contrast — formal styling set against a raw, untouched landscape. The bride wore two looks: a striking, fashion-forward gown for the ceremony followed by a second look styled with fresh hair and makeup for the reception — both perfectly at home against the windswept backdrop of the 4x4 beaches.

The groom and groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos, sharp and timeless against the neutral tones of sand and sea. It was black-tie with a twist — the kind of juxtaposition that speaks to couples who appreciate tradition but crave something more personal, more dramatic, and more unforgettable.

The reception took place poolside under the stars, open-air and candlelit, with each element designed to blend refinement with relaxed Outer Banks atmosphere. The views were endless. The air was warm. And every detail — from timing to tone — was executed with intention.

As always, our approach to photography emphasized the essence of the day: portraits filled with timeless energy, clean direction, and a visual style that never tries too hard. These are the kinds of events we’re built for — black-tie destination weddings where storytelling matters, and elegance is found not just in styling, but in the way it all unfolds.

Planning a wedding in Carova’s 4x4 region or looking to host an elevated destination celebration on the Outer Banks? You don’t have to sacrifice luxury or polish to embrace the wildness of the coast — in fact, with the right team, that’s exactly where the magic lives.