I think it is so so so important to do bridal sessions and was thrilled when Gretchen opted in for them! It gives you a chance to wear your dress, move in it and not be rushed to capture those perfect photos. Sometimes(well most times) on your wedding day there just isn’t enough time to really breathe and capture this many different locations for a bridal portraits. Doing them before helps to make sure that the whole look comes together and translates perfectly into pictures.

I met her, her mom Kathy and dad Andy at the gorgeous grounds of The Hermitage Museum in Norfolk on a chilly October day. We roamed the grounds for quite some time finding perfect nooks and crannies to tuck into. The overcast sky provided the perfect light for it too!

You’d never know from these photos because Gretchen was SUCH a trooper but it was chilly and windy!! The whole time she constantly kept smiling and saying “Oh no, I’m fine” she really is such a doll! I hope these photos showcase just how gorgeous of a person she is on the inside as well as the outside, a natural beauty for sure!

Special thanks to Jessica Barbini for the perfect bridal makeup!