Today we’re sharing our very last wedding of the season! Marilyn and Matt just got married at The Gala 417, and their Virginia Beach wedding was the perfect way to close out the year. (I always forget the numbers in the name. Is it an area code? A random selection? It probably means something. We just don’t know what!)

A waterfront venue, old friends, and two of the most joyful people we’ve ever met. We really couldn’t have asked for a better ending.

A Blast From the Past

Our first interaction with Marilyn was a while back at Stephanie and Casey’s wedding. When Marilyn walked up, I thought, “Oh my gosh, what an absolute blast from the past!” Marilyn and I played soccer together, in a rec league as kids.

After this wedding, we went to the beach with my parents. My mom’s name is also Marilyn, so she instantly remembered her from my soccer years. She turned to my dad and asked, “Do you remember when Laura used to play soccer with somebody who had my name? That’s whose wedding she photographed this weekend!” (He remembered instantly!) It’s just wild.

Coming Back for Their Own Wedding Day

It’s always great to walk into a wedding when you’ve already met the couple at an engagement session. It’s a whole other thing when they were part of a wedding you shot, and then they ask you to come back for their own.

It felt like I knew half the people there. That’s a huge exaggeration, but it’s so lovely to walk into a space where you already know people and have been through a wedding day together.

Our First Time at The Gala 417 – Virginia Beach Wedding

The Gala 417 was new to us, and it has a really interesting layout. Michael and I always get to new venues early to walk the property and plan how we’ll make everything work. So I was deep in my head: “Okay, if they’re over here, how do I get over there?”

Then Stephanie, our past bride, walked right by me. (I also know her from a past life, since we went to college together, and it didn’t even register that it was her at first!

Stephanie is an absolute joy and our biggest hype person. We consider ourselves pretty hype you up type people, but Stephanie takes it to a whole new level. She’s also hyper-organized, and everyone wants an organized friend in their corner on a wedding day. It was a delight to spend the day with her.

The rest of the day was stacked with good things too. We got to work with Tilden on video, and we love him. Their DJ was so fun. And the whole thing was right on the water. How can you beat that?

Marilyn and Matt, Surrounded by Their People

Still, nothing could hold a candle to the joy and pure loveliness of Marilyn and Matt, as a couple and as individuals.

Their wedding party made it obvious how genuine they are. The friends around them were so invested in their lives, because Marilyn and Matt are so invested in theirs. Everything felt close-knit and connected.

Both of them took time throughout the day to stop and appreciate the people around them, and not everyone does that on their wedding day. Mid-reception, Matt took his groomsmen aside to give them each a gift and thank them for being there. Throughout the night, Marilyn kept pulling her bridesmaids aside one by one to say, “I’m so happy you’re here.”

Bubbly doesn’t even come close to describing Marilyn. She was joy incarnate. She gave her mom a special thank-you in her own speech. Her brother’s toast was so heartfelt, telling her he knew everything she had been to him. That kind of love was everywhere you looked.

When the Clock Doesn’t Matter

Here’s a little secret: we were running a bit behind on the timeline. You never would have known it by looking at Marilyn and Matt, though.

They had the best mindset about it. Their attitude was, “We know what time we’re getting married. Everything in between, we just want to be fun.” And it was.

Letters, Vows and a Love That Fits

Throughout their relationship, Matt has written Marilyn a lot of letters, and writing back and forth was a big part of how they first got to know each other. I wasn’t in the room when Matt opened his gift and read his letter. But I wish everyone could have been in the room when Marilyn read hers from Matt. It was so sweet.

And his vows? Holy moly. Both of their vows were really, really good.

The way they love each other is so sweet. Marilyn is big, all “yay!” and joy and hugeness. Matt is a little quieter, but so intentional with his words and his time, and you can see it in everything he pours into Marilyn. They’re not the same people, and they work together perfectly.

The Perfect Wedding to End Our Season

This was such a perfect wedding to end on. This year we’ve had great vendors, elaborate setups and all kinds of amazing experiences. But at the end of the day, the reason we love this job is the people it brings into our lives, and Marilyn and Matt are the perfect embodiment of that.

“Ideal clients” doesn’t even begin to describe them. Words just aren’t adequate for this pair. We could honestly talk about them forever.

Marilyn and Matt, congratulations! We loved getting to photograph your Waterfront Virginia Beach wedding and celebrate with all of your people right on the water. Enjoy a few of our many favorites!

The Vendor Team

VENUE | The Gala 417
STATIONERY | Zazzle
FLORIST | Ling’s Moment
MAKEUP | Transformations Artistry
BAKERY | Publix
ENTERTAINMENT | Own It Productions
DRESS | Kleinfeld Bridal
BRIDESMAIDS | Azazie
SUITS | Men’s Wearhouse
VIDEO | Lexa Visuals