We absolutely adore Clay + Lauren and now they are MARRIED!! We were blessed with another gorgeous fall weekend, this time to celebrate these two high school sweethearts!! These two sweet, sweet people gathered their friends and families at the University of Richmond this past Saturday to witness their marriage.

With rain heavily forecasted all week, Lauren and I had been texting a rain plan back and forth. It poured all day on Friday, but we ended up having the most perfect overcast/sunny day for their Wedding the following day!! We were able to do so many gorgeous portraits of these two all in perfect lighting on a mostly empty campus!

If you know Clay + Lauren, then you’ll agree with me when I say they’re truly beautiful on the inside and out. Just wait until you see the Bride + Groom portraits of them on campus – we’re still swooning!!

Lauren + her girls rented out the prettiest Air B&B along Monument Avenue where they spent the previous night, as well as this morning before the Wedding. It had so much gorgeous natural light pouring in from the front rooms!!

The perfect bridesmaid gift: Kendra Scott earrings 🙂 The girls loved them!!!

This Ava Laurenne wedding dress was stunning on Lauren!! It had just the right amount of champagne and blush undertones, and the most beautiful jeweled buttons down the back. Her whole bridal look was flawless. She was such an iconic bride!! 

This little cutie pup followed us around all morning keeping an eye out that the coast was clear for Lauren to change without being seen!  

See this blue sapphire ring? Lauren’s great-grandfather was a jeweler and he MADE this!!

I mean goodness gracious, Lauren. You are just stunning!!!

Clay + his Groomsmen spent the morning getting ready nearby at the couple’s new house!

The guys looked so sharp in their black tuxedos. Clay also sported these cool cufflinks and modern watch.

Since their ceremony was going to end after the sunset, Clay + Lauren chose to do a First Look. This meant that 100% of their portraits could be done in natural light and they could enjoy cocktail hour with their guests.

We did their First Look at the amphitheater at the University of Richmond. Clay was all smiles when he saw his Bride.

These two met in 8th grade and started dating each other in early high school. They continued their relationship throughout college, even though they were long distance at separate universities in Virginia. Clay was the one who attended U of R. I can only imagine how many great memories these two now have tied to this beautiful campus.

The Proposal:  Clay brought Lauren to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens for a private and quiet Proposal. Lauren was completely surprised!!

I love their peacefulness together. It was beautiful to photograph them!

 We had this beautiful campus almost completely to ourselves!! The architecture and trees around the quads were SO pretty!!

As if you weren’t already swooning for Clay in a tux, he saved the day and CAUGHT a yellow jacket that was terrorizing the bridal party inside a boutonnière box!

 Love this group of best friends!! You guys were so wonderful and fun!!

At dusk, the pews inside of Cannon Memorial Chapel started filling with all their loved ones. Lauren and her Dad made a beautiful entrance together through the big doors.

They’re married!!! 🙂

Lauren + Clay had a beautiful reception at the Jepson Alumni Center on campus. They had greenery lining the tables and arranged in wreaths and long garlands throughout the tables.

Donuts from Sugar Shack are ALWAYS a crowd pleaser – but when you display them in fun, easy-to-grab + go ways they’re even better!!

 The rest of the evening was spent dancing and enjoying the company of their favorite people!

In addition to donuts, guests were treated to a delicious dinner, cupcakes, a Cigar Bar, a photobooth, and even indoor cornhole that repped the university’s Spiders logo! Lauren surprised Clay with the Cigar Bar and Cornhole!

Clay + Lauren,

You two and your love make this world a lot brighter. We can only imagine how much your relationship has evolved since you started dating during those ol’ high school days. Because you grew up together, you’ve refined each other already in such beautiful ways. You guys are an inspiration and such a great example of love…making it work no matter what. No matter the distance that any schooling or work ever put between you – no matter the circumstance, you guys came out on the other side even stronger. Even a month before your Wedding you bought a house and then moved in a WEEK before the big day! You two are in it for the long haul and all of life’s crazy-hard-it’s-happening-all-at-once-stuff, and that’s what we loved celebrating this day!! All of our expectations going into this day was that it was supposed to rain on your Wedding day…and then it was sunny the entire day. Our hope for your marriage is that exact parallel of it’s going to be more beautiful than you expected. You guys have something special that only gets better in the decades of anniversaries to come. We are SO happy and excited for you!!! Wishing you the best first week as husband + wife!! We love you both so much!!

Love,

The Tuckers

 

Talented Vendor List:

Venue + Catering | University of Richmond

Planning | Make it Posh Events

Hair + MUA | Avenue 42

Florals | Flowers by Mona Ray

Photography | The Tuckers Photography

Wedding Dress | Ava Laurenne Bridal

Earrings | Kendra Scott

Groom’s Attire | Jcrew

DJ | Bunn DJ Company

Cake | Pearls

Donuts | Sugar Shack Donuts

Invitations | Zazzle

Signage | Nicole Klahn, cousin of the bride