Lara & Brandon’s Spring Wedding at Antebellum of New Kent
- Jun 12
- 6 min read
Lara and Brandon’s wedding day at Antebellum of New Kent was such a joy to photograph, and this one felt extra special to me because it was not my first time with Lara’s family.
I photographed Lara and her sisters for their graduation portraits, and later got to photograph her sister’s maternity and newborn session, so being invited into another milestone for this family was truly the sweetest thing.
Little by little, they have become one of those families I just hope I get to keep photographing forever.
A Richmond Couple Getting Married at Antebellum of New Kent
Lara and Brandon are both from Richmond, Virginia, and their story goes all the way back to high school.
They knew each other then, but only later in life started hanging out, dating, traveling together, and building this beautiful relationship. And if you spend even a few minutes with them, you can tell they are just fun to be around.
They laugh easily, they are so comfortable with each other, and they are completely in love in such a natural way. Nothing about them felt forced for the camera, which made their whole wedding day feel so easy and joyful to photograph.
They got married in June at Antebellum of New Kent, a beautiful wedding venue right outside of Richmond, Virginia.
Their day had a warm, romantic feeling with champagne and copper tones throughout the details, and everything felt elegant.
he ceremony was behind the venue, and the reception happened inside the main room, which worked perfectly for their wedding day flow. With around 140 guests, the space felt full of life but still comfortable, and I loved how everything happened in one place.
As a Richmond wedding photographer, I always love when a venue allows the day to move naturally from getting ready to ceremony, portraits, and reception without everyone having to rush from one location to another.
Wedding Details and a Vendor Team That Made the Day Feel So Smooth
One of the reasons Lara and Brandon’s wedding day flowed so beautifully was because they had such a wonderful vendor team around them.
Hailey Prestes helped with the wedding planning, and I have to say, the day felt so organized while still feeling relaxed, which is exactly what you want on a wedding day. Everything had its place, but nothing felt stressful.
Oleg Tsvetkov was there filming the day, and I always love when couples choose photo and video together because there are so many little moments happening all day long that deserve to be remembered in different ways.
Lara looked absolutely beautiful in her Ava Laurenne gown by Justin Alexander, and the whole bridal look came together so softly with makeup by CocoLemon by Allure.
Her bridesmaids wore Azazie dresses, and the champagne and copper tones throughout the day gave everything such a warm and romantic feeling.
Brandon and the groomsmen wore Men’s Wearhouse, and their look matched the day so well — classic, clean, and timeless.
The florals by Annette Tomas added so much warmth to the ceremony and reception spaces, and I loved how they worked with the venue instead of overpowering it.
The reception inside Antebellum of New Kent felt inviting and full of life, with catering by Deep Run Roadhouse and music by DJ MFN Rah bringing everyone together for such a fun celebration.
Ceremony and Family Moments at Antebellum of New Kent
One of my favorite things about Lara and Brandon’s day was how much family was part of it.
Lara had a first look with her bridesmaids and then with her dad, and both moments were so sweet to witness. She also took a generational photo with her mom and grandma, which is the kind of image I know will only become more meaningful with time.
During the ceremony, their parents prayed over the rings before they exchanged vows, and that moment felt so special. It was such a beautiful reminder that a wedding day is also about the people who have loved them, prayed for them, raised them, and are standing beside them as they begin their marriage.
Bride and Groom Portraits at Antebellum of New Kent
My favorite part of the day was bride and groom portraits because Lara and Brandon were so fun and comfortable in front of the camera.
They trusted Oleg and me, laughed together, moved so naturally, and just enjoyed those few minutes as husband and wife. I always guide my couples through posing, but the best photos happen when they stop thinking too much about the camera and simply focus on each other.
That is exactly what they did, and their portraits felt romantic, joyful, and completely true to them.
I also loved photographing them around Antebellum of New Kent because the venue gave us beautiful variety without needing to go far.
The outdoor areas were perfect for portraits with Willow Trees (you know I love them!), and the reception space had so much charm, especially the stairs inside.
I know that sounds like such a photographer thing to say, but details like that make a difference in a wedding gallery because they give the photos more depth and personality.
8 Hours of Wedding Photography Coverage at One Venue
Lara and Brandon booked 8 hours of wedding photography coverage, and it was the perfect fit for their wedding day at Antebellum of New Kent.
Since everyone got ready at the venue and the ceremony and reception were also in the same place, we were able to photograph the full story of the day without losing time driving between locations.
Before the wedding, I created a custom photography timeline so we could plan everything intentionally, from getting ready photos and first looks to family portraits, ceremony, reception details, and dance floor coverage.
A good timeline makes such a difference because it gives the day structure while still leaving room for real moments to happen. And because Lara and Brandon had the right amount of coverage for their wedding day, we had time for the emotional moments, the pretty details, the portraits, and the party.
A Fun Wedding Reception at Antebellum of New Kent
And speaking of the party…
their reception was FUN.
Lara and Brandon hit the dance floor like no other, and their guests were right there with them. DJ MFN Rah kept the energy going, and the whole room felt like a real celebration from the moment the dancing started.
The music, the laughter, the movement, the people singing along, everyone just fully enjoying the night — those are always some of my favorite reception photos because they feel so alive.
I love beautiful details and emotional ceremonies, but there is something so special about a reception where people fully let go and enjoy the night.
Lara and Brandon’s reception had so much of that, and it was the best way to end such a meaningful day.
Lara and Brandon
Lara and Brandon, thank you so much for trusting me to photograph your wedding day.
It was such an honor to be there with you, especially after photographing your family through other beautiful seasons.
Your day was warm, joyful, emotional, and full of so much love. I hope these photos always bring you back to the prayers over your rings, the tears during your vows, the laughter during portraits, the full dance floor, and the beginning of your marriage surrounded by everyone who loves you.
Vendor Team
Photographer: Munhoz Photography
Venue: Antebellum of New Kent
Wedding Planner: Hailey Prestes
Videographer: Oleg Tsvetkov
Florist: Annette Tomas
Makeup: Jasmine Moos
Hairstylist: CocoLemon by AllureBride’s
Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie
Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Catering: Deep Run Roadhouse
DJ: DJ MFN Rah
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Antebellum of New Kent a good wedding venue near Richmond, Virginia?
Yes. Antebellum of New Kent is a beautiful wedding venue right outside of Richmond, Virginia, and it worked so well for Lara and Brandon’s wedding day. Since getting ready, ceremony, portraits, and reception all happened at the same venue, the whole day flowed smoothly and gave everyone more time to enjoy the celebration.
How many hours of wedding photography coverage do you need at Antebellum of New Kent?
For Lara and Brandon’s wedding, 8 hours of coverage was perfect. Because everything happened at the same venue, we were able to photograph getting ready moments, first looks, family portraits, ceremony, bride and groom portraits, reception details, and dance floor coverage without the day feeling rushed.
Do you help couples create a wedding photography timeline?
Yes. I create a custom photography timeline for my wedding couples so we can plan the day intentionally. For Lara and Brandon, the timeline helped us make space for all the important moments while still allowing the day to feel relaxed and natural.
More Richmond Weddings
If you are newly engaged and planning your wedding, an engagement session in Virginia is such a sweet way to document this season before the wedding day. Or if you are searching for wedding inspiration, you can also explore my guide to Richmond wedding venues.
Planning a wedding day that feels personal, relaxed, and full of meaning? I would love to photograph it for you. You can learn more about my Virginia wedding photography collections or reach out to start planning your photography timeline.
Download my welcome guide for tips, timelines, and what to expect:
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