Autumn Moundsville WV Wedding | Brittany + Daniel

Ahhhhhhhh…WHERE do I even begin? I could begin when Brittany and I met in middle school. Then, we went to high school together and played sports together. Her mom was my very first nursing instructor in high school…and then became my first mother of the bride ten years ago. Yep…I photographed Brittany’s sister’s wedding. Then, I kept in touch with Brittany over the years and we never lost touch…and then I did their engagement session (HERE) back in March where I kind of rambled about some of this too in that blog. I do NOT know where to start with this wedding blog…but that’s most of the back story! SOOoOooo much to feel and say in this one too! I’m all over the place…SO, we’ll just get right down to business, shall we?! Brittany and Daniel’s most beautiful, fall wedding is on the blog right now! They are now Mr. & Mrs. Garrison…ENJOY!

So, Becca (also a Wellsburg native and went to school with us too) and I met up at GrandVue’s cabins where the ladies were getting ready. We had previously been scouting locations for fall foliage and that beautiful POP of Hannah Barlow Photography color! Fall was tricky this year BUT…the first weekend of November never fails us…and it didn’t fail us this year either. I can always depend on this weekend for all that color! We had already found our “photo spot”. Mr. Justin Geery and Mason arrived to film the whole day and we got right down to business! First up, I found Brittany getting her hair done with Hiedi (Hey, girl! ALSO a Brooke High alum) AND Linnie had just got done with makeup (also owns a business in Wellsburg…I’m honestly not sure if she went to Brooke or MAYBE I’m just that old…girl…catch me up!). So, you see…even though we were in Marshall County…it felt like one big Brooke High reunion! SooOOoOO many familiar faces!

I’ve just been feeling like I am lacking color these days! The more neutral color palettes are so trendy right now so I was super duper excited for these details! Give me ALL the color!!! ALL OF IT! Brittany had me all set up with everything I needed in one place (including this gold tray which I LOVE). Bria called me up and said, “Don’t start yet! I have florals for you!”…add in my leaves I stole off the ground and it was a fall wedding DREAM for details! Shoutout to everyone…TEAMWORK makes the wedding dreams work!

As all mornings go, as soon as we got done with those details it was time to get moving and get all of those getting ready moments before we raced off for the first look!

There was a minor miscommunication on hangers and Brittany was all “Brittany” and saying, “It’s fineeeeeeeee, Hannah. It’s FINE…I’m not worried about this hanger.” HAVE YOU MET ME?! I’ve met me…it would have bothered me my whole life. So, we grabbed the dress real quick, went right back outside and redid the dress photos with the correct hanger!

THEN, we got her dressed!

I hitched a ride with Justin so Brittany could grab her things. We got ahead of Becca and the bride so we could do Daniel’s finishing touches before the first look!

I really thought I had some time but either Becca was ON IT and pushing Brittany out the door…or Brittany was ON IT and just got right in that car (which never happens with brides but I’m going with the latter…Becca doesn’t have one pushy bone in her body and Brittany doesn’t seem to stress about anything so I’m sure she’s like “let’s go!”). So, Brittany waited in the car while we got Daniel all set up. And then his mom popped in at the most PERFECT time and we got some moments with her!

THEN, it was time for the first look and the couple exchanged rings so they’d have them in their car. Fun Fact: I messed up here…I had given them to the coordinator, Cassie. She DID ask, “Do you need anything else before I leave?” and I confidently said, “NOPE!”…Well, in the first look moment I realized…CASSIE HAD THE RINGS. So, I sneakily (maybe not so sneakily) texted her from my watch and she’s an angel…and she turned around and came back and handed me the rings and I don’t think the couple ever knew…until now…because I can’t help myself and put everything in the blog!

While Becca was arranging the bridal party and getting them all ready, we do what we always do and got some quick bride and groom portraits. I wasn’t convinced the fall foliage would pop as much as I wanted it to later…so we utilized these trees. Boy was I SHOCKED and so pleasantly surprised when we got over to our other location. It was even better!

AHHHHH!! Fall! You really did show up! The wedding Gods have been on my side all year (I shouldn’t jinx it before my last weekend this weekend). It had rained all week prior to this day and we were worried about the mud…lucky for us, it was super windy the day before and dried everything RIGHT up! The ladies were chilly and I may have had to photoshop some goose bumps from that chill but holy moly…look how beautiful and gorgeous they all are…the foliage is…ALL OF IT!

Bria truly outdid herself with those florals!

We mixed the bridal party sides together for some fun photos! I raced up to the ceremony space because I could see guests starting to arrive from my side eye. I knew I’d never get the clean wide open shot if I didn’t pause (while I had Becca arranging bridal party) and run up to get these! I’m glad I did!

I got right back and everyone was ready!

OOoooO BRITTANY! GIRL! You’re gorgeous! If you would have told us 20 years that you’d be a beautiful bride surrounded by fall foliage…and I’d be your wedding photographer. Well, I can hear us laughing now! Who would have thought?!

Then, it was the men’s turn for photos!

Looking good, Daniel!!!

…and this is where I lost my mind. Brittany’s mom later told me she heard me yelling and screaming in excitement. I even said, “I can’t wait to go home!”…..and then everyone looked at me. And I had to correct myself and say, “…so I can sort and edit these!” Hannah…foot in mouth…it’s been a problem my whole life. I KNOW. I’m aware….but really…if you were seeing this and taking these photos…you would have done the same! I could NOT wait to see them on my computer!

**cue the ooey gooey lovey music, please!**

Seriously…these are SO DREAMY!

Even the black and whites are stunning even without the color!

Alllll the little details!

These candid ones below are some of my absolute favorites!

…or maybe this wide angle one below! AHHHHHH!!!

Then, it was time for the ceremony! Brittany had originally wanted it to be outside but because of the chill in the air, she moved it inside. That’s a true testament to how sweet she and Daniel are…because many would have said “suck it up….we’re going to freeze together outside!”. Not Brittany and Daniel! Nope! And you know what, I’ve never seen GrandVue set up for a ceremony and I LIKE IT! Here comes the bride!

I particularly loved this moment when the officiant asked everyone to put their phones away…and then took a selfie! Everyone chuckled!

After the ceremony, we got right down the family formals and then we headed to Reilley’s Event Center in Moundsville where cocktail hour was in full swing! The couple was announced, they got straight down to their first dance, parent danced and then they cut their cake!

They cut cake too and after dinner, they had many people make speeches!

I love that newlywed glow!

THEN, the party got started!

…and the last thing I saw before we took off was the bride and groom arm in arm swinging each other around and THAT…was the perfect way to end the blog. I always like to have “that moment” to end the couple’s gallery too!

Brittany…I remember seeing this guy pop up on social media and I’m like, “Who is Daniel? Do we know him? What’s going on!?” Yea. I’m nosey like that! You know it. I know it. AND then you messaged me and called me to tell me you were getting married and said I HAD to be your photographer (which is like the sweetest compliment from anyone). Then, I met Daniel at the engagement session and just like everyone else at your wedding, I also too said, “Yep! He’s perfect for her!”. I totally and honestly see that you two are meant to be together!

I feel like people change over the years…Brittany is very much the same and Daniel and her fit perfectly together – calm personalities, sweet auras…all the things. It was an honor to be their photographer! I can’t wait to see what is next for them!

OooooOOo and because I’m crazy…here’s a photo of me and Brittany…from middle school or high school?! HA! ENJOY! And YES…phones weren’t around when we were in school. Good ole’ point and shoot, baby! Life is funny like that! We’ve come full circle…and clearly…I’ve never had personal space awareness!

…AND one more moment for the IUD painted on her sister’s nail! Brittany told me it’s a dream to be in People magazine…I’m going to try and get this to go viral when it’s fertility or women’s awareness month or something like that! Tune in next year! On last laugh! Thanks for reading everyone!

…it’s the progression of facial expressions for me!

Disclaimer: Hannah Barlow Photography blogs only represent a small portion of photos the couple actually receives in their private gallery.  The blogs are meant to highlight favorite photos and favorite moments of the wedding day and do not represent an entire gallery.

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Vendors

Ceremony Venue – GrandVue

Reception Venue – Reilley’s Reception & Events

Wedding Coordinator – Cassie Minder (Moving Mountains Events)

Bride’s Gown – Sorelle (Kittychen Couture)

Bridesmaids’ Dresses – Birdy Grey

Men’s Attire – Generation Tux

Hair – Hiedi Wood

Makeup – Linnie Biodnillo

Florist – Event Aesthetics

Videographer – Justin Geery (Justin Geery Films)

Cake – Masterpieces of Old Town

DJ – Keith Shreve

Catering – Alexander’s on 7th

Officiant – Eric Violet

Photo Booth – Oh Snap!

Other Vendors: Savvy Celebrations, 1978 Collection, Etsy