A wedding is the perfect opportunity for a couple to express their love for each other and share what they love with the people they love, even people who are no longer with us and pets. Shayna and Daniel’s meaningful Virginia Beach wedding did exactly that.
Picking a Virginia Beach Wedding Venue
The venue sets the vibe for the entire wedding and Daniel and Shayna chose theirs easily: the Hilton Garden Inn Virginia Beach Oceanfront. They both love the beach, have stayed at this specific hotel multiple times, and “were so excited to share a place we love so much with our closest family and friends.”
Choosing a Few Favorite Memories
It’s hard to pick just a few favorite memories from such a special day, but Erika asked them to (she’s evil like that). Multiple favorites came up, including when their dog Elsie acted as ring bearer. Pets can be the perfect addition to a wedding, especially when they’re as “sweet and goofy” as Elsie!
Honoring Someone Who’s No Longer with Us
On a more serious note, Shayna’s father passed away in 2022. She shares that, “My dad was my best friend and I wanted him to be a big part of the celebration.” To include him in every part of the ceremony, she carried a picture charm of him with her bouquet and reserved a chair for him. They had a memorial table for him at the reception and played some of his favorite music too.
Finding Joy Shots Photography
Finding the right photographer for all these sweet and serious memories is important. Daniel and Shayna found Erika from Joy Shots Photography through a friend’s recommendation and chose her because, “we were told [she] was great at capturing candid moments, which is exactly what we wanted.”
Recommending Other Vendors
Beyond the photographer, other vendors played a big role in their special day:
- Venue and Catering: Hilton Garden Inn Virginia Beach Oceanfront
- Makeup: Dhalia Edwards Makeup
- Hair: Erika Cuninghame from Wink Salon
- Cake: Incredible Edibles Bakery
- DJ: Jeff Bristow from Colonial DJs
Planning your own meaningful Virginia Beach wedding like Shayna and Daniel? Contact Joy Shots Photography today!
a note from erika
Shayna and Daniel’s day always holds a special place in my heart! I now can’t listen to Frankie Valli without remembering how special it was to jam out on the dance floor to his music in honor of Shayna’s father. (Plus I named all their files after Frankie Valli songs!) And their choice to add karaoke to the evening’s activities was especially unique and memorable.
I bring over a decade of experience to your wedding, and with that comes the knowledge that nothing is ever guaranteed. I’ll always take the time to learn about your closest people, including those who are no longer with us and how you’re choosing to honor them. Then I walk through your wedding day, trying to stay attuned to what you would most like to look back on in 5, 10 or even 50 years!