There are wedding days, and then there are wedding celebrations. For Kate and Morgan, it was never going to be anything less than a celebration.

Over a decade in the making, for me to say that this day was held in anticipation for a lot of people would be just a slight, tiny understatement. Kate and Morgan were high school sweethearts, falling in love with each other while they grew up into the people who they are meant to be. A relationship like theirs is built on the firmest of foundations: a healthy mixture of time, experience, joy and laughter, trials and pain, and the support of family and friends who have been around since before the very first date so many dates ago. A relationship like Kate and Morgan’s builds a certain community around itself—a tribe if you will—100 histories shared with the people who mean the most to them, and it makes a wedding day like theirs something special indeed. The truth is that, while most weddings mark the merging of two separate families and two unique groups of friends, Kate’s family has been Morgan’s family for years, and though she didn’t officially share the last name, the Petro’s have thought of Kate as one of their own for a decade. Kate and Morgan’s wedding wasn’t a merging of two separate worlds, but a celebration of the joy and love and struggle and support that they’ve shared with their tribe thus far and all of the joy and love and struggle and support that they will share in the years to come. And to be invited to be there and feel the decade worth of love from Kate and Morgan’s tribe, it was something beautiful.

But oh, the beauty doesn’t even end there. Kate, an incredibly talented interior designer with impeccable taste, created the most beautiful atmosphere at the already stunning Silverbrook Farm in Purcellville. With touches of farmhouse elegance to complement their barn reception, an abundance of  to-die-for florals by the supremely talented Petals and Hedges, vintage details at every turn and meaningful personalized touches all around—a cookbook guest book! Perfect for these two who LOVE to cook!—it was, quite frankly, a photographer’s dream. Even Momma Nature got on board the love train as the rain held off and the farm was graced with the most beautiful of Virginia sunsets. Kate and Morgan, you two. You two are one heck of a special couple and I am beyond honored to have been able to document this bit of your long and beautiful story. Thank you, thank you for your love and genuine spirits and for knowing how to throw one heck of a party! Now, without any more delay:

Introducing: Mr and Mrs Petro

Such an incredible day couldn’t have been possible without the help of so many talented folks. Many, MANY thanks to Kate and Morgan’s wonderful vendors:

Venue » Silverbrook Farm, Purcellville, VA
Bridal Gown » BHLDN by Anthropologie, “Penelope”
Groom’s Attire » Jim’s Formal Wear, Stephen Geoffrey Grey Dillon
Men’s Accessories » The Tie Bar
Bridemaids Dresses » Watters Too #235
Makeup Artist » Jennifer Smith of Laura Mercier
Hair Designer » G5 Salon, Nina
Floral Designer » Petals and Hedges
Caterer » Rochelle Myers Catering
Cake Bakery » Magnolia’s at the Mill
Pie Bakery » Mom’s Apple Pie Company
Stationery Designer » Minted
Coordinator » Sarah Lawrence of Silverbrook Farm
Band » Jake + the Burtones
DJ » Digital Sound Services
Second Shooter » Lauren Young Photography