Shifting Sands Wedding - Josie & Ian - Heather Hughes Photography

Shifting Sands Wedding Heather Hughes Photography

Ian and Josie were married on September 8^th, with a ceremony and reception at the Shifting Sands Beach Club at Dam Neck Naval Base.

These two met on Tinder, and when they met in person, Josie had to laugh when Ian started out with the corniest pick-up line she’d ever heard. He walked up to her, touched his shirt, and asked, “Does this look like boyfriend material?” Luckily for him, Ian’s sense of humor was spot on!

Josie & Ian’s Shifting Sands Wedding

Josie and Ian had a few things not go as planned leading up to the wedding, but they weren’t about to let that slow them down. They had actually planned to get married in June, but Ian was hurt and they ended up having to reschedule. And then, the week before the wedding, Josie had bronchitis. Ian was sick on the day of the wedding, too! But you know what they say, the best things in life you really do have to work for!

Then there was the weather.

We were watching the forecast throughout the day, but Josie’s friend (a professional weather forecaster) promised it couldn’t possibly rain on her as she walked down the aisle. He was right! Sadly, the weather didn’t hold throughout the ceremony, but we were prepared. I’d brought a couple extra umbrellas (and helped the videographer while I was at it), and a guest brought a suitcase full of umbrellas that hadn’t been used at her wedding. Everyone amazingly stayed mostly dry!

Josie was the coolest, calmest bride I’ve ever met—despite the chaos, weather, and HUGE undertaking of rescheduling! She did a lot of the planning herself and even found a cute AirBNB where they could get ready. She even arranged to have rose petals thrown at the end of the ceremony! I was so impressed with her! And even with all of that planning, she managed to find the time to squeeze in a bridal portrait session with me the weekend before the wedding on the beach at First Landing State Park.

Ian & Josie, thank you for showing everyone around you that love can truly conquer anything! Thank you shout-out also to my second shooter, Mike DiBari, for all your help!