The John Marshall Ballrooms Wedding Photos

Crystal and Derek got married at The Historic John Marshall Ballrooms in downtown Richmond. It once was known as The Hotel John Marshall, opening its doors in 1929 as the largest hotel in Virginia. Well us Wedding Photographers (and couples wanting to tie the knot) are sure glad they underwent a total renovation, restoring its glorious ballrooms back to its original beauty. This place is breathtaking!

Derek and Crystal met at her sister-in-law’s birthday party, when she was just 15. There are pictures of the two of them sitting next to each other at the party, but they never spoke to each other or connect the dots until later. I love the power of photography and having photos to remind you of memories in the past, how fun to look back at them now that they are married. What a great story to tell to their children some day! Shortly after Crystal had moved to Richmond in 2011, they saw each other at the Watermelon festival, reconnected, and the rest is history. Derek proposed in Roanoke, Virginia at the Hotel Roanoke on Valentine’s day, nearly 5 years later in 2014. You can view their amazing urban Richmond engagement session filled with a ton of graffiti wall art HERE

Fast forward to June of this year, where they had the most beautiful wedding at The John Marshall, their ceremony taking place in the Marshall Ballroom and their reception in the huge and stunning, Virginia Ballroom. It was extremely hot and humid this day, but they (and their bridal party of 20!) braved the heat and we walked next door to the Carpenter Theatre for some outdoor portraits. I LOVED this great group of people, they were so much fun, down for anything, and had such a great time, which is what a wedding day should be all about. I can’t say enough good things about Derek and Crystal, they are so sweet, genuine, and you just feel good when you are around them. I really don’t recall a wedding where I laughed so much, danced so hard, and just felt like I was just surrounded by old friends 😉

I hope you enjoy the photos!

The John Marshall Ballroom with wedding dress Photo The John Marshall Ballroom chandelier Photo

Kate Spade shoes, my favorite!!

The John Marshall Ballroom with Kate Spade wedding shoes and wedding dress detail Photo

Seriously, how amazing are these wedding invitations?!

The John Marshall Ballroom wedding invitation Photo The John Marshall Ballroom with wedding dress detail and wedding ring Photo The John Marshall Ballroom bride getting ready Photo

Mom putting the finishing touches on the veil .. I just love this shot

The John Marshall Ballroom bride getting ready veil Photo

Crystal is smart and knew in advance, she would want to change her shoes, so Derek had picked out his and hers matching Disney Vans!! Her’s was princess characters and his was Mickey Mouse.

The John Marshall Ballroom bride getting ready putting on vans Photo

Crystal you are gorgeous!!

The John Marshall Ballroom bride getting ready room Photo The John Marshall Ballroom wedding ceremony Photo The John Marshall Ballroom ceremony little ring barer Photo The John Marshall Ballroom groom first look at his bride walking down the aisle Photo The Carpenter Theatre bridal party Photo The John Marshall Ballrooms groomsmen candid photo

Sometimes my favorite shots are the unposed ones, like this one! Derek and his guys, just being themselves!

The John Marshall Ballrooms groomsmen candid photo The Carpenter Theatre bridesmaid photo The Carpenter Theatre bride photo The Carpenter Theatre bride and groom close up photo The Carpenter Theatre bide and groom photo The John Marshall Ballroom bride and groom portrait photo The John Marshall Ballroom reception details photo The John Marshall Ballroom cake photo The John Marshall Ballroom lavender and grey themed wedding reception table photo The John Marshall Ballroom Mr. and Mrs. sweetheart table at reception photo The John Marshall Ballroom wedding reception photo The John Marshall Ballroom bride and groom first dance at reception photo

Crystal and her Dad started out a normal slow dance then busted out a choreographed routine, it was so awesome!!

The John Marshall Ballroom bride and father daughter dance at reception photo

And then everyone joined in! Thats how to get the party started!

The John Marshall Ballroom dancing at reception photo The John Marshall Ballroom groom dancing at reception photo The John Marshall Ballroom speech at reception photo The John Marshall Ballroom cake Mr. and Mrs. topper photo The John Marshall Ballroom bride and groom cutting of the cake at reception photo The John Marshall Ballroom dancing at reception photo

Derek (DJ Mercury) made these CDs as party favors!!

The John Marshall Ballroom unique homemade CD for wedding favors photo

The John Marshall Ballroom wedding sparkler exit photo

So the first parking garage we went to, the stairs were locked and elevator was broken, so we went to one further away, but still managed to get the historic sign!

The John Marshall Ballroom large historic marque sign at night photo

Contact Melissa HERE

Vendors

Ceremony and Reception: The John Marshall Ballrooms

Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero, Tiffany’s Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal

Groom’s Attire: Men’s Warehouse

Hair: Jade Multi-cultural Salon

Makeup: Hellooo Gorgeous

Flowers: Vogue Flowers

Cake: Sweet Fix

Catering: Homemades By Suzanne

Wedding Planner: Nica Lewis, Every Little Detail VA

Lighting: The Lighting Professors

DJ: Ski, Sherman Winfield

Videographer: Rob Roy, Soul Live Media

Invitations: Tarice Couser

Photo Booth: Shutterbooth Richmond

July 10, 2015