Real {Virginia} Wedding: Katrina + Bryan

Anyone who has ever attended law school can attest to the fact that it is very very intense. There is an encyclopedia-worth of daily reading material, embarrassing classroom cold calls by professors, and hours of grueling examinations-not to forget, of course, the cloud of the bar exam looming over every student. With all the stress and anxiety that law school can bring, it’s easy to assume that no one could ever possibly find love there, right? Wrong! Meet Katrina Latrice Tollerson and Bryan C. Brantley and let their story show you that love is everywhere.

The Brantleys’ gorgeous wedding took place on April 9, 2011 at The Dominion Club in Glen Allen, VA. It was somehow both classy and elegant, and relaxing and comfortable at the same time. Shayla Hawkins, the couple’s wedding planner, rocked it :) Every precious moment was captured through the lens of photography whiz, Jennifer Colina Photography. See more of her work at her blog.

Katrina met Bryan in law school…

“Bryan was coaching a mock trial team at my law school. We were introduced by mutual friends. We went on our first date shortly after meeting and have been together ever since. We were both so comfortable with each other that it had a “we’ve known each other forever” feel.  We took the relationship slowly, but we always knew that we’d be together forever.”

I don’t know whether they won that mock trial competition or not but I do know this, both Katrina and Bryan came out big winners that day. There’s nothing more important than realizing that you’ve found your better half…the person to weather all the storms of life with, the person to share all the joys with-forever!

Bryan’s proposal was an attempt at stealth. He might have made Katrina a tad suspicious but the important thing is…she said, “Yes!”

“Bryan tricked me into believing that we were meeting his boss and his boss’ wife for a dinner meeting. We arrived at a castle turned restaurant and it seemed far too romantic for a business dinner. The reservations were in Bryan’s name and when we got to our table in the “library” of the castle it was only set for two.  After placing our orders Bryan explained that his boss wasn’t coming and got down on one knee and proposed :)”

On what they wanted to achieve with their wedding…

“We wanted it to be traditional and elegant, but we also wanted it to be comfortable…not stuffy.  We just wanted to make sure that everyone involved enjoyed themselves.” -Katrina

The theme for their wedding? From their lush pictures, you might have guessed…”Southern, classy, traditional”

Katrina and Bryan are a star couple: Katrina stated that they didn’t have any disagreements! This was because…”Bryan let my wedding planner, Shayla, and I have complete control.  His biggest concern was remaining within budget.”

The wedding decor was rife with varying shades of pink making the scene elegant, flirty, feminine and absolutely perfect. Pink is much more than a girly color; it is also warm and soothing, and I have Katrina and Bryan’s wedding to prove it.

To find their wedding vendors, the couple…”used lots of wedding websites and databases.”

Katrina had a rare bridal experience: she shared that the easiest part of the process was finding her dress. Wow! It’s amazing when a bride finds the perfect dress without too much stress. Alas, for most brides the opposite is the case.

Her most difficult experience? Finding the perfect venue. However, we think she scored a winner with the venue she settled on :).

On what the couple enjoyed most at their wedding….

“Our first dance to “You and I” by Stevie Wonder”

Katrina and Bryan, as you found your way to the dance floor and held each other for the first time as husband and wife, may you always find your way to each other. May you never forget how it feels to hold each other in love, appreciation and awe, to say, “You are mine forever!”

VENDORS

BRIDAL GOWN: Pattis
SHOES :  Stuart Weitzman
FORMALWEAR: Men’s Wearhouse

VENUE :  The Dominion Club, Glen Allen, VA
WEDDING PLANNER  :  Shayla Hawkins of Shayla Hawkins Events
FLORIST :  Floraculture, LLC
CAKE :  Baker’s Kitchen

BRIDESMAIDS GOWNS :  Jim Hjelm
HAIR/MAKEUP :  Amber Edmunds
HONEYMOON :  Phuket and Koh Samui, Thailand

PHOTOGRAPHER :  Jennifer Colina Photography
CATERER :  The Dominion Club
REGISTRIES : Crate & Barrel; Bed, Bath & Beyond; Target

[nggallery id=189]