Couples

the newest work, featured weddings & engagements, helpful posts for the couple planning a joyful wedding & see more about the heart behind the lens

Here’s my favorite wedding venues in Virginia for the most incredible portraits, coming from a Richmond VA wedding photographer who knows that not only should your venue be a spectacular place for hosting a wedding but should also have equally spectacular features for your wedding day photography.

Modern & Classic VMFA Wedding

It was an incredible day filled to the brim with stunning details. Luisa & Matt decided on March 19 for their wedding date and we were blessed with one of the most beautiful Virginia spring days I’ve ever seen for a wedding. Luisa’s eye for a classy and modern wedding came to life and I was blown away by the details and how her vision came together for their VMFA wedding in Richmond, Virginia.

They waited 441 days for this day. It was so evident on their wedding day just how loved they are by the people who know them and knowing them, you just can’t help it. I loved every minute of working with these two and it never even felt like work because it was just so much fun! It was truly my honor being their photographer and friend. Enjoy scrolling through my favorites from this gorgeous whimsical and colorful summer Old Silk Mill wedding!

Last Friday I got to meet Matt & Luisa at Libby Hill Park in Richmond VA for their engagement session and I have to say it was definitely one of the most fun engagement sessions I’ve ever done! The weather was perfect and it was a sunny day which made for gorgeous golden hour portraits! Luisa and Matt were so fun to talk with and getting to hear more about them and their sweet pets! Especially since their 5 month old puppy, Max, joined us for photos and I was over the moon!

Engagements

Weddings

Wedding photographer, Dunkin' enthusiast, and lover of all things romance and weddings.

MEET MONICA

boudoir

For Brides

It was the perfect day for a picnic. Fluffy clouds, warm sun, not unbearably hot weather and a gorgeous park to picnic in. When we were planning their engagement session, Clare mentioned a fun laidback picnic vibe and I was 100% in for it! So the day came and it did NOT disappoint.

It was a gorgeous golden hour engagement session at Raven’s Roost overlook in the Blue Ridge mountains. Golden hour, champagne, a sweet pup and a little bit of getting yelled at for the most amazing engagement session portraits.

A couple months after popping the question on a surprisingly warm December day, John & Emily found themselves at the VMFA again but for their engagement session and what an incredible time it was!

Recapping and showing my favorite images from 2021’s engagement sessions. I had 10 engagement sessions last year and I loved getting to photograph each couple at some of my favorite engagement session locations in Richmond Virginia!

While 2021 was not the best year ever (in fact, it was definitely one of the hardest), I had a lot of fun looking back and picking my favorites for this post. The Best of Weddings yearly blog post is one of my favorites and it’s not hard to see why. So many gorgeous weddings with the most incredible couples and I remember the moments behind the photos, wishing I could photograph these weddings all over again.

© MJ MENDOZA PHOTOGRAPHY 2022

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