On what turned out to be the hottest day of the year, Kaitlin (she/her) and Rob (he/him) celebrated their Martinsville, Virginia elopement in the sweetest, most down-to-earth way possible—on Kaitlin’s family’s 400-acre farm. A heat wave was sweeping through the area, but these two were so relaxed and intentional about their day that not even the weather could steal their joy. With iced coffee in hand and a flexible timeline that allowed for plenty of A/C breaks, Kaitlin and Rob embraced a pace that fit them perfectly—and honestly, that’s what made it so special.
Breakfast with Family
The morning started off slow and cozy. I arrived at the farmhouse just as everyone was starting to think about what they wanted for breakfast. Kaitlin and Rob kept it simple with bagels and cream cheese, plus their weekend ritual must-have: iced coffee.
Dennis (Kaitlin’s dad) made scrambled eggs for himself, Kristi (Kaitlin’s mom), and Rob. It wasn’t a big sit-down spread—it was more casual and sweet, just like them. I grabbed some candid photos of everyone hanging out before moving on to details and it was the perfect way to ease into the day.
Detail Photos
While everyone was finishing up, I started photographing Kaitlin and Rob’s details. Both of their rings were rose gold and Kaitlin’s bouquet and Rob’s boutonniere were made of artificial flowers ordered from Etsy (and shipped internationally!). She also had a hair clip to match and her earrings and Rob’s tie were carefully chosen.
But what really made these photos shine were the personal items Kaitlin included—like an old book that’s been in her family forever and a spinning wheel that’s always been part of the farmhouse. Both added a vintage, homey vibe that tied everything together beautifully.
Farmhouse Portraits
Around 8am, Rob and Kaitlin’s dad headed to the cabin/lodge so Kaitlin and her mom could get ready at the farmhouse. The lodge, fun fact, used to belong to a former lieutenant governor of Virginia. It’s a historic space that’s been modernized but still holds so much character.
Back at the farmhouse, Kaitlin hung her dress and we took some mirror photos just like she’d imagined. At one point, she let her dog Nova out—and watching them play together made for some of my favorite candid shots. Nova knows tricks and has a serious obsession with her ball, which was hilarious to watch.
Inside, Kristi helped Kaitlin into her dress. There were tears, quiet moments, and soft smiles—the kind of emotion you can’t script. After she was dressed, we made time for dedicated portraits of Kaitlin because she told me she really wanted to “feel like a bride.” And wow—her vintage-style dress, paired with the bright florals, felt so timeless and lovely.
First Looks
We drove to the lodge for first looks, careful to make sure Rob and Dennis weren’t peeking. Kaitlin did a first look with her dad first—his face lit up and he let out a heartfelt “Wow!”
Then it was Rob’s turn. I helped him pin on his boutonniere before setting him up for the reveal. When he turned around and saw Kaitlin, his first words were “Oh damn!” which made everyone laugh. It was lighthearted, real, and absolutely perfect.
We grabbed a few quick family portraits before heading deeper into the woods for their next round of photos.
Creek and Forest Portraits
The driveway leading to the lodge made for a beautiful forest backdrop and we took our time here before hopping into the rented Tahoe (which we lovingly referred to as the “party bus”). We headed down to the creek for some photos that Kaitlin had dreamed about.
Before we wrapped up the first part of the day, we made sure to photograph Kaitlin with her childhood dog, Hawk. Then everyone took a well-earned break. Kaitlin and Rob had planned an 8-hour split timeline, so we had about 6 hours before part two kicked off! They napped, Kaitlin decorated their cake, and I headed home to back up photos and recharge.
Dinner Barbecue & Cake Cutting
When I returned in the evening, things felt relaxed and celebratory. Kaitlin’s dad grilled turkey burgers and we all enjoyed a low-key dinner with pasta salad and chips. The heat hadn’t let up, so Dennis popped in and out of the house to stay cool while grilling.
After dinner, it was time for cake! Kaitlin and her mom had added some flowers from Michael’s to a vanilla cake they picked up from Sam’s Club. The finishing touch? A custom rose gold wire topper shaped into a “K” and “R.” Kaitlin and Rob cut the cake together, giggled while feeding each other little bites, and Kaitlin’s dad was so excited about the cake, he went back for seconds.
Pond Portraits
Following dinner and cake, Kaitlin and Rob put their wedding attire back on for more photos around the property. We sneaked in a few photos of Kaitlin with her dog, Nova, before we headed out to the pond. We switched over to Dennis’s Jeep since the Tahoe couldn’t make it down that path. The pond at sunset was everything—dramatic, golden, and peaceful all at once. Kaitlin’s dress caught the light perfectly and Rob looked sharp in his navy suit and light blue tie. We didn’t stay too long because of the humidity, but it was just long enough to capture that golden magic.
Mountain View Portraits
For the final stop of the day, we drove to a scenic mountain overlook to catch the tail end of sunset and the start of blue hour. Kaitlin wanted some creative mirror portraits here, which we fit in before wrapping up. As if on cue, a plane flew overhead—and since aviation is such a big part of their story, it felt like the perfect final touch.
Kaitlin & Rob’s Love Story
Kaitlin and Rob met on August 9, 2016, at the Oklahoma City Squadron for the Civil Air Patrol—a civilian, all-volunteer auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. Both of them had grown up in the program on opposite ends of the country (Kaitlin in Virginia and Rob in California) and eventually crossed paths as adults while continuing to serve. Since then, they’ve served at three different squadrons together, all in the central Oklahoma area. That shared sense of service, structure, and purpose became a foundation for their relationship.
They’ve marked every major milestone of their relationship with an airport—sometimes by accident, sometimes on purpose. They met at Will Rogers World Airport, shared their first kiss at Max Westheimer Airport, and Rob proposed at Wiley Post Airport next to a fully operational B-25 Mitchell bomber—the same aircraft flown in the Doolittle Raid, which also influenced their choice to have their legal ceremony on December 7th. Their love story is grounded in shared history, aviation, and being intentional with each choice they make.
When they’re not traveling or watching planes, Kaitlin and Rob are the kind of couple who genuinely enjoy just being together. They start every weekend with a Dunkin’ run for iced coffee and breakfast. They religiously rewatch every Star Wars show and movie as part of their daily wind-down ritual. And they thrive in home improvement store aisles, making their house a home together. They’re the iced-coffee-and-garden-center type—intentional, steady, and full of joy in the everyday.
Final Thoughts
For Kaitlin and Rob, this wasn’t just a wedding—it was an experience built entirely around what mattered most to them. From photographing their family’s keepsakes to hopping in the Jeep for sunset portraits, every piece of this day was infused with meaning and presence. I feel so lucky to have been invited into it.
I had actually met Kaitlin’s parents a week before their Martinsville, Virginia elopement when we did a walkthrough of the farm together. Kaitlin wasn’t able to be there in person—she was still in Oklahoma—but before my visit, she prepped her parents by saying, “Just imagine Cameron as someone I’d probably be friends with in college.” I didn’t hear about that until the end of their elopement day, when Kaitlin shared it with me—and it honestly meant so much.
Later that evening, her parents said, “It’s nice to have a day like this with someone you feel like you’ve known forever.” And that’s exactly what the whole day felt like—easy, warm, and deeply personal.
Are you excited to start planning your Virginia elopement?
Whether you’re planning ahead or thinking about a last-minute elopement, I’m here to help you create something intentional, flexible, and 100% you. No pressure, no stress—just a day filled with real connection and stunning memories.
Kaitlin and Rob knew from the beginning that a traditional wedding didn’t feel like the right fit. They’d both been down that road before and they wanted something that felt more authentic to where they are now in life. By choosing an intimate Martinsville, Virginia elopement on family land and working with a photographer who could help them slow down, stay cool (literally), and enjoy the day—it all came together just the way they’d hoped.
If we haven’t met yet, I’m Cameron (she/her)—a Virginia elopement photographer and partial planner. I’d be absolutely honored to help you plan and document a day that feels authentic to y’all from start to finish.
Reach out to me today to schedule your free consultation call! Let’s turn your dream elopement into a reality. Curious about my packages and pricing options? Head over to my pricing page for more information. I can’t wait to hear from you and help you bring your vision to life!
More Resources & Inspiration for your Virginia elopement
Looking for more inspiration? Here are a few more elopements I’ve photographed that might spark ideas:
- Melissa and Marshall’s Blue Ridge Mountain Wedding in Virginia
- Christian and Lana’s Liberty Trust Elopement in Roanoke, Virginia
- Jenny and Adam’s Mill Mountain Star Elopement in Southwest Virginia
- Frazier and Austin’s Heritage Park Elopement in Blacksburg, Virginia
- Hunter and Troy’s Blackrock Summit Elopement in Shenandoah National Park
Are y’all in need of more planning help? I’ve got ya covered! Check out some of my free elopement planning resources below:
- Best Elopement Venues in Virginia: Indoor & Outdoor Locations by Region
- How to Plan an 8-Hour Virginia Elopement
- What to Wear for Your Elopement: A Guide to Elopement Wedding Attire
- Eloping in Virginia: The Complete Guide
- The Best Places to Elope in Southwest Virginia
