From the moment the day began, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a typical wedding. FahTesha (she/her) and Ashton (he/him) created something that felt deeply personal and entirely their own: a celebration that was intimate, elegant, and full of joy. On a warm summer morning, we brought their Downtown Roanoke wedding vision to life—starting at the historic Hotel Roanoke, weaving through the city to their ceremony at Century Plaza, and wrapping up with brunch and cake-cutting a short drive away at Famous Toastery.
Getting Ready with Ashton at the 1882 Lobby Bar
I arrived at Hotel Roanoke before sunrise, scouting out spots with the soft morning light. The 1882 Lobby Bar, which is usually bustling during normal operating hours, was empty and perfect for something more private and refined. Ashton wore a suit unlike any I’d photographed before: he sported a light tan fabric that stood out in all the right ways and complemented the location stunningly!
We started with detail shots—his boutonnière (a single, striking faux bloom on a stem) and cufflinks—before moving into photos of Ashton getting ready. Then, FahTesha’s brother, Man, arrived with a few surprises: a heartfelt letter from FahTesha and a box containing a pendant necklace featuring a photo of Ashton and his grandmother, who had passed the previous October.
The gift caught Ashton completely off guard, and as he read FahTesha’s vows and opened the box, tears came. He slipped on the necklace and paused to take it all in. It was such a moving moment to witness and document.
Getting Ready with FahTesha in Hotel Roanoke
Upstairs, FahTesha was getting her makeup finished by Clay Creation Beauty & Brows. Her sister, Kiara, was getting ready in the background while FahTesha’s dress hung nearby on a personalized hanger that read “Mrs. Green” with their wedding date etched into the wood.
While FahTesha got her final touch-ups, I photographed her bouquet—a white faux floral arrangement with draping fabric, jeweled embellishments, and a “love” heart trinket—and her accessories: shoes with pearl and ribbon details and beautifully manicured nails with intricate beadwork. She read the vows Ashton had written for her while still in her white pajama set and floral robe, tearing up as she gently patted her eyes with a tissue.
When it was time to get dressed, Kiara laced FahTesha into her corset-style mini dress. The finishing touch? A dramatic bow that fell just past her knees, which Man helped fasten. FahTesha looked stunning—modern, unique, and totally herself.
First Look on the Grand Staircase
For their first look, I positioned Ashton at the base of the grand staircase inside Hotel Roanoke. FahTesha walked down the stairs to meet him. When she tapped Ashton on the shoulder, the emotion hit him instantly.
“You look stunning! I love the dress,” he said, grinning ear to ear. “You look really good, baby.” They were giddy, nervous, and entirely wrapped up in each other. When he leaned in for a kiss, FahTesha playfully reminded him, “Not yet!”
We captured portraits on and around the staircase before heading out for their ceremony.
Ceremony at Century Plaza
Before guests arrived, I drove over to Century Plaza with a few important items—thank you bags for their guests. Their officiant, Daniel, and I helped place them on chairs (a huge shoutout to Daniel and Tasha for helping with setup!). Aztec Rentals handled the chair delivery and pickup.
A Party’s Favorite Entertainment was already set up at Century Plaza, getting everything in place to ensure the ceremony audio ran smoothly. He mic’d up Ashton and their officiant, Daniel, with discreet lav mics, which made a HUGE difference—Century Plaza can be a lively spot with traffic, fountains, and birdsong all around and Tyrone made sure everyone could hear every word.
As guests began to trickle in, light background music played while they found their seats and settled in. Once everyone was in place and the ceremony officially began, the vibe shifted. Daniel and Ashton walked down the aisle to “Love” by Musiq Soulchild, setting the tone for what would be a heartfelt and emotional ceremony. Then, escorted by Man and to the tune of “First Time” by Teeks, FahTesha entered.
As soon as Ashton saw her, he began to cry. As FahTesha wiped away his tears when she reached the altar, her own started to fall. It was a ceremony FULL of heart. They officially signed their paperwork ahead of time with Casey Anderson, so that Daniel could perform their ceremony in front of their loved ones. It was short, sweet, and deeply personal. They exited to “Let’s Get Married (Remix)” by Jagged Edge, surrounded by hugs and happy tears. We stayed back for family and friend photos, then wrapped up just in time for the next part of the celebration.
Brunch & Cake at Famous Toastery
Everyone headed over to Famous Toastery for a laidback brunch reception. The staff reserved two long tables in the front corner of the restaurant and service was INCREDIBLE.
Tasha, the real MVP, picked up their cake—a two-tier vanilla creation by Jeneka Johnson, decorated with edible pearls, shimmer, and a gold “A&F” emblem. FahTesha and Ashton cut into their cake and shared a slice as their family clapped and cheered. That energy spread through the restaurant until the entire space was applauding. FahTesha was a little shy about the ordeal, but it made the moment all the more memorable.
We wrapped up just before the July rain rolled in—classic Virginia summer weather.
FahTesha & Ashton’s Love Story
FahTesha and Ashton have one of those “it was always meant to be” love stories. They grew up in the same New Jersey hometown, went to the same schools, and remained close friends through Ashton’s cousin. After graduation, Ashton admitted to having feelings for FahTesha. After two and a half years of long distance, he moved to Roanoke to be with her.
They got engaged in a quiet, heartfelt moment—candles, roses, and their favorite song (“Best Part” by H.E.R. and Daniel Caesar) playing in the background. FahTesha came home from work to find the apartment transformed and, obviously, she said yes!
They chose to keep their Downtown Roanoke wedding small and intentional. In FahTesha’s own words, “Big weddings are a lot and I get overwhelmed easily.” And that sentiment guided every decision they made for the day—simple, personal, and full of love.
Final Thoughts
From the very beginning, FahTesha and Ashton knew they wanted their Downtown Roanoke wedding day to be a reflection of them—intimate, elegant, and joy-filled. From the quiet morning at Hotel Roanoke to the laughter during brunch at Famous Toastery, everything felt intentional and grounded.
I had first met them earlier in the spring during their engagement session, and even then, I could tell how deeply in sync they were. On their wedding day, that ease and connection came through in every part of the experience—from the emotional moments with family to the way they looked at each other during the ceremony.
Getting to photograph their day wasn’t just about documenting beautiful details (though those were definitely present). It was about capturing a relationship rooted in love, thoughtfulness, and a whole lot of joy. I’m so honored that I got to be a part of it.
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.
FahTesha and Ashton’s Downtown Roanoke wedding is the perfect example of how meaningful and fun a nontraditional timeline can be. They leaned into what felt right for them and ended up with a celebration that was every bit as joyful and unique as their love story.
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 some ideas:
- Kaitlin and Rob’s Martinsville, Virginia Elopement
- 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
Are y’all in need of more planning help? I’ve got ya covered! Check out some of my free elopement planning resources below:
