One of the things I love about the Chantilly National Golf and Country Club as a wedding venue, aside from the epic and expansive golf course scenery, is that you can have your whole wedding day there. Yep, the venue has space for both your wedding ceremony and wedding reception! I’ve found this leads to a more relaxed wedding day, which as a documentary photographer, enables me to capture more authentic, fun moments of you and your loved ones.
This wedding venue also has an incredibly professional staff including amazing on-site event coordinators to help the day run smoothly. That’s a huge perk and not something you find at every venue. Not too shabby!
Wedding Photography
Hey! I’m Jason! I’m a professional wedding photographer based in Northern Virginia and I’m passionate about serving fun-loving couples with documentary wedding photography. I particularly enjoy working at wedding venues close to home and throughout the Loudoun County area.
My mission in photography is to create meaningful images. A meaningful image to me is one that documents a special moment in time while capturing authentic emotion. I believe weddings are an experience filled with countless meaningful moments and thus, should stay far away from becoming a photoshoot. For this reason, I use a photojournalistic approach to capture the natural epic and emotional moments throughout the day.
Weddings are awesome because they are passion-filled from beginning to end. The authenticity in the air excites me and it’s so much fun to document the special moments and help couples relive their special day. The final gallery is a visual heirloom that lasts forever and I’m grateful for the trust couples place in me to immortalize such a special time.
Wedding Prep
Chantilly National Golf and Country Club has plenty of space for wedding preparations. At this wedding, the bride got ready with the girls in the bridal suite. This space is perfect for completing those final pre-ceremony finishing touches (makeup, dress, hair, etc.). While there’s no natural light in the designated bridal suite, there’s a large window located just outside of the bridal prep room which is perfect for quick bridal portraits. The patio directly outside the window overlooks the Chantilly National Golf and Country Club and has ridiculous potential for unique wedding images.
The groom and his groomsmen got ready downstairs. The room has mirrors scattered throughout which makes getting ready that much easier. Since the bride and groom are finishing their prep in the same location and within walking distance from one another, I was easily able to photograph both of them by myself as a solo wedding photographer.
Pro Tip: If you both get ready at the venue, you won’t need a 2nd photographer.
First Look and First Touch
There’s a really good variety of different locations in this wedding venue to choose from for your first look or first touch. For this wedding, the wedding coordinator mentioned the patio upstairs which overlooks the golf and country club wedding is a popular choice. I loved the suggestion but wanted to try something a little different.
At this wedding, the couple chose a first touch rather than a first look. I suggested doing it outside since in my initial location scouting I had seen a spot to the far left of the building that was shaded and thus provided soft, even lighting. The couple was up for it and luckily we were able to time it just right so the guests didn’t see the bride before the wedding ceremony. It all worked out perfectly!
Wedding Ceremony
The country club has multiple options available for your wedding ceremony. On this wedding day, my couple choose to exchange their vows outdoors surrounded by amazing views. This wedding took place in the middle of March so it was a little cold and windy, nonetheless, we were able to get some fun candid photos throughout the day!
This wedding venue also has the option of taking a golf cart further out into the golf course fields for couples’ portraits after the wedding ceremony. My couple opted out of the golf cart ride on this day because of the weather and to spend more time with their loved ones.
Wedding Party and Family Formal Portraits
Immediately following the ceremony, the guests were asked to go upstairs near the patio for cocktail hour. The country club employees did a great job making sure the wedding day runs smoothly for guests and vendors alike while also creating a personalized experience.
While the guests were at cocktail hour, I was with the couple knocking out family formal portraits, wedding party portraits, and couples portraits. This is the only part of the day where I take a more ‘photoshoot’ style approach as we go through a list of photo pairings provided by the couple. Family portraits are an essential part of the wedding day, though one that can take longer than necessary if not managed properly. This is why I help my couples create an efficient family formal list that can be completed within 20-30 minutes. I help my couples wherever I can both before their wedding day and on the day of!
Wedding Reception
The reception is where the party begins and is my favorite part of any wedding day. The country club services wedding events of up to 200 people which is very accommodating. My couple had around 100 guests on their wedding day and everyone showed up ready to have a good time.
The bride and groom shared their first dance on the cherry wood dance floor in the recently renovated ballroom. The guests were emotional and my couple savored the moment with a beautiful slow dance.
Fun Fact: The clubhouse has low white ceilings which are every photographer’s dream. This environment is great for simple flash setups that produce flattering light. I absolutely love reception rooms with low white ceilings!
The night carried on with fun and emotional speeches, lots of laughter, and tons of joy among the wedding party members and guests. All the makings for fun candid shots! The entire room was filled with happiness.
You’ll also be happy to know that the country club offers complimentary cake-cutting services. How much more awesome could this wedding venue get?
We completed the night with a sparkler exit sendoff. The mild breeze made it difficult to keep the sparklers on for long, but we managed to pull it off!
Location Address
Chantilly National Golf and Country Club, 14901 Braddock Rd, Centreville, VA 20120
Country Club Wedding Photos
If you’re looking for a photographer who values authenticity, emotion, and storytelling, I’d be beyond honored to join you on your journey.
Let’s connect, have a friendly chat, and make your wedding an unforgettable experience.
You can see more of my work on my portfolio page or contact me directly using the button below. I can’t wait to hear from you!