Hospitality businesses are the heart and soul of every community. And at The Lesner Inn, hospitality is part of our identity – particularly in a destination city like Virginia Beach. But over the course of the last 2 years, our city and nation have faced an unprecedented situation with the coronavirus pandemic. Cities across the nation have banned large gatherings, asking Americans to follow proper social distancing guidelines. Unsurprisingly, this has devastated an industry that relies on large gatherings for wedding celebrations.

In a year that was projected to be our busiest and most successful year yet, our small family-run business, The Lesner Inn, lost over 75% of business in 2020 to couples canceling or postponing their big day. But we were not the only small business struggling to make ends meet. The wedding industry as a whole has suffered tremendously from the pandemic and continues to suffer. Many who work in this industry, such as venues, caterers, photographers, bands/DJs, etc., have loss a significant amount in income.

But in these difficult times, we remember it is always darkest before the dawn. And while navigating through these moments of darkness, we [vendors in the wedding industry] emerged stronger and more united.

Every cloud has a silver lining.

Amidst wedding reschedules and mass gathering restrictions, we worked closely with wedding vendors to recreate clients’ wedding visions into the most intimate and beautiful celebrations of true love. Yet we still had more free time than we were accustomed to during peak wedding season.
A season for every bride.

Thus came a styled shoot unlike any other. After months of designing each season and coordinating vendors schedules, a week of setting up, 48 hours of shooting, and 6 months of editing, we’re beyond excited to share our hard work.

Instead of a standard shoot highlighting the “model” bride, we wanted to take the opportunity to send a positive message to our followers, recently engaged couples and our community in general.

Darling, you’re a work of art.

It does not matter what the scale reads. What the color of your skin is. How tall or how short you are. If you have acne or cellulite.

You have the ability to fully display beauty apart from vanity.

We know the magic that comes from a wedding. We watch our clients live their own fairytale – starring as their own prince or princess. So, we wanted to share a wedding story through an unfiltered lens. A lens that focuses on how beautiful the promise to love each other for the rest of your lives really is.
We’re so grateful for the opportunity to work with amazing vendors from our hometown & we’re so happy with how well this shoot turned out. We hope you enjoy this as much as we do! Keep an eye out for more pictures on our social media & more blogs highlighting each season.

Styled Shoot: A season for every bride
Date of shoot: May 2021
Venue: Lesner Inn
3319 Shore Drive, VA Beach 23451

VENDORS:

SPRING:

Venue: Lesner Inn

Photographer: Cat DeLine with DeLine Photography

Videographer: Ryan Noble with Noble Vue Media

Bridal Gown: Studio I Do

Linens: Waterford Event Rentals

Flowers: Song Bird Florals

Dessert: Maddie’s Sweet Treats

Dessert Decor & Beaded Bracelets: Hanging Around

Tabletop items: The Collection by Courtney Inghram

Event Rentals: Big Top Entertainment

Event rentals & set up: Stage Right Lighting

Spring Bride: Sarah Canon

Ring: Finks Jewelers

Traveler Bride: Paula Phounsavath

SUMMER:

Venue: Lesner Inn

Photographer: Cat DeLine with DeLine Photography

Videographer: Ryan Noble with Noble Vue Media

Bridal Gown: Studio I Do

Linens: Waterford Event Rentals

Flowers: The Wandering Petal

Dessert: Kristina Sideri Kakes

Dessert Decor & Beaded Bracelets: Hanging Around

Tabletop items: The Collection by Courtney Inghram

Event Rentals: Paisley & Jade

Event rentals & set up: Stage Right Lighting

Custom Stationary: Paper Dolls

Summer Bride: Dekeya Claiborne-White

Ring: Finks Jewelers

FALL:

Venue: Lesner Inn

Photographer: Cat DeLine with DeLine Photography

Videographer: Ryan Noble with Noble Vue Media

Bridal Gown: Studio I Do

Linens: Waterford Event Rentals

Flowers: Song Bird Florals

Dessert: Kristina Sideri Kakes

Dessert Decor & Beaded Bracelets: Hanging Around

Tabletop items: The Collection by Courtney Inghram

Tabletop Items: Big Top Entertainment

Event Rentals (lounge furniture): Paisley & Jade

Event Rentals & set up: Big Top Entertainment

Event Rentals (Lighting): Stage Right Lighting  

Custom Stationary: Paper Dolls

Summer Bride: Caitlyn Verastek

Ring: Finks Jewelers

WINTER:

Venue: Lesner Inn

Photographer: Cat DeLine with DeLine Photography

Videographer: Ryan Noble with Noble Vue Media

Bridal Gown: Studio I Do

Linens: Waterford Event Rentals

Flowers: The Wandering Petal

Dessert: Kristina Sideri Kakes

Dessert Decor & Floral Resin Decor: Hanging Around

Chargers: Waterford Event Rentals

Tabletop items: The Collection by Courtney Inghram

Event Rentals & set up: Big Top Entertainment

Event Rentals (Lighting): Stage Right Lighting  

Summer Bride: Lexi Swatt

Ring: Finks Jewelers

Music: Justin Stanley Violin

Spray Tans: Island Toned

Hair: Mermaid Luxe Studio LLC

Make Up: Blush Tones