harper and asher get hitched
Updated: Aug 27
may 24, 2026
dear diary,
this day meant more to me than I could ever explain. i mean, how can you explain magic. how can you explain the way it feels to meet the two coolest people you’ve ever met, and watch them get married in the same day. I can tell you that it makes you wanna write the most beautiful song about love ever. It makes you wanna slow dance to an Elvis song with your lover. It makes you wanna spend the evening at a decked out bar in town, smoking cigs with your friends and giggling until the moon rises. It makes you wanna hand paint a gift. In the words of Cameron Winter, “love will make you fit it all in a car.” And that’s what this day makes me think of. The way Asher and harper love would cause you to melt away. I am very privileged to have witnessed a beauty like that for even one day, I can’t imagine until “death do us part”.
so… to describe the day in some detail, and less sappiness, the day started at Triangle Hair studio, in Richmond, Virginia. Harper works there, but today, it was her and her friends in the chairs, getting ready for the day. a salon full of tattoos, shag haircuts, vintage socks and shoes, hair clips, Lana del ray songs, embroidered handkerchiefs, and sunglasses. a fantastic set-up, if you ask me. Harper emerged with her signature eyeliner in a second-hand gown from the 50s.
the room was full of sweetness when her friends saw her in her dress, reality setting in. as a true 50s dolly, she put on her vintage garter, surrounded by teary eyes, and we were off to get her married. the ceremony venue is called Lucky in Love chapel, in RVA. run by the sweetest ladies, Savannah, Tia, and Kasey, Lucky in Love is downtown Richmond’s Vegas-style elopement capital. It is the cutest place I ever did see, and perfect for Asher and Harper. full of red, full of wonder, and full of life. the ceremony was short and sweet and ended with an iconic sendoff. a classic, turquoise getaway-mobile. complete with "just-married" cans. a rainless afternoon, all thanks to an etsy witch with perfect timing.
from the chapel, Harper and Asher made their way to the Jefferson Hotel, a historic location in Richmond, a place once graced by the presence of Elvis Presley. naturally, we recreated some of the iconic photos of him checking into the hotel, as
well as some portraits around the hotel, and in their room. film is magic, dude, and I'll say this forever and ever. my beautiful friend, Jordan, who invited me to come shooting this day, was a film master this day. We both only pulled out our film cameras for photos around the Jefferson, and those are some of my favorite photos i've ever taken, no matter how simple they are. they are just full of sweetness, like an apple pie. or a peanut butter honey sandwich. i'll let those ones speak for themselves.
party time!!!! and it's at Helen's restaurant and bar in Richmond, VA. and it's lit and it's beautiful and it's tender and it's the best thing ever. harper's friends and old coworkers helped to deck the place out. a handmade moon hung from the ceiling alongside foil stars, letting everyone know that only magic would be tolerated. in the back of the colorful bar, a hand-crafted polaroid photo backdrop was set up by Raney, the founder of Ugly Palace polaroids and set design. the coolest lady ever made a beautiful backdrop with lace, doves, and hearts that reads "love me tender"
no other words are needed.
the night went on, speeches endued, the couple shared a slightly-uncomfortable, but endlessly tender first dance that brought many to tears, drinks were shared, papusas were eaten, cigarettes were smoked, and photos were taken. the cake was cut at the end of the night. lit by the neon sign, and a flash, the couple fed each other cake classic-style, and continued to party.
truly, every moment i witnessed was full of love. i saw friends who cared so much for each other that they pulled each other tight for every picture. i think every day should be like a wedding.
a celebration of who we are and the fact we have each other. but that is what makes weddings special. even if not fancy, it's an excuse to celebrate. to care. deeply. and Harper and Asher's intimate day really reflected that. i will never forget it, and i will always keep coming back to richmond for that feeling of love. virginia is for lovers, after all.
thank you for reading, thank you harper and asher and everyone involved in this day, thank you to helen's, thank you to the ladies of Lucky in Love chapel, and thank you to my dear friend Jordan, you Wicked Lady, i love you very very much.
These are good words Connie