Post wedding photos at Little Stony Man Summit are an excellent way to fully be present on your wedding day and still get some epic bride and groom portraits. Some couples follow the traditional timeline, while others choose to shake things up—and honestly, those are usually my favorite stories to tell.
Phillip and Reanna are a perfect example of how you don’t have to do things the “normal” way in order to still end up with meaningful, stunning photos.
Instead of scheduling a traditional engagement session, they chose something a little different: a post-wedding session at Little Stony Man Summit in Shenandoah National Park. In the end, it was absolutely worth it.
Why Phillip + Reanna Skipped Engagement Photos (And Why It Made Sense)
Phillip had already planned an incredibly thoughtful proposal, and because they already had photos from that moment that they absolutely loved, they didn’t feel the need to schedule a traditional engagement session—even though engagement photos are included in most of my wedding packages.
Rather than forcing a session they didn’t need, they asked a better question:
“How can we still get epic photos that really feel like us?”
That’s where the idea of a post-wedding session came in.
What Is a Post-Wedding Session (and Why Couples Love Them)?
A post-wedding session is exactly what it sounds like—bride and groom portraits taken after the wedding day. There’s no timeline stress, no guests waiting, and no pressure to rush.
For Phillip and Reanna, this option was the perfect compromise. They chose to get married locally with a simpler, meaningful celebration, but they still wanted epic mountain views and dramatic scenery. At the same time, they wanted photos in their actual wedding attire, without sacrificing the experience.
As a result, doing their session a month later gave them:
- A relaxed, low-pressure environment
- Time to genuinely enjoy the experience
- Freedom to explore without a strict timeline
- And images that feel adventurous and timeless
An Excuse to Get Dressed Up Again (Yes, Please)
One of my favorite parts about post-wedding sessions is the opportunity to relive the magic—without the nerves of the wedding day.
Reanna slipped back into her dress, Phillip put the suit back on, and instead of rushing through portraits between events, we were able to take our time soaking in the views at Little Stony Man Summit.
No schedules.
No distractions.
Just the two of them and one of the most iconic overlooks in Shenandoah.
A Lower-Pressure Way to Get Epic Bride + Groom Photos
Wedding days move fast, and even with great planning in place, portrait time can still feel quick compared to everything else happening.
Because of this, post-wedding sessions allow couples to:
- Be fully present
- Focus solely on each other
- Explore locations that wouldn’t make sense on a wedding day
- And create images that feel intentional rather than rushed
Phillip and Reanna’s session felt more like an adventure than a checklist, and that relaxed energy shows in every image.
Are Post Wedding Photos Right for You?
If any of these sound like you, the answer might be yes:
- You already have proposal or engagement photos you love
- You’re planning a simpler or more local wedding
- You still want epic, scenic portraits in wedding attire
- You like the idea of a relaxed, experience-focused photo session
- You want flexible options instead of a cookie-cutter timeline
There’s no one “right” way to do your wedding photography experience. More often than not, the best results come from choosing what actually fits you.
Final Thoughts
Phillip and Reanna’s post-wedding session at Little Stony Man Summit is proof that you can shake things up and still end up with photos that feel meaningful, elevated, and beautiful.
Sometimes, the best memories happen when you give yourself permission to do things differently.
Planning a Shenandoah Engagement, Elopement, or Post-Wedding Session?
If you’re dreaming of mountain views, intentional moments, and an experience that feels relaxed and fun, I’d love to help you plan something that fits your story.
👉 Inquire here to start dreaming it up.
Xoxo,
Victoria V
Need more inspiration? Explore more Shenandoah sessions to discover scenic locations and gather even more inspiration for your own experience.
