SPRING WEDDING AT THE BARNS OF KANAK IN VIRGINIA | KATHLEEN & JC

Barn Wedding Venue in Virginia – The Barns of Kanak

– Prince George, VA –

Congratulations to the Hailes!

On Saturday, May 17th, 2025, Kathleen and JC got married at The Barns of Kanak in Prince George, Virginia. Following an indoor barn wedding ceremony, they had a gorgeous reception celebration inside the main barn, surrounded by friends and family.

I first had the opportunity to photograph Kathleen and JC during a couples session she booked shortly before they were engaged. Working with these two has been an absolute blast! They made the most of their couples session and complimentary engagement photos, capturing memories and having a great time in the process. Getting to know them better before their wedding was such a joy, and really helped them feel relaxed and at ease when the big day finally arrived.

While describing their wedding, Kathleen shared that they were going for a “coastal grandmother” vibe for their wedding day, and let me tell you, they nailed it! The blues, whites, and those golden accents really brought it to life. They chose The Barns of Kanak in Virginia as their venue, which is perfect since being on a farm is meaningful to them. In fact, their family farm is where we took their first photos! One of my favorite details from the day was the use of oysters. This was a special touch because JC’s family are fishermen and run their own oyster business.

On their wedding day in May, the bride and groom decided to get ready in their own separate suites on the property. Before the ceremony, they chose to come together and share a special ‘first touch’ moment. Similar to a first look, but without actually seeing each other. They held hands and read their personal vows, still saving the big reveal for when Kathleen walked down the aisle.

The ceremony took place in an indoor barn right next to the reception area, and it was such a beautiful part of the day. With chandelier lights and the floral and oyster arrangements, it created a rustic, elegant setting. One of my many favorite parts of the ceremony was watching Kathleen’s parents as they looked at her and JC, their eyes filled with love and support for their daughter and new son. Seeing the joy and pride they felt, and knowing how much dedication they’ve put in creating Kathleen’s dream day, really made the day even more special.

The reception was such an exciting part of the evening, full of laughter from the speeches, music by On Tour DJ Services, and hitting the dance floor with their friends. Kathleen and JC shared their first dance as a married to the song ‘I’m Gonna Love You” by Cody Johnson. Instead of the traditional bouquet toss, Kathleen decided to honor her mom by giving her the bouquet, which was a beautiful moment that left everyone with tears in their eyes. As the sun started setting behind the trees of The Barns of Kanak, we took advantage of the last golden light to sneak away from the reception for some amazing portraits in the farm fields. We also had fun taking flash portraits near the grain silos, adding a unique twist to their wedding memories. (We even took similar photos during their engagement session at the silos on their farm, so a real full circle moment!)

The day was filled with so much love, cake-smashing fun, and unforgettable times with their closest people.

To Kathleen and JC,

I am incredibly grateful to have been invited into your lives to document such a significant milestone as your wedding day. It’s truly been an honor to get to know you both and experience the joy of the Hailes! I’m excited to see what the future holds for you and send all my love and support your way. Thank you once again, and a big CONGRATULATIONS!

Check out some of the gallery below:

Maryland & Virginia Wedding Photographer

Hey, I’m Karlie! A Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer based in Norfolk, Virginia – and originally from Kent Island, MD. I travel all around the East Coast for weddings, and would love to travel to you! Are you getting married in Virginia, Maryland, or any other surrounding east coast states and in search of a photographer? You found the right place! Each of my wedding packages include a complimentary engagement session! Reach out to me here!

Photos by: Karlie Whitt Photography

I absolutely adore the tradition at The Barns of Kanak, where all the couples who have been married there write their names on a lock and add it to the wall!