Weddings provide key insights into the ways in which people in Virginia navigate issues of gender, sexuality, ‘race’ and wealth.

The history of discriminatory marriage laws, and their overturning, are sometimes recognised during contemporary wedding speeches and ceremonies. I was told that in the past, many couples who were denied legally-recognised marriage still had wedding ceremonies, and that it was important to educate young people about these histories.

Some couples in both Lynchburg and Charlottesville were also critical of the expense and luxuriousness of weddings, and made charitable donations instead of providing wedding favours, or asked their guests to donate food or money to charity instead of giving gifts.

For more information and a closer look, please just click on the images in this gallery.