Weddings Archives - Page 5 of 19 - Deb Lindsey Photography

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens wedding

November 7, 2016/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is such a beautiful place to have a wedding any time of year. The sunny almost fall Sunday that felt like summer, turned out to be perfect for Alex + Mike’s outdoor ceremony.

They shared their first look along the leaf-strewn path near the Garden’s Atrium and then we wandered the extensive grounds looking for pretty colors and beautiful light for their portraits and wedding party photos. We headed back to the patio for the traditional Jewish ceremony with lots of personal touches. Several friends and family members took part in the ceremony, telling stories about the couple and incorporating their love of books and history and even a poem about how they met.

From there the party really got started with a fun choreographed first dance, a rowdy Hora and lots of Bon Jovi to keep the dance floor packed! Topped off with a cupcake cutting and a bouquet toss, the evening ended with a sweet bubble sendoff.

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meadowlark-gardens-wedding-deb-lindsey-photography_67 Wedding and Reception Meadowlark Botanical Gardens 703-255-3631 x105 Ilka Morris

Caterer Great Blue Heron Catering 703-255-3631 ext. 104

Florist Karin’s Florist 703-592-0952

Hair and makeup Alina Karaman 202-257-2447

Cupcakes Cupcakes Actually 571-522-6315

Mackinac Island Michigan wedding

October 23, 2016/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

Mackinac Island was the first of my two destination weddings this September. I’d heard how beautiful it was but I’m not sure I was totally prepared for the uniqueness of the island and what a great backdrop it would provide for Nicole + Frank’s Labor Day weekend wedding. I arrived a couple days before the wedding day to get the lay of the land and take in all the island had to offer. A bike trip around the perimeter of the island on a spectacularly sunny day helped me get my bearings. There are no motorized vehicles allowed on the island and it’s been that way since 1898. So the choices are biking, walking or horse-drawn carriage. We did all three.

The entire wedding stayed at the reception venue, the Mission Point Resort on the south east end of the island. The whole place was scenic but it was hard to beat the views of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron almost no matter where you looked. We began the day at the spa on the grounds of the resort and after quick first look we took off all over town in a horse-drawn carriage to create bride & groom portraits. A special shout out to my roomie for the weekend (and fabulous 2nd shooter) Molly Riley who recommended me to her friend Nicole + Frank and as a Michigan native helped me navigate all weekend long (including where to find the best fudge!!). Carrying photo equipment and riding next to the driver of a horse drawn carriage is just a little precarious. But totally worth it. Some of my favorite photos from the day were when I had the couple walk down Main Street in their wedding gear. To say they got a reaction from the crowds as we made our way through town is an understatement. We also took full advantage of the majestic views all over the island. The ceremony was held in the Somewhere In Time Gazebo, famous from the movie of the same name that was filmed on the island in 1979 and overlooks the island at points through the trees. Officiated by the bride’s siblings, the ceremony was funny and emotional. Another carriage ride back to the hotel and the party began. The couple’s nautical theme was a perfect fit since they are avid sailors. And they really couldn’t have picked a more perfect location to tie the knot.

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Wedding venue Somewhere In Time Gazebo

Reception Mission Point Resort 906-847-3000

Florist St Ignace Greenhouse 906-643-9480

Hair and makeup Lakeview Salon 906-847-3000

DJ Northern Entertainment Consultants 517-505-2616

Cake Bella e Dolce 231-625-8232

Mandarin Oriental wedding – Washington, DC

September 28, 2016/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

It is not an exaggeration to say that Hiba + Matt’s Mandarin Oriental summer wedding in DC was a nonstop day of emotion, laughs and so many surprises! They were determined to give their guests an event they wouldn’t forget.

The Mandarin Oriental ballroom was transformed beautifully and guests sat at their tables to watch the ceremony unfold on a stage surrounded by flowers. The elegant pops of red were just the right touch. Officiated by family, the ceremony was lighthearted and funny. And then, the party!! The wedding party was escorted back into the ballroom by Lebanese drummers as a nod to the bride’s heritage. Yes, they did the traditional first dance but that was after two of the groomsmen “kidnapped” the bride but were foiled when Matt burst into the ballroom accompanied by the “Mission Impossible” theme. From that point on the dance floor was packed–led by the bride and groom who were terrific dancers. The final surprise came during the cake cutting. Did I mention it was a 7-foot cake by Buttercream Bakeshop?? Cut with a sword. And with confetti cannons firing? Or the bride and groom simultaneously tossing a bouquet and a football with a garter on it? Like I said, non-stop action and so many fun things to photograph.

With so many moving parts it’s critical that an extraordinary planner be the one behind the scenes. Kudos to Sara Bauleke at Belle Notte for making it all happen without a hitch.

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Event coordinator Sara Bauleke – Bella Notte 703-979-5887

Site coordinator Katie Jones – Mandarin Oriental 202-787 6125

Florist Jill Medawar – Toulies En Fleur – 703-868-5939

Hair Michael Awad from Toka Salon 202-333-5133

Makeup Nour Kazoun – info@nourkazoun.com

DJ NYX Entertainment – DJ Howie – 301-984-0500

Cake Buttercream Bakeshop – 202 -735-0102

Videographer Suburban Video – Chris Lucarelli 301-315-6300

Gaylord National Harbor wedding – Maryland

August 8, 2016/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

For Rebecca + David’s July wedding at the Gaylord National Harbor, it didn’t matter how hot it was outside. And it was hot–a long string of 90+ degree days had everyone wilting. Inside the hotel with a huge open atrium, massive skylights and white marble floors there was no shortage of window light! It’s always fun for me to be at a new venue and to be on the lookout for any visually interesting possibilities. R+D are so cute together and seemed pretty happy roam the inside of the hotel looking for fun photos. And as much fun as their portraits were, to me the best part of the day were the little moments in between. Like during their quiet time in the bridal suite before the ceremony (cocktails were before–I love that idea!). Their ceremony was held in an open upper lobby as the sun was setting and they were danced back up the aisle by the groomsmen and friends of the couple as they made their way to their yehud. The Jewish ceremony was followed immediate by the reception which incorporated some of Rebecca’s Persian heritage including dancing and a gorgeous table of sweets on display in the ballroom. Another highlight from the reception including the couple’s entrance into the room under a canopy provided by the wedding party, was the groomsmen’s surprise song for David and sung to Rebecca! It was such a sweet moment in a day filled with them.

Wedding + Reception site Gaylord National Hotel, 201 Waterfront St., National Harbor, MD, site coordinator Laura Fosler 301-965-3766

Caterer Gaylord National

Florist Jill Medawar, Toulies en Fleur, 703-868-5939

Hair Goli Bridal

DJ Vahid Tabatabaei

Cake Shalom Caterers

Army Navy Country Club wedding – Arlington, VA

July 28, 2016/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

When I first met Alicia + Chris to talk about their Army Navy Country Club wedding in July, it was the beginning of a snow storm in January. We met again at the beginning of a very hot streak of summer on their wedding day. A few minor adjustments into shady spots and the couple were complete troopers braving the heat and a bumpy golf cart ride to make beautiful photos. Their day was filled with sparkle and sophistication and that dress!! The back was just stunning. Their ceremony took place on the rooftop patio overlooking the Washington Monument and thankfully the sun was low enough behind the club to keep the guests cool. One special relationship that I kept my eye on throughout the day was the bride and her dad. From the look on his face when he walked her down the aisle to their spirited father-daughter dance at the reception, it’s clear they have a special bond and that he couldn’t be prouder of his girl. We also managed to pop out on the balcony just after sunset for some portraits against the gorgeous sky. I am always thrilled when I get a good sunset and a couple willing to sneak away from their party for a few minutes. This one, like their whole day, did not disappoint.

Wedding + Reception http://www.ancc.org/ Rebecca Pipkins 703-521-6800

Flowers Twinbrook Floral 703-323-5991

Hair + Makeup Amanda Jones

DJ Mike Blaufeld

Cake M&C Bakery 703-298-6597

Videography Adora Films

Meridian House wedding – Washington, DC

June 21, 2016/1 Comment/in Same Sex weddings, Weddings /by lindseydeb

Things I love: a gorgeous sunny day, a dapper pair of grooms, a return to Meridian House, and emotional wedding ceremony and a well run event. Boy, did I hit the jackpot with Chris + Scott’s wedding! I knew when I first met the couple in the Nordstrom Cafe at Montgomery Mall many months ago that were were going to get along beautifully. And I was thrilled to be working with Kay at Howerton + Wooten Events again. She makes it all run so smoothly which makes my life easy. On any wedding day, I never know exactly where my favorite photos will come from. I always work hard to get the portraits beautiful and the reception always has a life of it’s own. But the ceremony is often a wild card. Some are emotional, some are traditional and classic. But when couples recite their own vows it’s such a window into their relationship and I just love that. Listen to Chris reading from his teenage diary and watching Scott’s tears flow, I was getting teary. The ceremony in the round in the garden was just the right touch. There’s something so special about being literally surrounded by those you love. Their reception in chic blue and yellow with farm tables for the head table and Metro sign centerpieces was really lovely. And the hanging Edison lights in the garden? I may have been a little obsessed with them (full disclaimer: I just installed a light fixture with them in my house so they are a favorite!). It was a gorgeous night ending with a sparklers surrounded two very happy grooms.

Wedding + Reception site Meridian House Maria Canellis 202-939-5592

Planner Howerton+Wooten Events Kawania (Kay) Wooten 202-706-7953

Cake Fancy Cakes by Leslie: Leslie Poyourow 301-652-9390

Caterer Main Event Caterers 703-820-2028

DJ D-Mac & Associates Rhome Anderson 301-437-1969

Flowers MyFlowerBoxEvents KimberlyTyson 410-878-0373

Farm Tables AmpavEvents 202-774-7706

Lighting Event Dynamics 410-683-8018

Georgetown Elopement – Washington, DC

June 8, 2016/in Elopement, Weddings /by lindseydeb

How adorable were these two? It’s been awhile since I’ve done an elopement that was this much fun. It was a perfect storm of a couple in love willing to let me do my thing, gorgeous light and a couple of hours to play in Georgetown. Brandi and Mike planned well ahead and scheduled their wedding on a Monday in early May. In a month of really rainy days we lucked into a few hour window of brilliant sun before the return of torrential downpours. The couple left it up to me to find them a spot for the ceremony and a quick scouting of the area brought us to the canal. Their ceremony was filled with tears and laughs and a small audience who respectfully kept their distance. They wrote the own vows and the were just so joyful when it was pronounced that they were officially married. From there we just roamed Georgetown, chasing the wonderful light on the canal, at the Old Stone House on M St. walking the intersection of Wisconsin and M and finally we arrived back at the Rosewood Hotel (formerly the Capella) where they were nice enough to let us use their rooftop pool deck for some fun city overviews (OK, mostly industrial looking rooftops but still cool!). Then they were off to sail the Greek Isles for a few weeks as a honeymoon. Sounds heavenly.

Congressional Country Club wedding – Bethesda, Maryland

May 31, 2016/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

It’s always a good spring when I get to photograph a wedding at Congressional Country Club! It’s such a gorgeous venue and just a few minutes from home. April 30th was a little cooler than usual — although this spring has hardly been the usual in DC and at least it wasn’t raining!! It was also one of the most popular dates of the season this year. Kate started the day surrounded by her girls and her family at her parent’s house in Potomac and the weather cooperated enough for us to take advantage of their lovely backyard and the blooming pink dogwoods. The boys gathered at Congressional Country Club then headed to The Chapel at Our Lady of Lourdes on the campus of Georgetown Prep where Justin attended school. After years of my kids swimming at the Prep pool, this was my first time shooting a wedding in their chapel. I just loved the ironwork on the doors and some of my favorite photos of the day were framed by those doors (see above). One of the highlights of the ceremony was the look on Justin’s face as he caught a glimpse of his bride for the first time. After the ceremony we headed to the club to take some portraits around the clubhouse and on the 18^th green with the clubhouse in the background. Kate surprised her groom with a wedding cake decorated with sailboats and together they wowed their guests with their first dance (dips and all!). And you know it’s a serious party when the groom breaks out the Budweiser jacket midway through the reception. After many weddings at Congressional I’m not sure I’ve ever shot a bouquet toss there and this one looked really cool from above. I’d love to say I took the photo but it’s a real reason why I have such talented second shooters with me–to get every angle.

Wedding The Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes at Georgetown Prep 10900 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD

Reception Congressional Country Club, 8500 River Rd. Bethesda, MD, Marlene Gusella, site coordinator 301.469.2000

Event coordinator Jean Thomae 781.635.5530

Caterer & Cake Congressional Country Club

Florist Kelly Shore Petals by the Shore 240.389.5722

Hair Victoria Elizabeth Designs

Makeup Kathy at Blend Makeup Artistry

Band The Bachelor Boys Band 443.822.5323

Patapsco Valley State Park wedding – Ellicott City, Maryland

May 22, 2016/4 Comments/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

It’s pretty obvious I was a little obsessed with a few things at Sarah + Brenden’s wedding. Where to start? Her dress (amazing and perfect for the setting), her edible bouquet, the couple’s dog Ollie (a perfectly behaved gentleman the whole day long) the flower girl and her brother the ring bearer (adorable). And of course, the car. The 1946 Ford truck was restored by the groom and his father in law and originally belonged to the groom’s grandfather. In addition to being mechanically inclined, Brenden and his mother made the luncheon napkins from scraps of quilting material in addition to making the bow ties his brothers wore. This was my first time at Patapsco Valley State Park and the spot they chose for the wedding was gorgeous, overlooking the river. With a rainy start to the day it was a little touch and go as to whether we’d be able to take advantage of the vantage point. By show time, the clouds were parting and it was a quick but lovely ceremony followed by a vegetarian luncheon. It was a small wedding but one filled with personal touches that made it such a pleasure to photograph.

Wedding + Reception site: Patapsco Valley State Park, Ellicott City, Maryland

Caterer Zia’s 410.296.0799

Florist Local Color Flowers 410.262.1494

Hair and makeup NYNY Salon 301.695.7777

Fairmont Washington wedding – Washington, DC

May 15, 2016/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

Becky + Harry were on the hunt for cherry blossoms on their wedding day. Unfortunately due to crazier than usual Washington weather, they’d bloomed and gone so the search was on for a suitable spring-like background for photos. After and first look in the beautiful courtyard of the Fairmont, we headed down to Upper Senate Park where tulips and the hind of the next round of pink blossoms were in the trees. It was such fun hanging with the two of them and their bridal party. And as much as I loved making the portraits at the Capitol it is really the moments from their day that were my favorite photos. The way Harry held Becky tight as they were under the chuppah. The visible relief on their faces when the ceremony was over as they made their way up the aisle. Even the sweet moments right after when they put their rings on their proper fingers. After a rollicking hora the party really got started and felt almost like a great concert. The band Marquise, had everyone dancing around the bandstand and even got the bride and groom up to sing along. The day ran perfectly thanks in large part to Margo Fisher at Bright Occasions who made sure everyone and everything was where it needed to be!