Posts

Ariana + Al’s wedding – Goose Creek Gardens + Pavillion – Ashburn, Virginia

/in /by

It’s hard to predict in any given year how many weddings I’ll photograph and which will be my busiest months. Early spring is not generally the most popular time but this year seems to be the exception. And that fact that Ariana found me less than a month before her wedding was a pleasant surprise in an already busy April. And I was especially pleased to find out that she’d been following my work since I photographed her former co-worker Lindsay Nalevanko’s wedding in 2008. And as any frequent blog reader would know, this the same Lindsay who has referred more Virginia Tech brides to me than I can count! Ariana and Al’s wedding was an great mix of Persian and Midwestern culture and made for a very interesting wedding ceremony. The highlight (at least photographically) was the couple at the Sofreh, the elaborate floor spread of food and symbolic decorations. As they sit under a canopy, women who are happily married take sugar cones and softly grind them together above the bride and bridegroom’s head as one of several assurances of a sweet life together. All was going according to tradition until the canopy drooped lower and lower until Ariana was completely hunched over and laughing. It’s definitely one of my favorite photos of the day. There were a few other mishaps during the ceremony—a mirror and a light knocked over, Dad stepping on Ariana’s train—but the couple took it all in with humor. The groom’s Midwest roots were on display with the reception tables named for Ohio sports heros past and present and a bottle of Cleveland whisky and Great Lakes Beer. There was a delicious Persian buffet, lots of Persian dancing on the dance floor and after cutting the cake the couple was showered with rose petals and they danced. I was warned before the wedding that it would be hard to get Al to smile in photos…being photographed is not one of his favorite things. I’m happy to report that I succeeded more than once although I heard later that his gift to Ariana was that he would smile in photos all day long. He was pretty happy…I don’t think he had to try that hard…

Wedding and reception site Goose Creek Gardens & Pavillion, Ashburn, Virginia 703.801.0801

Caterer Farzaneh Catering, Fairfax, Virginia 703.402.5671

Florist Maryam Flowers, Fairfax, Virginia 703.980.2034

Music Violin Soloist during ceremony and cocktail – Chelle Fiddler, 301.366.5579 and DJ Dariush 240.372.8388

Cake Custom Cakes & Confections, 703.326.9235

Carla + Ed – St. John Neumann Catholic Church + Belmont Country Club wedding – Virginia

/in /by

Carla + Ed were the first of my two Columbus Day weekend weddings. And the weather was finally cooperating. What an amazing day for a wedding!  I made one of my favorite photos of the day 10 minutes after arriving at Carla’s parent’s house in Virginia. Usually I’m the one taking the wrapping off the wedding dress and arranging it somewhere with pretty light. When Carla’s dad climbed up on the bench to hang the dress I just had to laugh—and shoot! Carla + Ed were married at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Reston. I had been there in June and it’s a lovely bright church. It was sweet that Ed was so enthusiastic that he gave Carla a kiss when she arrived at the altar…I’m pretty sure he was supposed to wait until the end of the service! And as it turns out, he was right to get one in early. The service which was performed by 3 (!) priests had a little snafu when they forgot to have the couple present their gifts to the statue of the Virgin Mary. Once that was taken care of, they never told Ed he could kiss the bride—so he didn’t! From the church we headed to Belmont Country Club in Ashburn.  A lovely manor house is attached to a more traditional country club facility so of course, we took all the fun portraits outside the house and with the rolling hills of the golf course as the background. And did I mention how gorgeous the light was. I think my favorite photo of the day is Ed + Carla from behind, full length with the rays of sun shining on them! And the party was tons of fun with awesome DJ Aaron, one of my favs!