Congressional Country Club Archives - Deb Lindsey Photography

Favorite wedding photographs of 2016 Part One

In my many years as a wedding photographer, one thing I have not done is a year end round up of my favorite wedding photographs. It’s a new year so I thought I’d start it off right but trying something new!

I decided to make the task even harder by limiting each wedding (that was allowed to appear online) to five images. These are often my favorites or ones that I may have overlooked in previous blog posts. As hard as it is to narrow down each wonderful day into so few images, it was great fun to look back over the past year and the great couples I had the pleasure to work with.

Here are the full blog posts from each of the weddings below but enjoy the five images I’ve chosen from each! And stay tuned later in the week for part two from the second half of 2016.

Meredith + Lindsay at the Park Hyatt in Washington, DC

Park Hyatt Wedding Deb Lindsey

Becky + Harry at The Fairmont Washington DC

Fairmont DC Wedding Deb Lindsey

Brenden + Sarah at Patapsco Valley State Park in Ellicott City, Maryland

Patapsco Valley State Park wedding Deb Lindsey Kate + Justin at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland

Congressional Country Club wedding Deb Lindsey Brandi + Mike’s Georgetown DC elopement

Georgetown DC elopement Deb Lindsey Scott + Chris at Meridian House Washington, DC

Meridian House wedding Deb Lindsey Alicia + Chris at Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA

Army Navy Country Club wedding Deb Lindsey

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

Sarah + Nate – Congressional Country Club wedding

May 6, 2014/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

Early spring weddings in this area can be a little hit and miss. And this year it felt like spring would never come. But Sarah + Nate’s early spring wedding day was a definite hit. Temperatures in the 60s and the gorgeous backdrop of Congressional Country Club made for a fabulous day. Their patio ceremony began with a violin processional by one of their bridal party and their ceremony was performed by the judge they had both clerked for. They were married under a clear blue sky. A sunset cocktail hour followed by a jam packed dance floor. It was a pleasure to work with so many of my favorite wedding pros (see the list below) and finally, a special shout out goes to Jackie and Claire who became my go to gals throughout the day.

Wedding and reception venue Congressional Country Club, Marlene Gusella 301.469.2027

Hair Hair by Giselle

Makeup Nikki Fraser Beauty ‘n The Bride

Florist Petal’s Edge 703.518.8488

Band Sound Nation 301.869.8855

Brenna + Joe’s wedding – St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church + Congressional Country Club

December 20, 2013/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

Brenna and Joe were not my last wedding of 2013 but they will be my last blog post as I prepare to shoot my last wedding of the year tomorrow. 2013 has been a wonderful year of weddings and Brenna + Joe’s day was a truly a highlight. Their wedding felt like a real homecoming for me. With three of my former brides (Maura. Natalie and Dara) in attendance it was so amazing to know so many people and to catch up with everyone. A gorgeous (but chilly) October day during peak fall foliage at Congressional Country Club made it an unforgettable day. Some of my favorites photos: portraits in a windy leaf storm, found light in the basement of the church for a portrait of Brenna against a stained glass window, and tears during the Matron of Honor speech by Bethany. There were so many great moments and it was such a beautiful day. And to all, Happy Holidays and see you in 2014!

Wedding St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church 202.336.7200

Reception Congressional Country Club Site coordinator Marlene Gusella 301.469.2000

Florist Karen Kallmyer 240.535.4312

Hair and makeup Paabo 301.654.5538

Band High Society Jan Davis 703.461.7253

Kelly + Andrew’s wedding – Congressional Country Club – May 27, 2012

June 14, 2012/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

Memorial Day weekend wedding #2—Kelly and Andrew get married at Congressional Country Club. It’s one of my favorite places to shoot—and not just because it’s minutes from my house (although that doesn’t hurt!). It was another warm but beautiful sunny day and I’ll take that over rain any day. Especially if it’s an outdoor wedding and a venue that has lovely grounds. Kelly was well assisted in getting ready by bridesmaids (2 of which were her sisters) and there were a few smiles but a little air of nervousness. Not terribly unusual on a wedding day. The first real smile I saw from Kelly was when she finally got to see Andrew. They are a great argument for having a first look. I’m not sure she could have held out until the ceremony started. Once they saw each other, they were both all smiles. It was a bit of a sun-soaked ceremony on the back patio of the country club—a blue sky without a cloud in sight. After the ceremony they were anxious to join friends and family for cocktails but we did manage to squeeze in some of my favorite shots from the day of the two of them in one Adirondack chair on the putting green. The décor was romantic with wrought iron candelabras and very pretty small arrangements of flowers on the tables. I particularly loved the mint used in some of the vases and used that to shoot one of my ring shots. The couple had a big hit with their choreographed first dance and another highlight of the night was a performance by medical school friends of Andrews who have a band that plays gigs around NYC. It’s not everyday you see a group of surgeons jamming. And they were really good!