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Xiaochu + David’s wedding – City Club of Washington – Washington, DC

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It was bound to happen. After an incredibly beautiful and dry August and September in DC, there was rain forecast for the Saturday of Xiaochu + David’s wedding. The good news was that it was an indoor ceremony and reception so other than dodging a few raindrops during group portraits in Freedom Plaza we made it through the day relatively dry. We started at the Willard Hotel for getting ready and their first look and then headed to their ceremony. I was excited to be at a new venue for me — the City Club of Washington. In the building adjacent to the Warner Theater, it’s an interesting space with an endless atrium. Another cool feature was the industrial looking scaffolding inside the building that glowed green at night. The photos of the two of them by the fountain later in the evening turned out to be some of my favorites. We had planned to go to the Capitol but the torrential rain continued throughout the evening so I think we came up with a pretty good alternative. Another highlight of the day for me was when Xiaochu’s and her mother made their way down the long staircase to meet David on the landing and begin the ceremony.

Getting ready The Willard Hotel 1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW  Washington, D.C

 

Ceremony + Reception The City Club of Washington 555 13th St NW  Washington, D.C. – Cassandra Centers 202.347.0818

Florist Petal’s Edge Alexandria, VA 703.518.8488

Hair  Stephanie Swope 240.672.2478

Makeup Red Door Spa at the Willard Hotel 202.942.2700

DJ Black Tie DJ Andrew Logan

Cake Amphora Bakery

 

 

Chantal + Robert’s wedding – St. Matthew’s Cathedral + Corcoran Gallery of Art – Washington, DC

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Many of my couples’ plan their weddings long distance. It’s possible that Chantal + Robert win the distance award by planning theirs from London. Yet they managed to pull off an elegant Washington wedding with many cultural traditions that reflected where their heritage. The gorgeous sunny September day started at the W Hotel where the bride and groom got ready. We made a quick trip to Freedom Plaza for photos and then off to St. Matthews. I’m on the verge of becoming a regular at the 7 pm Mass (and I’ll be there again next Sept.!) But I was most excited for my first time shooting at the Corcoran and I wasn’t disappointed. What a fabulous reception site. Some of my favorite photos of the day were the bridal party portraits on the grand staircase. I asked for attitude and the photos turned out very fun. The party kicked off with the introductions in a typically African fashion. The guests wave lapas (An African woven cloth signifying happiness) as the couple descended the staircase. The two were mobbed by their friends and family as they made their way onto the dance floor. The lapas are also laid on the ground for them to walk on and for their first dance. Later in the evening they had a Liberian Grand March led by the bride’s father and aunt. It was a little like a promenade/line dance—very regal and joyful.

Event coordinator Diane George Covenant Weddings 240.375.3953

Ceremony St. Matthew’s Cathedral 202.347.3215

Reception Corcoran Gallery of Art Meaghan Olwell 202.639.1788

Caterer + Cake RSVP Catering, Marsha Meltzer, 703-573-8700 Ext. 1242

Florist Tobore Oweh toboreoweh@gmail.com

Hair Kira Carter 267.825.2513

DJ DT Nation, Claude, 301.366.3662

Video Dolce Studio Films 703.300.9033

 

 

Catching up…

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Just a little pre-Labor Day love from two of my fabulous couples. After a very relaxing August I’m happy to post photos from two engagement shoots done over the summer. I had fun hanging with Brenna + Joe in my neck of the woods in Potomac and on the C&O Canal while Christine + Lance and I explored the Capitol grounds on a lovely summer’s evening. Can’t wait for both weddings in October + December. Happy Labor Day and look for Chu + David’s engagement session on the blog next week 🙂

Amanda + Chris’ Logan Circle wedding – Washington, DC

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Amanda and Chris’ intimate wedding at the Aaron Shipman House bed and breakfast in DC had two minor obstacles. An iffy weather forecast and a bride on crutches. The good news was the Amanda was on the mend and could spend sometime on her injured foot without a crutch. Long enough to see her groom and get married! After much consulting of weather maps and on and off again rain, we managed to squeeze in a wonderful first look and the beginning of their ceremony. Their joy in seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day was just so fabulous to document. Seriously, one of my best in recent memory. Once the rain started again we  headed inside to the front room of the B&B to finish up their vows. A lovely champagne toast from Amanda’s father followed and then everyone headed out in the weather to Mio Restaurant. Of course it cleared up and was gorgeous as I was leaving the restaurant and the couple and their families were beginning their wedding evening dinner.

Mary + Logan’s wedding – Marine Barracks, DC + Harry Browne’s, Annapolis, MD

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The summer of small weddings continued with Mary and Logan’s morning ceremony and lunch. The group of immediate family and very close friends gathered in the Commandant’s garden at  the historic home on the Marine Corps 8th & I Barracks. It’s the oldest post in the Corps. There aren’t a lot of weddings held at the Barracks but Logan now works on base after serving protecting the President at the White House. In his full dress uniform he looked so handsome waiting for Mary to come down the aisle with her father. The two of them were so cute during rhe ceremony–their joy so clearly on their faces made for some of the best images of the day. After some portraits around the parade grounds we headed to Annapolis for their lunch reception at Harry Browne’s restaurant. But not before a stop across the street at the State Capitol for some couple photos and a change out of his uniform for Logan. The restaurant’s upstairs room was made into a cozy (and cool) reception space, just perfect for a small crowd, some sweet toasts and a little cake on the forehead for the groom.

Wedding site Marine Barracks of Washington, DC

Reception site  Harry Browne’s restaurant, Annapolis, MD 410.263.4332

Flowers York Flowers, Annapolis, MD 800.651.1448

Mariana + Dan’s wedding – Foundry Methodist Church + Carnegie Institution for Science

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When you get married in downtown DC and make the decision to step outside in your wedding dress, you’re going to draw some attention. People will honk, comment and congratulate you. When you get married on the day of the 38th Annual Capital Pride Parade, along the parade route and have to cross in the middle of the festivities to get to your reception site, it takes that attention to a whole different level. Dan and Mariana couldn’t have been more enthusiastic about being part of the parade. It’s a little shocking that as a native Washingtonian I’ve never seen the parade and let’s just say that there are some very interesting photos that Dan and Mariana have of their wedding day that not many others will! And the guests during cocktail got quite a show from the steps of Carnegie Institution. The couple actually ran back into the parade as the crowd cheered and gathered to have their picture taken with the newlyweds. Other highlights from their day were the ceremony that included the Dan and Mariana leading the congregation in singing “Stand by Me , Dan ringing the church bell (aka pushing a button to make the bell ring…)and their exuberant first dance at Carnegie.

Wedding site Foundry United Methodist Church, 1500 16th Street NW, Washington, DC

Reception site Carnegie Institution for Science, 1530 P Street NW, Washington, DC, Alexis Fleming, 202.939.1139

Caterer Eat & Smile Catering 202.270.1018

Florist Da Vinci’s Florist, 301.588.8900

Hair and makeup Bridal Beauty Associates, (Krystal) 443.413.6218

DJ My Deejay (Mike), 443.267.0166

Cupcakes Georgetown Cupcakes 202.333.8448

Madeleine + Eduardo’s wedding – St. Matthew’s Cathedral + Columbia Country Club

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It was a picture perfect spring day for Madeleine and Eduardo’s wedding day. Seriously, the sky couldn’t have been any bluer. When I arrived at the bride’s mom’s house the place was buzzing with activity—between the 8 bridesmaids and several adorable flower girls and even a few babies. There were a lot of logistics in the day as we went from the getting ready in NW to the first look at Georgetown Visitation where Madeleine is an alum, to St. Matthews Cathedral downtown then back to Columbia Country Club for the reception. Mostly it went off without a hitch but there was the minor detail of the marriage license being left behind.All was sorted out before the ceremony began. The Catholic mass was officiated by two priests in the bride’s family and that made for a lovely personalized service in the magnificent church. After the service we immediately headed to the country club for the reception. Sprinkled throughout the country club as table decorations and centerpieces were hot air balloon replicas. Eduardo asked Madeleine to marry him on a hot air balloon ride! Urban Guerilla Orchestra (love the name) from Philly kept the dance floor packed all night long. And as I’ve found out several times in the last few years—Visi girls like to have fun. And on a side note…I loved the flower girls dresses! That color was just popping. I remember Madeleine’s mom Christine asking me about bright colored dresses for the little girls when we first met and I was completely in  the yes column. And it produced one of my favorite photos of recent memory–the girls goofing around during the group shots. It’s those in between moments that often make the best shots.

 

Wedding ceremony Cathedral of St. Matthews the Apostle 202-347-3215

Reception venue Columbia Country Club Laura Gaige 301.951.5000

Florist Judy Johnson 301.951.5000

Hair and makeup Victoria Berkeley 804.909.1238

Band Urban Guerilla Orchestra 2 215-313-5073 15-313-5073 15-313-5073

Cake Cake Dreams 240.386.8584

Madeleine + Eduardo’s slide show

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Maggie + Roy’s elopement – Washington, DC

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I knew I wanted to photograph Maggie + Roy’s wedding/elopement as soon as we started to talk on the phone. She told me it would just be the two of them, a photographer and an officiant.  I love little weddings. Maybe because I had one myself but it’s hard to beat the intimacy of two people standing up just for themselves, holding hands and  proclaiming their love. And in Maggie’s case, crying a little. I had so much fun walking around with them after the ceremony, just making pretty pictures. And it was a big bonus that their apartment building had such a cool lobby. It was a like a bridal portrait session with the best models ever…two people in love.

 

Spring in DC

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Love springtime engagements! Just a couple recent ones…Madeleine + Eduardo and Mariana + Dan. Both couples have springtime weddings as well. Can’t wait for both!