Just a reminder that if you want to see my most recent work (and even some behind the scenes photos/video of my photo life) come follow me on on Instagram. I update daily with all sorts of fun images and I’m @deblindsey. Can’t wait to see you there!!
Welcome back to L+N’s gorgeous summer Woodend Sanctuary wedding! The couple included lots of fun details into their day and one of the biggest hits was champagne pong! I’d never seen it before and after almost 20 years of photographing weddings I am always on the lookout for something new. The monogramed balls made for a sweet ring photo and the farm table with the game kept guests busy throughout cocktails. The weather held for cocktail hour (see the downpour photos from part one) and by the time the party got started everyone was under the tent for dinner or tearing up the dance floor inside the historic house. After dinner the guests were led into the house for a video produced by the maid of honor that featured a slew of celebrities wishing the happy couple congratulations on their big day. It was impressive and hilarious and had the crowd roaring. Their first dance together was sweet and full of turns and dips which showed off L’s glorious dress (a two piece which was stunning) including the 6 inch hem of mud from earlier in the day. Some highlights for me from the reception were the family dancing together right after the first dances and the bouquet toss which totally put the winner’s significant other on notice. It was truly a fabulous day for a terrific couple. I couldn’t have been more pleased to be there to document the day for them!
Wedding + Reception site Woodend Sanctuary 8940 Jones Mill Rd, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Event coordinator Chrishaun Jones for Elegance + Simplicity
Site coordinator Beatriz Engel 301-652-9188
Caterer + Cake Design Cuisine 703-979-9400
Florist Elegance and Simplicity Katie Martin 301-922-3375
Hair Giselle 240.997.5241 and Makeup Carola Myers 571-214-5558
Band The Bachelor Boys Band – Adam Hopkins 517-775-2815
Over a year in the planning, I knew L+N’s Woodend Sanctuary wedding was going to be something special. With the help of Chrishaun at Elegance + Simplicity, there were no details left to chance. Except for one. The weather. Woodend is absolutely gorgeous anytime of year and in early June it is lush and green. The couple planned their day with lots of pink that completely popped against the stunning foliage. Unfortunately this year, June weekend were synonymous with rain. They day dawned hot and steamy and was sunny almost until game time. Then the skies opened up. It was a heavy downpour but short enough to still make it work for the outdoor ceremony they had their heart set on. The best part was that even though there was a little bump in their day, it didn’t stop them or their guests from having fun and celebrating this truly wonderful couple. Chairs were dried off, pathways were swept and the bride happily walked down the aisle on the arm of her brother to marry her guy. Stay tuned for part two of their wedding post with champagne pong (yay!), an epic entrance and beautiful first dance.
Wedding + Reception site Woodend Sanctuary 8940 Jones Mill Rd, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Event coordinator Chrishaun Jones for Elegance + Simplicity
Site coordinator Beatriz Engel 301-652-9188
Caterer + Cake Design Cuisine 703-979-9400
Florist Elegance and Simplicity Katie Martin 301-922-3375
Hair Giselle 240.997.5241 and Makeup Carola Myers 571-214-5558
Band The Bachelor Boys Band – Adam Hopkins 517-775-2815
Welcome to part two of Joe + Carl’s District Winery wedding!
It was such a gorgeous sky seen from the patio of the venue overlooking the Anacostia River and the Capitol Riverfront which of course means time to pull out the couple for a quick portrait. After cocktails the guests sat at long tables decorated with greenery from the grooms’ garden and the family style meal began. The toasts were heartfelt from both family and friends who spoke about how special these two men are and how many lives they’ve touched over the years. And then the party. So it’s always fun for me to photograph a crowded fun dance floor but when several of the people are friends from my work at the Washington Post Food section it’s a blast.
When the grooms are enjoying the party as much (if not more) than everyone else? A total bonus. One highlight of the party was the cutting of that amazing Charm City Cakes cake. How cute were those cake toppers?
I always try to get a night shot somewhere in the vicinity of the party. There was early talk of a sparkler sendoff but when that didn’t materialize I knew I wanted to use the front of the winery with that fabulous logo. The couple indulged me for a few minutes even after a long night of dancing and I just love that final photo.
Wedding + Reception site District Winery – Courtney Ross 202-904-0499
DJ name Aris Garcia, DJ Tyso, 240-603-7919
Cake Charm City Cakes 410-235-9229
I could not have been more pleased that my first District Winery wedding was for a friend. Joe and I work together quite often at the Washington Post where is is the Food editor. His wedding to Carl was one my first Post (and Post-related) weddings of 2018 and it just makes me so happy to document the day for people I know (and really like).
The couple got ready together (another thing I love to photograph) at their house in NE DC. Their beautiful home made such a great backdrop for the detail photos. That painting over the fireplace was a great spot for their jackets to hang and the table strewn with leftover petals from their homegrown floral wedding displays worked perfectly for their shoes. And of course it was also the opportunity to get photos of their dog Roscoe aka the best dog ever. Seriously, there is no debate about this.
From the house we headed to District Winery for some photos along the Anacostia River by Yards Park and Capitol Riverfront. That area has grown and become so pretty over the last few years. It was a little warm (OK, pretty hot) and there was a Nats game, but we kept the heat and the fans at bay long enough to stroll along the boardwalk before heading inside to that super cool (and air conditioned) wine barrel room for a few more portraits and some family photos.
Guests arrived and mingled while enjoying some pre-ceremony cocktails before the main event took place on the patio overlooking the river. It was such a stunning backdrop and a pleasant breeze keep everyone from getting overheated. The grooms’ sisters served as flower women, preceding the couple down the aisle. The ceremony was funny and tearful and was capped off with the most amazing song from Nova Y. Payton who also sang the couple down the aisle. She was unbelievable (hear her sing here)!
Stay tuned for part two coming shortly where you can see all their fun details (the cake!!) and their super fun reception.
Wedding + Reception site District Winery – Courtney Ross 202-904-0499
DJ name Aris Garcia, DJ Tyso, 240-603-7919
Cake Charm City Cakes 410-235-9229
Megan + Dennis’ Merriweather Post Pavillion wedding had so many super fun do-it yourself touches that told their guests so much about their personalities and their love of all things music and adventure. The two have traveled the world together and their table centerpieces highlighting the cities they love were also strewn with musical notes and my favorite favor–a flash drive of music for their guests to take home that looked like an old cassette tape. Their cake was pretty awesome too with the silhouette of iconic destinations around the world (the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower) and their passports.
After a lovely cocktail hour, guests made their way upstairs to the light-filled reception space where the couple were toasted by the best man and sister of the bride/maid of honor and shared a sweet first dance. And once the dance floor opened it was a light out great party. I did manage to sneak the couple out for a few minutes in the chilly sunset where their name was in lights as they hugged each other close.
Wedding + Reception site Merriweather Post Pavillion Site coordinator Joy Strianese 301-272-7611
Caterer Zeffert and Gold 410-944-4481
Hair and makeup Alison Harper 301-979-8033
DJ Jason Burns 410-569-6000
Cake Touché Touchet 410-997-9338
Merriweather Post Pavillion isn’t known as a wedding venue. For forty years it has been great music hall and outdoor ampitheater will a full schedule of concerts.
Megan +Dennis took advantage of the gap in events in early spring (and ongoing construction of the main stage) to hold their music and travel themed wedding. Merriweather is a favorite place of theirs to have music and I think this was their first wedding there. Ever. Plus they got their name up in lights!
The weather can be a little volatile in late March in the DC area (my wedding anniversary is March 30 so I know it can be lovely or downright cold). A snow storm came through the area the week of the wedding and the weather was a little bit nippy but the happy couple was undeterred. The original plan of holding the wedding on the main stage also took a hit when the roof that covers the amphitheater’s stage and seating fell in January in the midst of being raised 20 feet. Luckily we had done engagement photos all over the park last fall so weren’t planning to roam around the grounds for photos on the wedding day. These were relatively minor snags–a wedding always has at least one thing that will not be as planned! So instead of the stage, a lovely small room with a wall of windows became the ceremony site. We were still able to use the cool clean lines of the band hangout area for their first look and their portraits. We even took a sneak onto the balcony overlooking the stage for a few minutes.
The ceremony was conducted by Megan’s sister and was so funny and heartfelt. Their wedding was small and intimate and so full of fun. My favorite part of the ceremony were the personalized vows that had everyone laughing! Be on the lookout for part two of their wedding blog post where I show off all the amazing and DIY details that truly captured the adventurous and musically inclined personalities of the bride and groom!
And a very special shout out to Geoff Baker, my college buddy and fellow University of Maryland Diamondback photographer who served as Dennis’ best man. He sent the couple my way and what a compliment it is to be recommended by such a talented photographer!
Wedding + Reception site Merriweather Post Pavillion Site coordinator Joy Strianese 301-272-7611
Caterer Zeffert and Gold 410-944-4481
Hair and makeup Alison Harper 301-979-8033
DJ Jason Burns 410-569-6000
Cake Touché Touchet 410-997-9338
Welcome to K+N’s Army Navy Country Club Arlington wedding reception! After the I Do’s it was time for a splendid party.
The evening kicked off with the couple’s beautifully choreographed first dance and the proceeded with toasts. The bride and groom chose chocolate milkshakes as their drink of choice!! And then the serious dancing (and singing along) got started. When the couple is this expressive and their friends and family are having so much fun on the dance floor, it’s hard not to take good photos.
I persuaded K+N to brave the cold just one more time for an after sunset photo. We headed out to the patio of the club with that stunning view of the Washington Monument in the distance. The colorful lights and a little magic light made for some of my favorite portraits of the day. We also snuck away for a minute to take the overhead photos with the chandelier in the foyer of the club. I’ve wanted to do that photo for several years so I’m so happy I had a chance to finally get a bride & groom photo from that vantage point.
Their grand exit which had their friends and family throwing rose petals was such a fun and different way to end the night. They look of joy and love as they made their way through the shower of flowers and to the waiting limo. It just doesn’t get better than that.
Wedding and reception Army Navy Country Club – Rebecca Pipkins 703.521.6800
Event coordinator Laura Thomas 703.727.4289
Florist Yellow Door – John Duffy 703.734.1137
Hair: David’s Beautiful People (Enrique)/240.423.9319
Makeup Blend Makeup Artistry Kathy Schultz 410.440.5142
DJ Bryan George 202.234.6695
Cake Alexandria Pastry Tu Parsons 703.578.4333
February is not a traditionally popular time to get married in the Washington, DC area. But Kelly + Nathan used their offseason wedding to show off their classic elegance and showed how beautiful an Army Navy Country Club winter wedding can be. Sure, an early winter wedding provides some challenges–like 5 pm sunsets and cold temperatures but none of that was a deterrent to this fun couple.
I knew they were going to totally enjoy their day and be in the moment after photographing their wedding engagement photos at Meadowlark Gardens last summer. They could not have had more fun which always bodes well for the wedding day photos!
It was chilly but other than a quick trip outside for portraits, everything else was planned to be inside. The energy and fun of the day kicked off with Kelly and her girls getting ready nearby and taking special time out for a group prayer before heading to the country club. Nate and his buddies played board games before getting in their fancy clothes. Once the couple saw each other at their sweet first look and we took advantage of that wonderful grand staircase at the club, we headed outside. Let’s just say it was cold. But their joy at being (almost) married and her chic wrap kept them warm. The ceremony was held in the grand ballroom in front of the pretty picture window. And when they stopped and kissed in the aisle on the way out they brought the house down.
Next up: their details and reception and their fabulous rose petal getaway!!
Wedding and reception Army Navy Country Club – Rebecca Pipkins 703.521.6800
Event coordinator Laura Thomas 703.727.4289
Florist Yellow Door – John Duffy 703.734.1137
Hair: David’s Beautiful People (Enrique)/240.423.9319
Makeup Blend Makeup Artistry Kathy Schultz 410.440.5142
DJ Bryan George 202.234.6695
Cake Alexandria Pastry Tu Parsons 703.578.4333
J+C’s glorious fall wedding at Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington, DC continued after their ceremony with cocktails and their reception. First stop was a brief break for just the two of them (in the Jewish tradition it’s called a yichud) and then joined their guests in the rotunda.
Before the ceremony and after they had their first look at Meridian Hill Park, we did some really fun portraits inside and outside at Carnegie. The white columns on the portico that faces 16th Street always make for beautiful clean background and for J+C we were able to use that part of the venue for some bride photos as well as their immediate family and wedding party pictures. As you can tell from those photos–particularly the ones of them in front of those iconic giant dark doors–their enthusiasm and joy was totally contagious!
The reception decor captured fall perfectly with pumpkin centerpieces and orange and cranberry highlights. And how adorable is their cake topper? And the rocks that guests signed with love and words of wisdom were a perfect keepsake of their day.
After the toasts came a slide show of the brides throughout the years which brought howls of laughter and definitely some tears. Their first dance was a hoot that even included air guitar solos! A rowdy hora followed and the evening ended with a double bouquet toss from the upper balcony of the and then a few stolen moments outside the entrance to Carnegie on 15th Street where that ring of lights makes for a wonderful end of night glow.
Wedding and Reception Carnegie Institution for Science – Abby Sevcik 202-939-1134
Event coordinator Something New Events Liz Arline 703-505-4627
Caterer Main Event Caterers, Michelle Gutstein 703-820-2028
Florist name BeeInspired, Maya Bosnjak 202-340-5075
Hair Jacky Simon 301-943-0341
Makeup Dorsey Beauty Meghan Dorsey 410-353-5165
DJ Michael Cruz 301-213-8630