Deb Lindsey Photography Archives - Page 12 of 18

Michael + David’s wedding – Fiola Restaurant – Washington, DC

I first met David a few years ago when I arrived at his house for a Food assignment. He was writing the Real Entertaining column for the Washington Post’s Food section and I had been sent to do the photography. It was the first of many trips there (more for his subsequent column Sourced) and as much as I enjoyed photographing the food, I definitely was up for tasting whatever he’d cooked. He did one column on locally sourced blueberries that had a blueberry ginger lemonade recipe that is still one of my favorite summer coolers. And it’s killer with a little rum while sitting with friends at the community pool on summer evenings. But I digress…

I knew David was getting married from our mutual friend, deputy Food editor (and food stylist extraordinaire) Bonnie Benwick. But I was very surprised to get a call from David in late July asking about my availability to be his mid-September wedding photographer. And meeting was arranged and it was then that I met Michael and I could see what a lovely and emotional day they had planned. Their attention to even the smallest detail was impressive. Matching custom made suits and initial cufflinks, David’s red rubber Vivienne Westwood shoes, cake trim to match their invitations and of course, the food. Their dog Coco made an appearance in Pershing Park for some photos. She was a presence at the grooms’ table at the restaurant with her photograph but I suspect the day wouldn’t have been complete for either Michael or David without a Coco visit.

I have to admit it was more than a little thrilling (and surreal) to have Ruth Bader Ginsburg officiating the ceremony. The buzz was palatable as she arrived and proceeded to sign the marriage certificate and to talk with Michael and David for a good half hour prior the ceremony. It felt like I was on a news assignment for the Post. And not just because the New York Times was there covering the wedding for their Vows column. The funniest details emerged to me when I was editing the wedding photos. I loved her security guy always standing nearby holding her purse. And the colorful beaded collar she wore over her judges ‘robes. She led the ceremony in such a relaxed and warm way making it very personal to Michael and David. They in turn, honored her by toasting with milk instead of wine at the end of the ceremony. It was a tribute to her remarks about the benefits of marriage during arguments before the Supreme Court concerning the Defense of Marriage Act.

“There’s two kinds of marriage, there’s full marriage and then there’s sort of skim milk marriage,”

The other particularly moving part of the day was during the speeches after the fabulous five course dinner. The microphone was passed around the room to friends and family and it was so touching to hear what this day meant to everyone after such a long history of not being able to be legally married and about family acceptance and love. And did I mention that the place was swarming with some of the best chefs in the DC area? And that Michael and his NOAA friends used their influence to provide a perfect (partly cloudy) day for their rooftop ceremony? So much to this wedding…maybe after all this I should let the photos speak for themselves.

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

October 15, 2013/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

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

October 2, 2013/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

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

Chu + David engagement session – Meadowlark Gardens Vienna, VA

September 4, 2013/in Engagements, Portraits /by lindseydeb

A little mid-week love from my recent engagement session with Chu + David. Lovely late August blooms at the park and three wardrobe changes made for some very cute photos. Looking forward to their wedding coming up in just a few weeks.

Catching up…

August 30, 2013/in Engagements, Portraits /by lindseydeb

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 🙂

Elizabeth + Gene’s Leesburg, Virginia wedding

August 5, 2013/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

Elizabeth and Gene planned a small, family only wedding. First was their ceremony at the historic and charming chapel of their church adjacent to Oatlands. Nexct came a lovely outdoor late luncheon filled with laughter and toasts. And finally, a party under a tent on the rolling hills of their stunning Aldie home. The twist came when it was revealed to those invited to the party that the couple had gotten married earlier in the day. Everything throughout the day was impeccable. From the flower arrangements on the lunch table laid out on a burlap runner to the backdrop of their property with an historic main stone house, red barns and a pretty pond overlooking a wide expanse of land. It was also a treat for me to catch up with Molly and Chris, Gene’s daughter and son-in-law and their growing family. I photographed their wedding in my first year in business!

And with this blog post I am off on a family vacation to California for two weeks to watch my daughter swim in a national swim meet (go Hannah!) and then to be a tourist in LA and San Fran. If you want to find out what we’re doing, follow me on Instagram at deblindsey! And stay tuned for lots more great weddings to come this fall 🙂

Wedding Church of Our Saviour – Oatlands Leesburg, VA

Reception Private Residence, Aldie, VA

Caterer Savoir Fare Limited 540.338.8300

Flowers Petals and Hedges 540.882.9113

Band Retrospect 301.438.2400

Amanda + Chris’ Logan Circle wedding – Washington, DC

July 30, 2013/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

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

July 22, 2013/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

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

Shelly + David’s wedding – Strathmore Mansion – Rockville, Maryland

July 11, 2013/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

Shelly and I met for the first time on Skype. She and David live in Pittsburgh and they therefore have the honor of being my first Skype couple. I knew that after our adorable engagement session at Glen Echo last year that the chemistry between the two of them would be through the roof on their wedding day. I was not disappointed. From their first look that could have easily lasted 30 minutes (when most take about 5) to the laughter during their Ketubah signing and ceremony outside the Strathmore Mansion, they could not have been better together. Yes, it was a little steamy…par for the course in DC in mid-June but the weather held for the outdoor wedding and cocktails and then moved inside for a daytime lunch and dancing. A nice touch was the cookie table towards the end of the reception–a Pittsburgh tradition. They were sent off with bubbles and I just loved the photo of David’s grandmother having fun blowing bubbles at the end of the day. And as a bonus, since it was an early wedding with a tight timetable, Shelly + David were troopers and I got to do most of their couple portraits after the guests had left. They ended up as some of my favorites from the day—they were so happy and relaxed and we had the run of the place!

Wedding + reception Strathmore Mansion

Event coordinator Lula Mae Events Meighan Mahaffey 202.306.7999

Site coordinator & Caterer Restaurant Associates Jennifer Voories 212.613.5526

Florist Bloom Affair 888.990.7776

Hair Nancy Engler 240.498.7937

Makeup Beauty N The Bride Nikki Fraser 240.418.1354

DJ Halley Shoenberg Jazz Quartet 240.381.510

Cake Stella’s Bakery 301.231.9026

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

July 3, 2013/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

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.