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Ali + Peter’s wedding – Fairmont Washington

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How appropriate was it that Ali + Peter’s wedding fell on a World Cup soccer Saturday? Ali is the JV soccer coach at my daughter’s high school and runs a successful soccer coaching business. And it was definitely the first time I saw a bride (and her bridesmaids) kick around a soccer ball to relax before the day’s festivities. I really loved working with Ali and Peter and their families. In particular, it was such a joy to watch Ali’s closeness with her mom Wendy. Sometimes weddings put stress on even the closest family ties but it was evident from the moment I walked into the hotel suite as Ali was getting ready that she and her mom are best friends. The Fairmont was the perfect backdrop for their ceremony. It was gorgeous and sunny outside for their first look and portraits and then elegant and classic for their evening ceremony under a chuppah with a chandelier.  I loved the Seinfeld references throughout the night—both in the ceremony and toasts, and the popcorn bar was a huge hit. The dance floor overflowed, even until the last dance. I don’t always stay until the very end but I’m so glad I did. The photos start to get pretty interesting by the end of the evening…And a special shout out to my fabulous former bride Kathy who was Ali’s MOH and recommended me to her. I love, love, love seeing my former brides & grooms at their friends’ weddings!

Event coordinator Sue Gould 240.778.5453

Wedding + Reception site Fairmont, Washington, DC

Site coordinator Bob Mikolitch 202.429.5599

Florist DaVinci Florist

Hair Marcella 240.731.4118

Makeup Sue Ellen Kaye 301.785.2612

Band Sound Connection Andy Kushner 301.646.5151

Cake Fairmont

Videographer Jeff Schofield Washington Talent

 

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

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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

 

Elizabeth + Ben’s wedding – Fairfax Hotel at Embassy Row – Washington, DC

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The end of March is always an iffy weather time in DC. I know, my anniversary is March 30. With Elizabeth and Ben’s wedding, we got a day that’s about as good as it gets—especially this spring where it was ridiculously cold. The Fairfax Hotel at Embassy Row was a lovely setting for such an elegant day. It’s always nice to have the run of the place and even to hog an elevator as we did later in the evening for one of my favorite shots of the day. One of the best parts of the day for me was having tons of time for portraits built into the day. We chased the sun a bit on Mass. Ave and really made some lovely photos. My second favorite part of the day was working with the fabulous Andrea Jacobson as my second shooter. I’m excited to get a chance to return the favor in July! And a special shout out to Multiflor who did an incredible chuppah for the couple made out of primarily baby’s breath (I think that’s what it was…I don’t know a ton about flowers…) It really was stunning. Their reception dance floor was packed from the minute the Hora started after a particularly impressive first dance that involved lots of lifts and twirls. Elizabeth and Ben met on their first day at Penn as undergraduates and their college friends jammed the floor, taking time out for some shots at the bar–both the boys and the girls. Some of my favorite photos are below. To see the full slideshow of their wedding, take a look at the previous post. Trying something new (and viewable on iPads)!

Event coordinator: Lynn Iannizzi The Finer Points LLC 703.431.9494
Site coordinator: Mitchell Bierbaum The Fairfax at Embassy Row 202.293.2100
Florist: Multiflor 703.645.0090
Hair and makeup: Carola Myers 571.214.5558
Band: Doctor’s Orders 301.340.6206
Cake: Fluffy Thoughts 703.942.5538
Videographer: Thomas Bowen Films 301.294.5300

Elizabeth and Ben’s wedding slide show

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Elizabeth + Ben’s slide show!

Susie + Gabe’s wedding – December 12, 2010

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I am a believer a destiny (and that often we make our own destiny but that’s another story) and I firmly believe that when a couple chooses me to photograph their wedding that destiny plays a part. I know, it’s a little corny. But when I met Susie and Gabe, I think there was a little more than luck at work. Maybe it’s that Susie grew up in Potomac where I now live or that my son Wyatt and Susie’s nephew Teddy are now in the same 4th grade class. Whatever the reason, I was excited to be with Susie and Gabe at the Fairmont Hotel on December 12 for my last wedding of the year. It was a rainy and grey day but it didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm. Of course, it was December so everything was inside anyway. I’ve had a few large bridal parties but I think this one took the cake. I believe including the two junior groomsmen, flower girl and ring bearer there were 23 in the bridal party not counting the bride and groom! That made for a crowded scene under the chuppah. The couple’s nieces and nephews were everywhere stealing the show. One of my favorite photos from the day was one taken by the fabulous Michael Connor who was my second shooter. I just love the photo of Susie’s niece looking out over the Christmas decorations in the courtyard of the hotel. Another favorite of mine is Susie walking into the ketubah ceremony. You can just see her excitement and things were getting underway. One funny photo happened as I followed the couple for the yehud (private time) after the ceremony. As they entered the bridal suite, a maid was in there cleaning. They had to ask her to come back later. In the shot below you can see the maid peeking around the corner as Susie and Gabe are kissing! The reception included a rollicking Hora and a very cute toast by the nieces and nephews with Susie’s parent singing “Happy Talk” from South Pacific. And then Gabe’s father introduced the couple as Mr. and Mrs. Freeman (Susie’s name). That got a good laugh.

And a special treat for me, I got to work with some of my favorite wedding pros:

Flowers: Petal’s Edge –Susie’s bouquet was especially gorgeous with rich purple flowers (can you tell I’m not a florist??)

DJ: Chris Laich. It was a pleasure as always working with Chris and Aaron. I think I shot seven or eight weddings with them this year alone.

Fairmont Hotel: Such a pretty hotel and the events run like clockwork thanks to Bob Mikolitch

Ceremony music: Sage String Quartet