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Holly Hills Country Club wedding – Ijamsville, Maryland

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All my weddings are special to me. When a couple chooses me to be their wedding photographer it’s beyond an honor. It’s a trust they place in me to capture the memories of their day. Seven or eight years ago when my kids were much smaller than the giant teenagers they’ve now become, I hired Jennifer to be my part-time babysitter. To say that they loved her is an understatement. They looked forward to the days Jenn was sitting so much that the disappointment was visible when they were stuck with me for the day. Jenn became part of our family and I had always promised that when she got married I would shoot her wedding. This October I got to fulfill my promise as she and Justin had a warm and funny and slightly chilly outdoor ceremony on a hillside in Ijamsville. A very special part of their ceremony included their adorable one year old daughter Maddie who was a complete trooper as she was pulled down the aisle in a wagon and presented with a special necklace during the ceremony. The joy of their little family on their special day was infectious. Another special part of the day for me was having my whole family there. I’ve been shooting weddings for 13 years and they’ve never seen me at work. I entrusted my son Wyatt to be my assistant for the after ceremony portraits and it was quite amusing to watch him try to make Jenn’s veil fly. The biggest surprise for me was when my daughter Hannah asked to help as well and she was my trusty assistant for my sunset shot! Their reception highlights for me were Jenn’s dance with her dad–being an only child and very close to her parents the reaction from her mom was priceless. And the newly official Richards family took many turns around the dance floor happy as can be.

Wedding and Reception site Holly Hills Country Club 5502 Mussetter Road, Ijamsville, MD 301.694.8322

Florist Blossom and Basket 301.829.8300

Hair and makeup Brenda Dalton 301.988.8038 

DJ Shew-sical (Robert) 888.743.9742 

Cake Lilly Magilly’s 301.208.2828

Videographer Stevenson Productions 301.988.5636

Musket Ridge Golf Club wedding – Myersville, Maryland

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Sandy + Peter picked a picture perfect day for their intimate wedding at Musket Ridge just outside of Frederick, Maryland. As they stood under the white pergola which doubled as a chuppah, the traditional Jewish ceremony  began with both bride and groom escorted by their parents. Sandy, in particular, was just beaming as she made her way down the aisle. With stunning views of the Catoctin Mountains in the background , they were surrounded by close friends and family as they exchanged their vows. A crowded dance floor (not always the case with daytime weddings) and moving toasts rounded out the day. And a special shout out to extraordinary Matron of Honor Katherine, the fabulous Washington Post photographer who recommended me for the job!

 

Wedding and reception site Musket Ridge Golf Club 301.293.9930

Florist Pierre, Amour Flowers 301.662.4777

Hair Amanda 301.514.7512

Makeup Kasey 443.822.6242

DJ Bill Izer 301.639.1244

Cake Balducci’s Custom Cakes 301.564.3100

Kashmira + James’ wedding – Walkers Overlook + St. James, Maryland

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I do love a Friday wedding. And this year, Friday is the new Saturday. James + Kashmira are my first of three Friday weddings this year and their day couldn’t have been better. Since we’d never met in person, I wasn’t sure what to expect exactly but I knew from our many conversations that they had very definite ideas about what they wanted for their wedding photography. Which is a good thing. That vision and the amazing attention to detail that they brought to their wedding celebration made for some really fun photos and some really gorgeous portraits. Their ceremony at James’ alma mater the St. James School near Hagerstown took place in the quaint school chapel overseen by the school’s headmaster. The grounds were a lovely backdrop for the bride and groom and bridal party portraits. We hit it exactly at peak season for the numerous cherry trees. Then we headed to another new venue for me, called Walkers Overlook near Frederick for their reception. Beautiful views and a fabulous old barn—what more could I ask for? Perfect weather? A groom in a cobalt suit carrying a family heirloom pocket watch? A teary father-daughter dance? A crowded and energetic dance floor? It just couldn’t have been better.

Ceremony St. James School Hagerstown, MD 301.733.9330

Reception Venue Walkers Overlook Walkersville, Md 301.748.5667

Caterer Black Eyed Susan’s Catering John Walla 240.675.7628

Florist Candlelight Floral Designs Frederick, MD 240.440.4101

Hair and makeup Alina Karaman 202.257.2447

DJ DJ Rang 919.749.2567

Cake Sister’s Bake Shop 301.379.6353

 

 

Sarah + Nate – Congressional Country Club wedding

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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

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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

Rachel + Josh – Comus Inn, Dickerson, Maryland

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What a glorious fall day for Rachel + Josh’s wedding! With the backdrop of Sugarloaf Mountain and the late afternoon sun bathing everything in a gold glow, it really doesn’t get much better. They were married under a chuppah of birch trees and surrounded by their friends and family. The most memorable part of the day for me was how sweet everyone at the wedding was—both the father of the bride and father of the groom came up to tell us how much they appreciate all our hard work on the wedding day. And the toasts during the reception were pretty extraordinary. Rachel + Josh have been dating since high school (!) and have devoted their lives to helping people. It was pretty amazing to hear how admired and respected they are. They were so adorable together as the photos prove. And as an extra bonus, I got to catch up with Andra + Daniel who recommended me to Rachel + Josh after I shot their wedding in June of 2012!

Ceremony + Reception The Comus Inn Cheryl Cox 240.938.9838

Florist Blossom and Basket 301.829.8300

Hair and makeup Danielle Pilon 202.615.8874

Band The Winn Brothers Band Gordon Winn 703.772.6759

Cake Fancy Cakes by Leslie 301.652.9390

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 🙂

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

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

 

Crownsville, Maryland wedding

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Talisha and Monica’s Crownsville, Maryland wedding over Memorial Day weekend at a small private home overlooking the water was just a dream come true. As a wedding photographer I look for several factors for a good day. A couple in love, gorgeous light, friends and family surrounding them, a pretty view and great moments. These two had it all!

I knew I liked Talisha right away as we talked for over an hour in our initial phone conversation. But the critical test was getting the approval of her fiancé Monica. She is the quieter of the two and a bit more reserved and I was warned, not that crazy about being photographed. I think the ice was really broken when we got together for their engagement session a couple months ago near their home. I knew I was in for a treat when their good friend Myla was there to do their makeup. It just spoke to their attention to detail. We spent time at some of their favorite hangouts near their home and just took full advantage of the sun and their chemistry.

My goal for the wedding was to make sure the photos were even better than what we did for the engagement photos.  I had gone on a scouting trip with Talisha a few weeks before the wedding on a dreadful rainy day. Luckily Memorial Day weekend turned out to be glorious. The wedding was a small affair—maybe 50 people–and they were just completely at ease and happy surrounded by their nearest and dearest. Both women were radiant–in matching very high heels and Monica in her bespoke ivory suit and bow tie. Talisha was stunning in her white wedding gown and birdcage veil.

There are so many photos I love from this wedding but in particular I’m partial to the ones we made on the dock before the wedding. Group shots are not usually my favorite images of the day but I had fun capturing everyone perform their last minute adjustments before the formal photos. The brides’ lovely ceremony concluded with the jumping of the broom as the guests blew bubbles. The reception got underway with their very brief first dance. The light was gorgeous and they were just completely in their own world which made for such great photos. The small back porch of the house became the makeshift dance floor and let’s just say this crew knew how to have a good time. Blue drinks and a custom blue and yellow candy bar just added a few details to what, for me, is one of my favorite weddings ever.

 

 

Caterer  The Main Ingredient (Annapolis MD)

Florist DBI Events 

Make-up (Monica and BMs) –  C’est Jolie Makeup Artistry

Make-up (Talisha) – Myla Sharee