Planning a wedding in February in the DC area is risky. This winter, not so much. Temperatures were regularly in the 60s in January and February so I was really excited and optimistic for Jennifer and Nate’s winter wedding. OK, it was 20 degrees and frigid when we did their engagement shoot on an early January morning at Eastern Market but the signs looked good for the wedding day. And then came the winds. And the fact that Thorpewood, where they were getting married is up in the Cacoctin Mountains near Thurmont, Maryland. Maybe the wind would hit the other side of the mountain. Maybe the weather forecast would be wrong and 40-60 mile per hour gusts were just a figment of their imagination. No luck there unfortunately but Jennifer and Nate were troopers. From their first look outside the venue to the fabulous rustic barn on the property, they posed without complaint. Although I think I did overhear someone worrying that the barn would collapse as we kept shooting while the sides of the building literally flapped in the breeze. It was totally worth it. Those barn photos were some of my favorites from the day.

And once we got back to Thorpewood proper it was nice and toasty in the main room as they were married in front of a roaring fire. I loved all the little touches that really made the wedding reflected Jennifer and Nate as a couple. Takeaway gifts were shawls for the women and hot sauces and whisky for the men. At each place setting was a little birds’ nests and my personal favorite detail—the lovebird cake toppers! The dance floor stayed crowded all night after the couple’s choreographed first dance and it was a particularly sweet moment late in the evening when the groom danced with his great aunt.

The fabulous vendor team:

Wedding and Reception: Thorpewood, Julie Parleman

Caterer and Cake: Canapes Catering

Florist: Blossom & Basket Boutique

Hair and makeup:  Aisha Therese Alves, Picture Perfect Makeup DC

DJ: DJ Trayze

Photography: Deb Lindsey Photography with Michael Connor