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Airlie Center wedding – Warrenton, Virginia

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Couples come to me in a variety of ways. Word of mouth recommendations, online or from others in the wedding business. Sometimes they call a year ahead of time, often six to nine months and occasionally a month or two out. Elizabeth + David were in the latter group. And as much as I like to have my schedule planned out in advance, it’s always fun to have a few last minute weddings thrown into the mix. I didn’t get to meet them before the wedding but from phone calls and emails I got a pretty good sense of them as a couple. Accomplished journalists getting married at Airlie Center–one of my favorite sites in the area–on an beautiful spring day proved to be a recipe for a fabulous day. Surrounded by their immediate family, the couple decided to forego a traditional wedding party keeping their siblings closest to them on their wedding day. And in turn, both sets of sibs delivered hysterical toasts. Some of my favorite photos of the reception were Elizabeth + David’s reaction to their speeches. There were so many great moments during the day–the lower garden ceremony, the few minutes just after the ceremony where they put their rings on the proper fingers–it was very appropriate for a journalism couple that it was the moments that mattered.

Ceremony + Reception Airlie Center; site coordinatorTara Trapp – 540.341.3202

Event coordinator TaylorMade Weddings Darlene Taylor 540.550.0095

Florist Fox Ventures LLC – 301.937.1571

Hair and makeup Stefanie Wolf at Modern Bridal 859.699.0071

DJ Matt Johnson, Black Tie Entertainment  571.216.9719

Cake Happy Tart  571.244.3662

Two Wedding engagements – New York City, Washington DC

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Snow covered lawns and frigid temperatures make me long for spring. But until my spring engagements get underway here’s a little look back at my last engagement session of 2014 and to my first one of 2015. S+B had two sessions; one in their New York City neighbor in the Village and another over Thanksgiving at Meadowlark Gardens in Virginia. I had to include a shot from the balcony  of their fabulous Manhattan apartment at night. Seriously, what a view!! And the timing of this post is very appropriate since their wedding is this Saturday in DC.

K+J live in San Francisco and were in town over Christmas to celebrate the holidays, do lots of wedding planning and have their engagement photos taken. Extra bonus points for us that the day after Christmas was sunny and 50 degrees! FDR Memorial is a favorite of their (and a new favorite of mine) and we wandered from the Tidal Basin to the WWI Memorial to the Reflecting Pool. Needless to say we were not the only people out enjoying the unseasonably warm weather. Can’t wait to photograph their wedding in Alexandria in May with the fabulous Janice Carnevale at Bellwether Events.

 

Airlie Center wedding – Warrenton, Virginia

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It’s always such a treat to be back at Airlie. Lindsay + Aaron’s wedding was the second glorious day there this year. Seriously great weather and just a hint of fall color in the trees made for a lovely combination. I admired the way Lindsay kept her cool when there was a serious bridesmaid dress fail before the ceremony. I just loved the anticipation in the air as Lindsay made her way down the aisle to Aaron—keeping things traditional with no first look. There were nods throughout the day to Aaron’s “geekiness,” including mentions by his brother during the best man toast of a love of video games and a stellar surprise for the bride and groom with Star Wars light sabers forming an archway. On a beautiful fall day at Airlie Center, it’s hard to make a bad picture!

Wedding + Reception site Airlie Conference Center, 6809 Airlie Road
, Warrenton, Virginia

Site coordinator Lisa Albert, 540.341.3227

Florist Wegmans

Hair and makeup Diana Lay – Style by Diana 301.399.4069

DJ Kyle Wardrop, 240.393.8399

Cake Happy Tart 571.244.3662

Videographer Reflexion Videography Jeff Colley, 410.859.1267

Army Navy Country Club wedding- Arlington, VA

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Back to back Friday weddings on glorious fall days, how lucky could I get? Caitlin + Joey’s day was great from start to finish. There was the sweet moment where the bride’s niece helped her put on her shoes, Joey’s hug for his mom before the ceremony and the way that the two of them kept laughing and leaning in to each other during the service. And I can just go on and on about the portraits of the two of them. I knew from our engagement session in Old Town that the two of them would be stelar on the wedding day and I was not disappointed. We even had a little spur of the moment fun getting the full bridal party out onto the golf course with the Washington Monument in the background in between golfers playing through. I loved their first dance and the groom’s brother in law who is stationed in Afghanistan made an entrance with his family into the reception via iPad. A highlight of the evening was the couple’s friends singing “Wagon Wheel” with the whole crowd singing along. And for me, it was so great to catch up with my former couple Maura + Pat and to see so many familiar faces from the previous weddings I’ve photographed of Caitlin’s friends.

Ceremony Our Lady Queen of Peace 2700 S. 19th St, Arlington, VA

Reception Army Navy Country Club, 1700 Army Navy Dr. Arlington, VA

Site coordinator Rebecca Pipkins703.521.6800

Event coordinator Andrea Rocco Getting You to I Do 703.835.5897

Florist Enchanted Florist Alexandria, VA 703.836.7777

Hair Bridal Hair by Remona Reston, VA 703.597.9884

Makeup Kari Ellen Cosmetics/Violet Salon Washington, DC 202.337.3477

DJ Smitty Gritty 703.472.3825

Cake Candice Ossman Baked Bliss Cakes 703.590.2901

 

Queenie + HyunJun – Airlie Center wedding, Warrenton, Virginia

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I do love an Airlie wedding. Queenie + HyunJun had two ceremonies on their wedding day. A Chinese wedding tea ceremony in traditional clothing started off the emotional day. The bride and groom kneal and present tea to their closest relatives while surrounded by their extended family. It was such a lovely way to honor and respect their family and at one point almost everyone was crying! After a change of clothes, a first look and some portraits, Queenie + HyunJun proceeded to a traditional ceremony in the lower garden at Airlie. Yes, it was a little hot but I loved the adorable fans/programs that Queenie created for the day. And it’s hard to beat a ring bearer wearing a fedora. After the ceremony I took what ended up being one of my absolute favorite photos of the day. Often I do most of the bride and groom portraits before the ceremony. But I like to have a few minutes afterwards, when possible, to do just a couple more. Something changes once the vows have been said. Maybe it’s relief or maybe it’s that magic that happens when it’s official. Throw in a simple background of green foliage and fabulous early evening light and a little moment of joy. Pure love.

Wedding, reception and catering Airlie Center 6809 Airlie Rd Warrenton, VA

Site coordinator Brittany Carey 540.341.3298

Florist Jennifer Morris 571.242.1150

Hair and makeup Rosaline Chow 703.625.5532

DJ GoodNote DJ 202.596.5915

Cake Jireh Bakery Cafe

 

Baby Gracie – Great Falls, VA

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I just love catching up with my former brides and grooms as their families grow. Gracie was a willing and smiley subject for a beautiful morning photo session at her grandparent’s house in Great Falls. She lives with her parents in Paris so I’ve already put in my request for a Parisian photo shoot…

Anna + Bill’s wedding Good Shepherd Catholic Church + the Carlyle Club Alexandria, VA

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I knew that things would be a little different on Anna + Bill’s wedding day but I had no idea what was to come. The day started with a festival directly in front of the Carlyle Club that made logistics a little tricky. As much fun as it would have been to get the couple on the moon bounce, the event was mostly cleaned up by the time we made it back to reception. Anna’s day started calmly, surrounded by her immediate family as she got dressed. I particularly loved her silk bridal bouquet with brooches and those blue wedding shoes were amazing. Another detail that was very cool was the large lucky horseshoe given to the couple at the end of their ceremony as a tribute to Anna’s Scottish heritage. Bill was tasked with making sure the church preparations were complete. The couple is very active in their congregation and in particular the music in the ceremony. The couple’s love of theatre comes into play again later at the reception where the Carlyle Club’s retro Hollywood glamor vibe fit perfectly with their theme. After the ceremony, Anna was greeted by her elementary school students with a lot of hugs and a bubble send off. The big unexpected surprise came a bit later at the Carlyle Club as the fire alarm went off during dinner forcing an evacuation of the building. The kids at the wedding were beyond excited to see the flashing lights and the fire trucks and as a bonus, they (and the bride & groom) all got plastic firemen hats! And one of my favorites of the many portraits of the day is the one of Anna + Bill in front of the fire truck. Sometimes the most memorable part of the day is the unexpected.

 

Wedding Good Shepherd Catholic Church 8710 Mount Vernon Highway, Alexandria, VA

Reception Carlyle Club 411 John Carlyle Street, Alexandria, VA 703.548.5953

Florist Petal’s Edge 703.518.8488

Band DC Fusion

Cake Hollin Hall Pastry Shop 703.768.9643

 

 

Nancy + Sean’s 15th anniversary party – Reston Hyatt Regency

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Most summer weekends I can be found at a wedding. In early June this year I got to spend time photographing a celebration of what comes after the wedding day. Nancy + Sean chose their 15th anniversary to have a spectacular party that was as much a celebration of their marriage and their four children as it was a tribute to their friends and family. After a quick portrait session with the immediate family they entered together into the transformed ballroom. There was a quick vow renewal surrounded by their kids and then a night of fun and Irish dancing and even a few tears during toasts. Special thanks to Sara Franklin for coordinating a great event and designing a fabulous room to photograph!

Venue Hyatt Regency Reston  703-709-1234

Event coordinator Social Scene Events Sara Franklin   703-516-4224

Florist Amaryllis 240-770-8600

DJ E2 Events – Jaime Shaw 301-938-8369

Videographer Suburban Video  301-315-6300

Lighting John Farr Lighting 301-390-2728

Rentals DC Rental  703-671-7300

Photo-booth  Bialek’s 301-340-6206

Caricature Artist Davis Event Group  703-461-7253

 

Amy + Paul’s wedding – Upperville, Virginia

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Amy + Paul had a very Virginia wedding. Not Northern Virginia. Real Virginia. Rolling hills, stone fences, direct descendents of Robert E. Lee Virginia. And it was beautiful. The  weekend started with the stunning backdrop of the Ashby Inn located in Paris. It was a picture perfect day and as the sun made it’s way closer to the surrounding mountains the night before the wedding, Amy + Paul’s friends and family gathered for dinner. Amy and her mother were resplendent in saris as a tribute to Paul’s Indian heritage. The theme continued the next day at the ceremony at the historic Trinity Church in Upperville. The bridesmaids wore gorgeous orange saris while Amy shined in a traditional white dress. I’ve had the pleasure of shooting at the church a few years ago and the grounds and the stonework of the church make for a wonderful and quaint backdrop. From the church we made our way a few miles down Rt. 50 to Tip Top Farm, Amy’s grandmother’s place. Words don’t do it justice. I think that portrait of the couple with the farm’s fabulous vista really says it all.

 

Rehearsal Dinner Ashby Inn, Paris, VA 540.592.3900

Ceremony Trinity Episcopal Church, Upperville, VA

Event coordinator Amy Van Meter Events 540.550.7336

Caterer Savoir Fare Limited Joan Wolford 540.338.8300

Florist Buttercup Floral Design Laura Larrick Walker 540. 533. 7404

Hair and makeup My Mobile Salon Trish Langley 703.856.2617

DJ Mike Weiss One and Done Events 540.272.2822

Cake Gâteau 540.347.9188

Videographer Dolce Studio Films 703-300-9033

Old Town engagements

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A couple of weeks ago on a beautiful spring weekend I had the pleasure of back to back engagement sessions in Old Town Alexandria. The city was in full bloom and even though we were in the same general area I was determined to make two different sets of photos. We did use the same cherry trees (too pretty to pass up!) and part of the waterfront but overall I think I succeeded. And I did get to work with my 13 year old son as my assistant for the first time so that made the weekend just a little bit more special. I am looking forward to both Lindsay and Aaron and Caroline and Miguel’s weddings later this year.