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Allison + Greg’s Newseum wedding – July 7, 2012

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I’ve been wanting to blog Allison + Greg’s wedding for a while now and it throws my world into a little bit of a tailspin when I post my weddings out of order. I was very excited about this wedding. This was my first Newseum wedding and it is by far my favorite museum in town. I’ve been there several times with my family and since my husband and I are/were both in the newspaper business, we’re like kids in a candy store when we’re there. Allison + Greg have such a great story.  They were briefly boyfriend and girlfriend in the 7th grade in the 1970s and through Facebook they reconnected in the last couple years and the rest as they say, is history. So the wedding was a true reflection of the scope of their relationship with amazing details like adorable place cards that looked like school library checkout cards, their junior high and high school diplomas on display, thei signature heart with initials inside, gluten-free cakes on several of the tables depicting some aspect of their lives both together and separately, a program containing a crossword puzzle all about the couple. Greg proposed to Allison through a crossword so there was a crossword cake and Greg work crossword cufflinks and a crossword tie. Seriously, not a detail was overlooked. Sara Bauleke and her team from Bella Notte transformed the space at the Newseum for a great party. The main floor was used for dinner and dancing and the gigantic screen played a bit part in the décor of the event. Slideshows ran during the first dance with photos of the couple in junior high school, high school, college, together, separate, right up to the present day. Also flashing on the screen was a screen grab from the initial FB contact between the two! It made for a really dramatic backdrop. As I was roaming the museum looking for fun vantage points I also came across the Newseum security control room and it just struck me as funny seeing all the dancing and the heart logo displayed on their multiple screen. And in case all that wasn’t enough, it was a rocking party—lots of oldies playing, a swing dance demonstration and lesson and a flash mob to Pink’s “Raise Your Glass.”

Event coordinator: Sara Bauleke/Bella Notte/703.979.5887 /sara@bellanottedc.com

Wedding and Reception: The Newseum

Site coordinator Jennifer Wilson/202.292.6254

Caterer Mary Cline, Director of Catering, The Newseum/202.292.6253

Florist John Duffy, Yellow Door/703.734.1137

Hair and makeup Circe Bridal Salon/703.519.8528

DJ Aaron Platt at Chris Laich Music Services/571.245.2700

Cakes Kendall’s Cakes/(703)-536-2200; Charm City Cakes/(410) 235-9229;

Paper and signage Paper Zest

 

Vicky + Andy’s wedding – Washington, DC – Holy Rosary Catholic Church + National Museum for Women in the Arts

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Oh how I love to photograph the weddings of my former bridesmaids/groomsmen! Although I didn’t recognize Vicky the first time we met to discuss her plans, she looked a little familiar. I began to show her images from Laura + Sam’s Carnegie Institute wedding from last summer and sure enough…there she was! I even had a cute photo of  Vicky + Andy  dancing included in the slide show. Their engagement shoot sealed the deal for me. We had a great afternoon together starting at Masa 14, the site of their first date and ending up at the WWII Memorial. They are a downtown Washington couple and the wedding day reflected their love of the city.  Their ceremony at Holy Rosary was lovely and as seen the photos, a bit of a laugh fest. Catholic ceremonies aren’t known for their humor but Vicky came down with a case of the giggles during the ceremony and it made for some very animated photos.  We then made an attempt to stop traffic on Pennsylvania Ave. We did it without getting run over thanks to our very accommodating bus driver who blocked a lane of traffic.  I particularly love the running down the street photos. And I’d be remiss not to mention the “Bridesmaids” inspired shot for the girls. It was all Vicky’s idea and it worked out beautifully. It makes such a difference when everyone in the bridal party is willing to cooperate and play a part—it can make traditionally boring group shots really stand out. The icing on the (wedding) cake for me was a chance to shoot at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. It’s such a gorgeous room without being overwhelming and that staircase is just fabulous. And a special shout out to Sara Muchnick of Engaging Affairs who made sure everything ran on time and without a hitch!

Wedding ceremony: Holy Rosary Catholic Church 595 3rd Street NW, Washington, DC

Reception venue: National Museum of Women in the Arts 1250 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC

Event coordinator: Sara Muchnick, Engaging Affairs 888.484.5156

Caterer + Cake: RSVP, 703.573.8700

Florist: Petal’s Edge, 703.518.8488

Hair: Alyssa Zombro

Videographer: Dolce Film Studios 703.300.9033

 

Engagements

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I am determined to get these posted before some of these wonderful couples get married! Yes, I’ve been too busy to blog these engagements but August is a great time to revisit earlier summer shoots, right? Here’s some of my favorites and I made my self-imposed deadline…Randi and Mike are getting married in Pa. on Aug. 25. For the rest of the couples, I’m looking forward to shooting their weddings in Sept. + November. And stay tuned for more recent engagements coming next week!

Jen + Ross’ Willard Hotel wedding – May 19, 2012 – Washington, DC

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I first met Jen + Ross at a swim meet on the GMU campus on a chilly day in December. OK, I was the one at the swim meet and I ducked out to meet with them at a nearby hotel. But I do think it’s the first time I’ve combined the two things where I spend of my time…weddings and swim meets! What I remember most about that meeting was the way they talked about each other as they recounted the scavenger hunt in Central Park that culminated in Ross’ proposal. They couldn’t take their eyes off each other. So it was especially meaningful for me to do their engagement shoot in Central Park few months later. Their wedding at the Willard Hotel was just sweet and elegant. They are a no-fuss couple and really just have fun being together. When Jen filled out the shoot list questionnaire I sent them before the wedding there’s a blank for special things for us to be on the look out for. Her response was simply that she was marrying her best friend. I thought that summed them up perfectly. They lucked out with a gorgeous spring day that allowed us to take advantage of the view down Pennsylvania Ave during the group shots and their portraits. Another noticeable thing about Jen + Ross is that there is just a little height difference. They solved this for me several times during the reception when Ross picked her up and twirled her around joyously while they danced.

Wedding, reception + cake: The Willard Intercontinental Hotel 1401 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC

Event coordinator: Sarah Peterson/202.637.7457

Florist: Edge Flowers/301.330.5232

Hair and makeup: Andre Chreky Salon/202.293.9393

Band: Sound Connection – Andy Kushner music/301.869.8855

Videographer: Jackson Steppe – Blue Sky Films/301.755.5478

Photography: Deb Lindsey Photography/202.412.8909

 

Andra + Daniel’s engagement session

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Just a quick few lovely engagement session shots to start of a crazy busy Memorial Day week. Andra and Daniel and I spent a lovely spring afternoon at Dumbarton Oaks and I’m looking forward to their wedding coming up in a few short weeks!

 

Kathy + Evan’s Mayflower Hotel wedding – Washington, DC – April 28

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When I first met Kathy I could see we had a lot in common. She was a Potomac girl (OK, technically I’m a Bethesda girl but transplanted to Potomac) and she teaches at the elementary school I went to until 2nd grade. I thought we had made all our connections before the wedding but I was very surprised to walk into her suite on her wedding day and to be recognized by her mother. Turns out she was one of the nurses in the allergy office I went to for years! Kathy + Evan’s wedding turned out to be on one of the most popular wedding dates of 2012. It also was on the same night as the White House Correspondents Dinner which caused a huge snarl of traffic on Connecticut Ave.  in front of the hotel. Luckily we were happily ensconced in the Mayflower by the time all that hubbub started. Their day was elegant and just gorgeous and classically DC. The rain held off for our trek to the Capitol where we made some of my favorite photos from the day. The hotel ballroom and all the details were lovely as well…from the menu cards to the Georgetown Cupcake giveaways. And the party rocked. I loved the balcony in the ballroom that allowed us to make some very fun dance photos.

 

 

 Wedding and reception The Mayflower Renaissance Hotel, Washington, DC, 202.347.3000

 

Event coordinator Bridget Newby of SoCo Events 240.498.5146

Florist DaVinci Florists 301.588.8900

Hair and makeup Victoria Stiles/makeup 571.265.7138 Paula/Hair 240.687.7006

DJ Chris Laich 202.997.2514202.997.2514202.997.2514

Videographer Blue Sky Films 301.775.5478

Photography Deb Lindsey Photography 202.412.8909

 

Ginny + Barrie’s Hotel Monaco wedding – April 21 – Washington, DC

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Ginny and Barrie officially kick off my spring wedding season. I was very excited to be back at the Hotel Monaco after a couple years. Such a cool hotel. The biggest problem is narrowing down the great places to make pictures. Despite the dire predictions of rain, the weather held and we were able to inside and out and take full advantage of being right in the heart of downtown. Their first look took place on the hotel fabulous staircase. They were beyond excited to see each other. We had to remind Barrie to stop looking up the stairs before Ginny arrived and the look of joy on Ginny’s face when she saw her intended was just wonderful. They ceremony was well documented by me and my team but also by Barrie’s mom and stepdad who had better-than-the-average-amateur cameras. Canons, of course. Some of my favorite shots of the day came just after the ceremony. We went outside in front of the National Portrait to take a few more portraits and it reminded me why I like to take some photos after the ceremony. Ginny and Barrie were much more relaxed and even though it finally looked like it was going to rain, it made for just beautiful color. Finally, I need to give a shout out to Barrie’s brother’s who gave a thoroughly embarrassing best man speech. It resonated with me in particular after finding out that Barrie survived solely on toaster waffles and fake maple syrup as a kid. There’s a little boy in my house who could totally relate to that. And Barrie is living proof that you can eat that day in and day out and grow up to be a productive and healthy adult!

Wedding and reception and catering Hotel Monaco  Buddee Clinton /202.449.7014

Florist Barbara Von Elm/Growing Wild  540.364.6246

Hair Hair Salon Revive   202.232.1008

DJ Steve Hoffman/Good Note DJs  202.213.1977

Cupcakes Baked and Wired  202.333.5506

Photography: Deb Lindsey/ Mark Gail/Linda Wang

 

 

Debbie + Paul’s engagement session – Navy Memorial, National Portrait Gallery + Verizon Center

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Debbie, Paul and I hit a lot of great locations in a small radius of downtown DC for their engagement shoot. We started at the Navy Memorial and luckily just missed the Cherry Blossom parade. We made a pitstop outside the National Portrait Gallery before heading into the Verizon Center. They had their first date there at a Wizards game so we made our way to their seats that night then played around with the Wizards’ logo and some of the jazzy red walls on the concourse level.   It always fun for me to shoot in a meaningful location and it was great that Wizards’ owner Ted Leonsis was open to letting us recreate their first day! I’m looking forward to Debbie + Paul’s wedding in October. I won’t be at all surprised if there’s something sports related about their day…

 

Engagements!

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For those of you who didn’t get quite enough love on Valentine’s Day here’s some engagement love from my fall/winter engagements. Enjoy!

Deb + Drew’s Omni Shoreham wedding

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In the spirit of the holiday I’m offering my Black Friday blog post.  And stay tuned to the blog in the next couple weeks (if not sooner) I’ll be unveiling some design changes and a spanking new website!

There’s a fairly unusual reason that Deb and Drew came to me when they were on the hunt for a wedding photographer. First was Deb and then there was her sister (and Matron of Honor) Lindsey. When she saw my name she had to get in touch. And then it turns out that my parents grew up with her parents so it seemed we were meant to work together! Their wedding was my first at the Omni Shoreham and what a wonderful venue! Full of history for those born and bred Washingtonians like myself. We lucked out with the weather, it was a gorgeous sunny day which allowed us to use the grounds of the hotel for first look and family photos before heading inside for the ceremony. There was a certain amount of chaos during the day courtesy of the adorable flower girls all under age 5. The ceremony started with the four girls coming down the aisle and stopping dead at the top of the runner where they proceeded to studiously drop all their flowers there. Eventually they made it down the walkway but it was a pretty funny scene. Another funny moment came courtesy of the groom. Deb and Drew are at the cake table doing the usual cutting and when it comes time to feed the bride some cake, Drew calls an audible and feeds himself! It caught everyone by surprise but Deb was laughing the hardest. The whole day was filled with tears and laughter.

It’s always a pleasure to work again with Janice Carnavale of Bellweather Events who made the day run so smoothly!

Wedding planner Janice Carnevale www.bellweatherevents.com

Omni Shoreham coordinator  Haydee Gamez/202-756-5164

Caterer Omni Shoreham Hotel

Florist Dever’s Design www.deversdesign.com

Hair Jessica Sarno/ Headlines Hair Design

Makeup Suellen Kay Totally Polished

Ceremony music Tim Metz- www.Timmymetz.com

Reception music Prime Time/Bialak’s Music

Cake Pastries By Randolph