Weddings Archives - Page 5 of 17 - Deb Lindsey Photography

Wedding Engagement Season – Rings!

December 27, 2016/in Details, Rings, Weddings /by lindseydeb

It is officially wedding engagement season!! So what better time to look back at some of my recent wedding and engagement ring photos.

I’m not sure I knew before I became a wedding photographer that there was such a thing (I got engaged in August), but it begins around Thanksgiving and kicks into high gear between Christmas and New Year’s and then gets another bump at Valentine’s Day.

The way I approach wedding rings has changed over the years. When I first started in business in 2007, I considered it a success if I placed the rings into or next to some flowers. The shots were pretty and sometimes the flowers still make for a beautiful ring setting. But over the years I’ve tried to increase the degree of difficulty and make the photos more interesting and reflective of the wedding. English teachers who’s centerpieces are their favorite books means a ring photo between the pages of a novel. Alex and Mike’s rubber duckies dressed as bride and groom floating on the little stream that runs through Meadowlark Gardens were a natural prop for the rings. Another favorite at Meadowlark Gardens was Kim and Sandra’s matching wedding bands placed on Day of the Dead decorations incorporating their travel themed celebration.

I usually take the ring photos during the reception once the couple has been seated for dinner. That gives me time to play and to take advantage of some of the design elements of the wedding. I’ll look for interesting textures or highly reflective surfaces or even cool architectural elements. The trick is often getting the rings to balance upright or to make sure they’re perfectly aligned. A small video light and some makeshift reflectors (often white napkins) help to make the photos really pop. For couples who don’t have the rings ready, they can always consider options like custom handmade diamond engagement rings Melbourne for this event. They can also browse some sites like https://gemaandco.com/collections/round-moissanite-engagement-rings for more wedding and engagement ring options.

I love photographing all the details of the wedding day. Every decision made about the wedding tells me something about the couple and what’s important. So while I love all the moments, some good detail shots can also really help capture the day!

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Fall Carnegie Institution of Science wedding DC – Part Two

December 22, 2016/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

Abbie + Jon’s fall Carnegie Institution of Science DC wedding was a little rainy and overcast. The weather really allowed us to take full advantage of the building for portraits, both inside and out. Those giant dark studded doors on the portico are such a great backdrop. As is the light grey exterior of the building and those columns!!

The combination of the soft diffuse light and how much fun Abbie + Jon are together made for some sweet wedding day portraits.

After a few quiet moments together after the ceremony, the real party got started. After cocktails came emotional toasts from both sets of proud parents and the best men and maid of honor. Their first dance in the rotunda was surrounded by all their friends and family. That iconic floor took center stage and made for great overhead photos. I love to photograph dancing (especially the Hora) from that vantage point!

I loved the color palette of royal blue and gold with low white flower arrangements in the dining room. And the Treat Yo’ Self cookie table for dessert was a huge hit.

At the end of the night we went outside for a few night photos. One of my absolute favorites from the day came from that 10 minute break in the festivities. The real entrance to the Carnegie Institution for Science is on P St. and that brightly lit overhang makes for such a romantic night photograph. The 16th street steps are good too, but for me there’s something so classic about that front door photo.

There are so many reasons why I love a Carnegie Institution of Science DC wedding. I think the photos from Abbie + Jon’s day show exactly why it is one of my favorites and so classically Washington. Check out more of my real weddings and there’s lots more Carnegie images all over my website!

Wedding and Reception site: Carnegie Institution for Science, 1530 P St., NW, Washington, DC

Site coordinator Ana Lojanica, 202.939.1143

Caterer: Amit Gulati, Spilled Milk Catering, 202.525.6455

Florist: Philippa Tarrant Floral Designs, 202.363.7061

Hair and makeup Makeup: Alison Harper & Company, 301-979-8033

DJ Brennan Sullivan, Bialek’s DJ Services, 202.904.6577

Fall Carnegie Institution for Science wedding

December 17, 2016/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

As temperatures drop and 2016 comes to a close, I wanted to look back at Abbie + Jon’s beautiful fall Carnegie Institution for Science wedding in early October. Carnegie is one of my all time favorite places to photograph a wedding in DC in any season.

No matter the weather, you can make wonderful photos inside and outside the building. I’ve even photographed a wedding there in a hurricane! There’s the instantly recognizable rotunda, the marble columns and high ornate moldings throughout the building and that winding staircase!

The wedding day began with a little rain so we stayed under the portico for photos. Once the rain stopped, we moved to the steps and made one of my favorite photos–the boys socks reflected in a puddle.

Abbie took advantage of the grand staircase as she made her entrance down the aisle with her parents. Jon was waiting for her under their chuppah which itself was a work of art. It mimicked the floor of the rotunda and was made with material from family wedding dresses. They read their own vows and Jon successfully smashed the glass at the end of the ceremony which is always a good sign!

Today’s post looks at the preparation at nearby hotels, their first look in the upstairs library at Carnegie, the signing of the ketubah and the wedding ceremony. Check back later in the week and you’ll see the bride and groom portraits and the reception photos. And if you’re curious, there’s lots of other Carnegie weddings on the blog. Like Sarah + Danny and Dan + Mariana!

Wedding and Reception site: Carnegie Institution for Science, 1530 P St., NW, Washington, DC

Site coordinator Ana Lojanica, 202.939.1143

Caterer: Amit Gulati, Spilled Milk Catering, 202.525.6455

Florist: Philippa Tarrant Floral Designs, 202.363.7061

Hair and makeup Makeup: Alison Harper & Company, 301-979-8033

DJ Brennan Sullivan, Bialek’s DJ Services, 202.904.6577

Press – Washingtonian Bride & Groom blog post

December 13, 2016/in Gay Weddings, Same Sex weddings, Weddings /by lindseydeb

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I’m very excited to share today’s Washingtonian Bride & Groom blog post on Chris + Scott’s beautiful Meridian House wedding that I photographed this spring in DC. It was truly a wedding with everything, spectacular venue, perfect weather and a wonderful couple. The highlight of the day for me, both as a witness and a wedding photographer, was their ceremony. It was so emotional and personal. Just looking at Scott’s tears while Chris reads his vows, gets me every time. Special thanks to Kawania Wooten at HW Events who recommended me to the happy couple and who ran the whole day flawlessly!!

Make sure to check out my blog post earlier this year on this wonderful wedding!

Provincetown Massachusetts wedding (cont’d)

November 25, 2016/in Same Sex weddings, Weddings /by lindseydeb

Back to the Provincetown, Massachusetts wedding of Nick + Brendan, this time to focus on their romantic post-ceremony portrait session on the main street of town and on the beach and then onto their very fun reception.

The late day sun provided just the right lighting for a quick stop on Commercial Street amongst the weekend tourists and then we made our way to the beach for some alone time before joining cocktails at The Crown and Anchor. As disco balls glittered overhead, the couple and their wedding party danced their way into the dinner reception. They were followed by such sweet and emotional speeches by the fathers of the grooms and more tears flowed as the best men, women and siblings gave their toasts during dinner.

Then the dancing began. After about 16 years of being a wedding photographer, I feel like I’ve seen just about everything. Then Brendan’s family hit the dance floor waving napkins to the song “It’s Raining Men.” It’s a family tradition that started several weddings ago (it’s a big family!!) and it’s like being inside a whirlwind. And it made for some great photos. I really loved the available light images with the white blur. Another highlight from the dance floor was Brendan’s “Proud Mary” dance off. I hope someone captured that on video. It’s one of those instances where still photos couldn’t quite capture the energy but I had fun trying!!

I was so honored to document the day for Nick and Brendan and to photograph and explore new locations with such a wonderful couple. Check out some of my other favorite fall weddings!

Wedding and reception The Crown and Anchor

Flowers The New Provincetown Florist

Cake Far Land Provisions

Rings Nijiko Designs

Signage New Columbia Sign Company

Provincetown, Massachusetts wedding

November 19, 2016/in Same Sex weddings, Weddings /by lindseydeb

Nick + Brendan had such a wonderful wedding in Provincetown, Massachusetts on a glorious weekend in mid-September. The town is one of their favorites and and site of their engagement. And I just loved being there to document it for them.

Brendan and I go back almost five years and when we first met when he was my daughter’s high school ceramics teacher and just slightly more important, her first high school coach. I could go on and on about Brendan and how special he is as a teacher and a mentor to so many kids and how much my daughter loves him and how she insisted I take her along as an assistant to their Lincoln Memorial engagement session last fall. I was so happy to know Nick as well and to see how sweet they are as a couple.

As much as I like a wedding day first look, I really enjoy it when the couple gets ready in the same space. So many tender moments happen, like a kiss in the mirror or laughing/crying as they exchange gifts and even helping tie and tie or tuck in a shirt.

For the wedding portraits, I found a lush patch of green grass and flowers adjacent to the beach just outside the house they were staying; it turned out to be wonderful for photos (in other words the sun was in just the right place). A top priority for portraits for the couple was our trip to Pilgrim Monument, the exact spot where they became engaged more than a year before. For the history buffs, it’s also the spot where the Mayflower landed in 1620.

We then headed to the wedding and reception location, The Crown and Anchor, right in the heart of Provincetown on Commercial Street. The wedding took place on the sand just behind the inn and as the photos show, there were few dry eyes on the beach as the couple said their vows. Their nautical theme was perfect for their wedding ceremony and reception and the tiniest details, including their dog Juliet’s wedding outfit printed with whales, were not overlooked. Those details also include the rings (Brendan made Nick’s engagement ring!) and the ceramic vases (also Brendan-made) filled with white flowers that the women in the wedding party carried down the aisle.

Take a look at my other nautical-themed September destination wedding and stay tuned for more portraits and the reception photos from Nick + Brendan’s wedding coming on Wednesday!

Wedding and reception The Crown and Anchor

Flowers The New Provincetown Florist

Cake Far Land Provisions

Rings Nijiko Designs

Signage New Columbia Sign Company

St. Francis Monastery wedding sneak peek – Washington, DC

November 16, 2016/1 Comment/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

It is a good day as a DC wedding photographer to have a sunny 70 degree day in early November. Add in an early Sunday ceremony with a beautiful location like the St. Francis Monastery (one of Washington’s hidden gems!) and plenty of time to take some wedding day portraits while it was still light out. Did I mention it was peak weekend for fall foliage? J+J hit the jackpot and as their photographer I was doing my happy dance. Sunlight, love and color are some of my favorite things!

I just love fall weddings!! I can’t wait to share more of J+J’s wedding with you and with the happy couple. For now, check out some of my other recent DC area weddings. I’m off to edit the rest of their wedding!

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens wedding

November 7, 2016/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is such a beautiful place to have a wedding any time of year. The sunny almost fall Sunday that felt like summer, turned out to be perfect for Alex + Mike’s outdoor ceremony.

They shared their first look along the leaf-strewn path near the Garden’s Atrium and then we wandered the extensive grounds looking for pretty colors and beautiful light for their portraits and wedding party photos. We headed back to the patio for the traditional Jewish ceremony with lots of personal touches. Several friends and family members took part in the ceremony, telling stories about the couple and incorporating their love of books and history and even a poem about how they met.

From there the party really got started with a fun choreographed first dance, a rowdy Hora and lots of Bon Jovi to keep the dance floor packed! Topped off with a cupcake cutting and a bouquet toss, the evening ended with a sweet bubble sendoff.

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meadowlark-gardens-wedding-deb-lindsey-photography_67 Wedding and Reception Meadowlark Botanical Gardens 703-255-3631 x105 Ilka Morris

Caterer Great Blue Heron Catering 703-255-3631 ext. 104

Florist Karin’s Florist 703-592-0952

Hair and makeup Alina Karaman 202-257-2447

Cupcakes Cupcakes Actually 571-522-6315

Mackinac Island Michigan wedding

October 23, 2016/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

Mackinac Island was the first of my two destination weddings this September. I’d heard how beautiful it was but I’m not sure I was totally prepared for the uniqueness of the island and what a great backdrop it would provide for Nicole + Frank’s Labor Day weekend wedding. I arrived a couple days before the wedding day to get the lay of the land and take in all the island had to offer. A bike trip around the perimeter of the island on a spectacularly sunny day helped me get my bearings. There are no motorized vehicles allowed on the island and it’s been that way since 1898. So the choices are biking, walking or horse-drawn carriage. We did all three.

The entire wedding stayed at the reception venue, the Mission Point Resort on the south east end of the island. The whole place was scenic but it was hard to beat the views of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron almost no matter where you looked. We began the day at the spa on the grounds of the resort and after quick first look we took off all over town in a horse-drawn carriage to create bride & groom portraits. A special shout out to my roomie for the weekend (and fabulous 2nd shooter) Molly Riley who recommended me to her friend Nicole + Frank and as a Michigan native helped me navigate all weekend long (including where to find the best fudge!!). Carrying photo equipment and riding next to the driver of a horse drawn carriage is just a little precarious. But totally worth it. Some of my favorite photos from the day were when I had the couple walk down Main Street in their wedding gear. To say they got a reaction from the crowds as we made our way through town is an understatement. We also took full advantage of the majestic views all over the island. The ceremony was held in the Somewhere In Time Gazebo, famous from the movie of the same name that was filmed on the island in 1979 and overlooks the island at points through the trees. Officiated by the bride’s siblings, the ceremony was funny and emotional. Another carriage ride back to the hotel and the party began. The couple’s nautical theme was a perfect fit since they are avid sailors. And they really couldn’t have picked a more perfect location to tie the knot.

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Wedding venue Somewhere In Time Gazebo

Reception Mission Point Resort 906-847-3000

Florist St Ignace Greenhouse 906-643-9480

Hair and makeup Lakeview Salon 906-847-3000

DJ Northern Entertainment Consultants 517-505-2616

Cake Bella e Dolce 231-625-8232

Mandarin Oriental wedding – Washington, DC

September 28, 2016/in Weddings /by lindseydeb

It is not an exaggeration to say that Hiba + Matt’s Mandarin Oriental summer wedding in DC was a nonstop day of emotion, laughs and so many surprises! They were determined to give their guests an event they wouldn’t forget.

The Mandarin Oriental ballroom was transformed beautifully and guests sat at their tables to watch the ceremony unfold on a stage surrounded by flowers. The elegant pops of red were just the right touch. Officiated by family, the ceremony was lighthearted and funny. And then, the party!! The wedding party was escorted back into the ballroom by Lebanese drummers as a nod to the bride’s heritage. Yes, they did the traditional first dance but that was after two of the groomsmen “kidnapped” the bride but were foiled when Matt burst into the ballroom accompanied by the “Mission Impossible” theme. From that point on the dance floor was packed–led by the bride and groom who were terrific dancers. The final surprise came during the cake cutting. Did I mention it was a 7-foot cake by Buttercream Bakeshop?? Cut with a sword. And with confetti cannons firing? Or the bride and groom simultaneously tossing a bouquet and a football with a garter on it? Like I said, non-stop action and so many fun things to photograph.

With so many moving parts it’s critical that an extraordinary planner be the one behind the scenes. Kudos to Sara Bauleke at Belle Notte for making it all happen without a hitch.

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