I thought Meredith & Matt really deserved to have a beautiful wedding day given the bravery of choosing a mid-November date.  So when the big day dawned and the weather was unseasonably gorgeous, I felt so happy for them!  Meredith & Matt’s wedding was tinged with a beautiful vibrant shade of pink, which gave everything a wonderfully celebratory feel.  Their reception at The Fairfax at Embassy Row Hotel near Dupont Circle was so much fun – we were thrilled to be a part of it!

Wedding Planning: Laura Ritchie of Events in the City

Hair: Beautiful Hair by Beverly

Makeup: Kim Giammaria of Beauty Mark

Dress: Watters

Ceremony: St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church in Washington, DC

Florist: Da Vinci’s Florist

Reception: The Fairfax at Embassy Row Hotel

Music: NightLife Band

Cake: Fluffy Thoughts

Cupcakes: Georgetown Cupcake

Kelly & Dan are two of the sweetest, nicest people that you will ever meet!  I’ve enjoyed every minute that we’ve spent in person (check out their engagement session from April) and over the phone and I was so happy to see them so happy on their wedding day!  Being a photographer, I meet so many really interesting people and when I come across folks like these, I can’t help but appreciate their graciousness, sincerity and cheerfulness.  So Kelly & Dan – thank you guys for being so awesome!

These two lovebirds were married at a gorgeous old church in Chevy Chase, MD and then whisked all around DC, ending the day with a fabulous reception at Sequoia, right on the Georgetown waterfront.  Kelly got ready at her cousin’s home in Chevy Chase with her bridesmaids and then she and Dan had a few minutes to themselves before they were due at the church.

Ceremony Location: Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church

Florist: Da Vinci’s Florist

Reception Location: Sequoia, Georgetown – Washington, DC

DJ: Steve Hoffman – Good Note DJs

Love this shot of all these beautifiers at work on Kelly at one time!

It was so sweet when Kelly’s mom came in!

I loved how Kelly’s bridesmaids had these gorgeous and elegant dresses accompanied by all different and unique necklaces - très chic!

The flowers, by Da Vinci’s Florist, were just gorgeous.  Gotta love those mango calla lillies!

Popping out the champagne!

I don’t normally post family formals on the blog but this shot of Kelly and her flower girl was just too cute!

Sequoia, looking gorgeous as always!  I love shooting here because the staff are awesome (I mean, really awesome, I’m not just saying that) and no matter what the decor – grand or simple, dramatic or elegant – the space always looks amazing and everyone has a fantastic time.

Some of my favorite ever first dance shots.  These two were so cute together with the smiling and the laughing and the googly eyes – just the way it should be!  It couldn’t pick just one.  Have I mentioned how excited I am for these guys?!

Okay, check out the little heart someone drew on the window behind the sweetheart table.  Oh I love it!

Ok, so towards the end of the night, we were wrapping up and packing up our equipment to take to the car.  I ran back upstairs to the main area to grab a couple more things and this is what was going on.  How could I leave?!  They are so cute!  Talk about one very big, very happy family!  Everyone should be so lucky!

Best wishes in all the world you guys!  I know you will have an absolutely amazing and wonderful life together!

I recently spent a lovely evening with Alicia & Luke, who are getting married in their home state of Iowa next year.  We stayed right around Senate Park in Washington, DC and just lollygagged about in the gorgeous fading sunlight.  Alicia & Luke have a marvelous chemistry between them – they joked and laughed the entire time and were so completely at ease together.  Congratulations you two!

Jenny & Sam are getting married in Iowa next year, but they live here in DC and wanted some engagement shots in their new “hometown.”  These two are HUGE Nationals fans and are lucky enough to have a friend with pull who got them onto the field during batting practice!  So we did an extra long shoot and had fun all over the place!  Between Nationals Field, the Southwest Waterfront area, Senate Park by the Capitol and Jenny’s variety of fantastic shoes, there was so much to look at – a photographer’s dream!  Sam & Jenny are such a hoot and have so much fun together – it’s hard not to be swept away by their sense of humor.

Just for the record, this mock proposal shot was not Jenny’s, Sam’s or my idea – it was the idea of the folks standing behind us!  They were highly amused by all the engagement session shenanigans and insisted!

And we were all amused when Rodriguez turned around and smiled for the camera!!

I love this series – so cute!

I have been so excited about Katie & Steve’s wedding ever since getting to know them during their engagement session last fall.  Katie is truly one of the happiest and sweetest people I’ve ever met and Steve is such a perfect match for her!  After getting ready at the Crowne Plaza in downtown DC, we had a blast running around the block and grabbing pictures here and there.  The ceremony was at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Arlington and then we headed back up to DC for some more fun photos with the whole wedding party near the Capitol and Senate Park.  It was a whirlwind of a day that ended with a fantastic celebration at Old Ebbitt Grill, one of the most beautiful venues in DC!

It was sooo windy out, Katie had a tough time keeping her veil under control!

First we figured we’d just grab a quick shot in front of the fire truck……

……but when the fireman invited us in, Katie & Steve were all for it!

I loved these little details from the ceremony.  Steve’s nephew was the ring bearer, or, as he told Katie & Steve, the “ring master!”

Gorgeous flowers from Growing Wild Floral Co in Alexandria!

We had 40 seconds while the light was red – luckily Katie & Steve’s friends and family were game for anything!

When Katie & Steve ran out for a shot of just the two of them, a fire truck suddenly pulled out and started roaring down the street.  We only got this quick shot before they had to rush out of the way!

When I said that Katie & Steve’s wedding party were up for anything, I wasn’t kidding!  Love these folks!

Katie’s battle with the wind wasn’t over yet….

Gorgeous details at the reception at Old Ebbitt Grill.  I loved the guest book Katie made from her engagement photos.  She’s a painter and she embellished the photos with hand-drawn artwork, it was so cute!

Everyone did a little dance when they were introduced and Katie & Steve were definitely no exception!

Katie & Steve’s first dance was so sweet!  And the music and DJ’ing by Ed Witles was fantastic!

The toasts were such a mixture of laughter and tears!  When Steve’s brother gave his toast, he had all sorts of funny stories.  He kept handing little cards to Steve & Katie as he spoke.  I don’t know what was written on the cards, but judging from Katie’s face as she read them, it was definitely something hysterical!

Pickle shots anyone?  Katie & Steve, it was an honor – thank you for including me and congratulations!