A Day to Remember

This should be the title for all my weddings.  But I must say this was a truly unique wedding for me.  Not only was I able to photograph along side the highly esteemed Jon Canlas, I finally photographed a Mormon wedding.  For me, this was truly a unique experience.  I am LDS (Mormon), but I have never photographed an LDS wedding.  I know, it’s hard to believe.   

The day began at the Washington D.C. Temple which is situated along the 495 beltway in Maryland.  You can’t miss it.  Beautiful!  Very different from anything I have photographed and this is how: no photographs inside the Temple (which I know is standard) and everyone WANTED to be photographed outside in 30 degree weather… without coats and everything.  Not to mention that half the crowd was from Laguna Beach, California.  This wedding in so many ways was very different, but also very close to my roots.  In high school I worked at a little sandwich/yogurt shop along PCH in Laguna Beach! 

After the Temple we headed off to a very nice luncheon where there was food and many congratulatory speeches… toasts; without the bubbly.  After the luncheon we had several hours until we were to meet the bridal party and family for MORE outside photographs at the Mellon Auditorium.  Now everyone was dressed to the hilt and ready for an evening of fun and fabulous food.

They were not disappointed.  With a 20 piece band and food stations around the room (including a sushi bar) everyone’s tastes were satisfied… except for those who wanted a sip of wine with their meal.  This was a dry wedding.  One of the event coordinators talking with Jonathan and I mentioned in disbelief that there was no alcohol at the wedding.  “No one will dance and the evening will end early” she asserted.  We looked at each other with a smile and I said, “Well, ya know, people who don’t normally drink know how to have fun without alcohol”.  She quickly agreed that this must be true and that she had never thought about that.  I’m sure she was concerned for the non-LDS guests.  Well, the party went off without a hitch and everyone, I mean everyone, had a blast.  I found only a few stragglers (in a crowd of 400+) not dancing or engaged in lively conversation.  They are probably like me, people watchers, enjoying all the action.

Johnathan Canlas photographing the bride and groom at the Temple and my take

  

Beautiful couples and beautiful colors on this fall day

      

Brother of the groom goofing around

 

From the Temple to the Capitol

 

“It Had to be You…” sung by a little four year old girl… in front of a crowd this size?  She sang it twice, even

 

The Mellon Auditorium is an amazing place, the flowers were pretty amazing too 

 

I had so much fun at this wedding and was tickled to see a few friends I know from our time in Boston.