wedding

Since I am typically not photographing weddings this time of year, I thought I would share some of my favorite things from weddings of the past. 

One of the most successful, and unique, small weddings (30-50 people) that I photographed was at an orchard in Massachusetts, north west of Boston. 

The couple had decided to mix up the traditional order of the day.  They had the cocktail hour begin the day, followed by portraits, the ceremony, and end with dinner.  The cocktail hour was enjoyed by the guests along with the bride and groom.  After a quick family photo session the ceremony began.  Rather than have a processional, all the guests walked to the ceremony site on the lawn beside the house.  A beautiful view and gorgeous sunset set the tone for the ceremony.  After the rings were exchanged, the vows were made and sealed with a kiss.  Once the ceremony was over the group made their way to the house and sat to a gourmet meal accompanied with the orchard’s fine wine.

What was most unique about this wedding was the fact that both the bride and groom were always with their guests, celebrating side-by-side with their favorite people.  It was very sweet to have the bride and groom hug their family and friends after the ceremony rather than marching off to be seen again after the cocktail hour.  Quite unique and not necessarily for everyone, but a rather successful day.

Walking to the ceremony with their guests

A big congratulatory hug

The moon rising on the way to dinner

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.

Is October almost over??!!  Time has gotten away from me.  Between making costumes to shooting lots and lots I have gotten trapped in a time-warp. 

Anyway, I had such a good time at my last wedding.  I absolutely love that we were able to sneak away from the reception site to take a few photos along side a pasture.  Too bad we were not equipped with sugar cubes to lure the horses.  Note to self: always have something to temp the livestock to come closer!  Argh.  BUT I must say it was an adventure worth the extra time.  The photos are beautiful and the horses, no matter how far away, made us all smile.

I must say that I have never been to a wedding with so many photographers.  I think there were 4 others snapping away during the group portraits.  It’s nice to know someone’s got my back.  Hey, I even got a pic of myself with the bride a groom because of it.  I want to see that one! 

Lovely evening at the Beechtree Golf Club in Aberdeen, MD.  Great folks there… very good service!  Here are just a few.

 

I love this look:

This is my electric car.  Not as luxurious as a limo but a very quite ride…

Did I mention that mom had a camera too??  She was shooting while walking!  Next wedding I’m in, you’ll see me doing the same!

I love morning weddings; they are perfect.  I love the wide-brimmed hats worn by the ladies and you can’t beat the light!  If you are planning a daytime wedding with a tent I suggest finding a translucent, white tent.  This will allow the light to pass through the white material perfectly.  I love translucent tents!  In my second year of photographing weddings I had a couple who had two tents; one white tent for eating under and another dark blue tent with star cut-outs to dance under.  It was a great way to bring the illusion of night to a daytime wedding.  Visit the gallery to see the spread (highlighted in The Knot’s Wedding Pages).  From there you can visit a gallery with even more images.

Who needs  a tent when you’ve got a mansion in Rockville, MD.  Glenview Mansion to be exact.  This is where my latest wedding was held.  What a great place.  The grounds are classic; old stone walls and stairways, beautifully manicured hedges, and a fountain.  Inside there are nice, big windows and even a beautifully enclosed balcony to photograph in if it’s too wet outside.  Perfect.  I wish every venue had a great back-up place to photograph.  But if they did, I’d get lazy.  It’s all part of the challenge to make something out of nothing. 

Here are a few photographs from Ann and Marlon’s wedding.  Everyone had a great time in the rambling mansion; with cushy chairs, couches, even a dining room table!  Plenty of space for this 160 person party.  Thanks to the team from Soiree, the day went very smoothly.