I think that if I ever get married, I want a very small wedding with only my closest friends and family around. I’ve attended so many awesome weddings, but there is something about the intimacy of a small wedding that really appeals to me. Julie and Joe officially wed in a small backyard ceremony in their hometown. Now that they live in Baltimore, they gathered their family and friends from around the country to help them celebrate their union. The ceremony, where they exchanged a vintage wedding ring and a bicycle chain (!) took place in the cozy rooftop dining room of the Peabody Court Hotel with a 180 degree view of Mt. Vernon.

As Michele would say “Who-da thunk it?” My very own friend and second shooter, Michele Holcombe, is now Michele Conaway!!!!

Michele found her prince and I’m especially pleased to make this post because I can’t think of anyone I’m happier for. The two lovebirds were each other’s first loves and even attended each other’s proms. After years of separation, they found each other again. Their first meeting after several years only helped re-ignite the fires of their youthful love affair. Watching the two of them proves that love lasts and they are still head over heels for each other.

The couple decided to celebrate their union at a private ceremony and invited her closest friends (including moi!) for a reception at McCormick & Schmicks. Then Michele got to be the photo subject as I chased the two of them around the pier for post-celebration photos. I don’t know Jason well (yet!) but I can tell that they’re an ideal pair. He’s tall, cool and handsome, but still relaxed enough to laugh at Michele’s sassy jokes and tell some of his own.

Congratulations to you both!

Wendy and Donald’s relationship gives me proof that true romance still exists. Watching the two of them journey toward the same life goals warms my heart and spirit. Congratulations to you both!

Wedding Coordination: Blush Wedding & Event Planning Firm

You remember that gorgeous week in May when the sun was shining, the weather was perfect and there were big fluffy clouds in the sky… then it rained on the weekend? That’s the weekend Jasmyn and Jade got married! In fact, they were scheduled to have an outdoor wedding! These two are so happy and calm that the clouds couldn’t steal the shine of their day. The love bubble that they created over the Gramercy Mansion was enough to keep the showers away until after the ceremony and it cleared up enough for us to take a few portraits during the reception.

Kim and Ziah celebrated their 1 year anniversary on April 11th. From what I can tell, the honeymoon is certainly not over. I sent Kim a happy anniversary text and I could physically feel her smiling through the phone! 

The ceremony was both traditional and non traditional. Prior to the ceremony, Kim recited an insanely moving poem to her soon to be husband. They performed a traditional African tasting ceremony where they tasted bitters and sweets to represent the ups and downs of years to come. They are both artists (he leads the MOST awesome Reggae band, Proverbs and Kim is a poet, director, jewelry artist, seamstress…etc etc.) and their beautiful ceremony reflected their creativity. From the drumming and African dance to the live band at the reception-it was so unique! Speaking of the reception, they are vegans and their food was delicious! I HAVE to know who made that vegan wedding carrot cake. It was the best I’ve ever had!

I’ve known Kim a very long time and I can say that I have never seen her smile more or be more at peace than when she is with her King! I can only hope to be blessed with a happy union like theirs one day. Happy Anniversary Ziah and Kim! Read more about their wedding day on the first wedding blog I posted about them.

I was lucky enough to take photos for The Wedding Library on Charles Street last week. It was like a dream come true because I got to look at gorgeous gowns and work with a flawless model. I might have even found my dream dress! *sigh* I need to ask the ladies at TWL where they came from again so I can just go and peruse.

Here is one of my favorite shots from the shoot. It was freezing that day and the models didn’t even look like it was cold. I’ll be posting more soon!

It was a perfect day in Alexandria, Virginia when Joe and Dione got married. The sun made it’s grand appearance just in time for Joe and the fellas to make the two-block trip to the chapel on foot. It made another glorious appearance in the evening and presented one of the most beautiful sunsets of the summer.

She likes them! She likes them! 

I sat in the living room with my business partner Michele and the bride and groom enjoying a bagel with avocado and vegan cream cheese spread. I was nervous as H-E-double-hockey-sticks to show the couple the photos from their wedding, even though I knew they rocked. I wasn’t concerned about the image quality or the presentation that Michele & I worked hard to put together. It’s just that you want the newlyweds to be overjoyed when they see their photos for the first time.

There’s an extra dose of nerves when the bride and groom are accomplished artists and a double-whammy when the bride is a good friend. Thankfully, the photos were gorgeous-due in part to an incredibly attractive couple and a beautiful ceremony. Thank you Ziah & Kim for letting us share in your day!

My co-worker/manager Lisa got married recently and I was asked (along with another co-worker) to shoot her wedding. Naturally, I accepted and just as naturally, I was nervous. Not only was this my second formal wedding to shoot ever, but my success could earn me brownie points and accolades at work.

Lisa is a production manager and gave us VERY detailed instructions for the day. LOL! But it was a blessing because there were so many blended families and so many activities going on at the same time. I would have felt awful if something was missed!

I think I got some really great shots. The one in the limo is my favorite.

See more photos from their wedding at http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/thumbpage.aspx?e=4311413