Erin and Patrick are going to rock out the big dress, big ballroom, party-for-everyone-we-know a little later on this year. But sometimes life (or bureaucracies) dictate that you have to go to the courthouse a little early. And if you're going to do that, you might as well bring along your photographer and rock out a courthouse/engagement session duo of awesomeness. So they did.
In Arlington, you don't get married in an actual courthouse, but in a lawyer's office across the way. Apparently two dudes in the basement duke it out for couples (I'd photographed weddings at the other guy's office - this was my first time on this side).
Some lawyer's offices are cooler than others.
After their short ceremony, I took the newlyweds across the way to Bayou, where they were promptly given free beignets.
It was pretty cold, and raining, so we went underground.
Woo!
This is one of my favorite ways to do portraits - just wandering around an area, looking for cool spots. We finished up our photo time in the entrance to a parking garage.
Congratulations Erin and Patrick! I'll see you guys again soon for the big shindig!
After the unbelievably brief ceremony, we hustled outside in the super-frigid air to do some quick family photos outside. About five minutes of that, and we were practically running for the library.
And that was fine, because it was an awesome library.
Finally, I can't post this shot without giving credit to Roberto Valenzuela. I saw him speak at a wedding photography conference a couple weeks ago and he had an image with the same concept. It was sort of a mistake when it happened, but I just went with it, and liked it better than what I had in mind anyway.
Congratulations Allison & Mark! Keep the good times rolling.
But first, K & O rocked the courthouse.
I've got a new proposal for couples wanting photos with the monuments - the National Gallery of Art! No permit needed (okay technically not true, but I've never been harassed on the Mall, unlike every experience I've had trying to photograph couples on/near the monuments). It's historic, beautiful and looks a heck of a lot like the "classic" DC scenes.
Congratulations you guys!