Sara & Aleko | Saint Sophia Greek wedding | Washington, DC

I met Sara and Aleko at an APW book signing and we've been rocking ever since.  Sara was incredibly awesome in writing me a review before I even photographed her, so of course I had to pull out all the stops for her wedding.  But the stops, my friends, were pulled for me.  Because, seriously.  This was my first time photographing a Greek wedding and it was cuh-razy.  In fact, I'm a little upset because a) it's too late for me to have a Greek wedding and b) none of my relatives would have a prayer of pulling off these dances.  Yeah, and then they broke plates on the dance floor.  Y'all, Sara and Aleko: epic greek dancing in washington dc They got ready in their apartment near Eastern Market and Sara's best lady's apartment, directly downstairs. getting ready at home washington dc wedding getting ready at home in washington dc First look on the balcony! first look on washington dc rooftop first look in washington dc Your first glimpse at what these folks are really like.  Yes, they are fake slapping each other during their first look. bride and groom fake fighting Dayum lady! beautiful bride in washington dc groom outside the church in washington dc saint sophia greek orthodox church Many thanks to the always fabulous Ayesha Ahmad for coming out to shoot this one with me. bride with her dad before she walks down the aisle saint sophia greek orthodox church wedding They don't call it a cathedral for nothing. wedding at saint sophia greek orthodox church washington dc greek wedding photography  saint sophia greek orthodox church wedding photographer saint sophia greek orthodox church wedding photography greek orthodox wedding photography  walking around the table at saint sophia greek orthodox church leaving the altar at saint sophia greek orthodox church hugs at saint sophia greek orthodox church father of the groom greeting guests at saint sophia greek orthodox church taking shots outside kellari taverna We did bride and groom portraits half a block down from their reception at Kellari Greek Taverna on K Street.  Truth is, I love shooting in urban areas.  Sara and Aleko look like they're about to own Washington.  Cuz they are. washington dc wedding photography by amber wilkie wedding photography on k street crossing the street in bridal attire kellari greek taverna wedding photography wedding photography at kellari taverna reading vows at washington dc restaurant washington dc wedding in a restaurant first dance in washington dc greek restaurant first dance at kellari greek taverna First dance over, it was time for everybody to get their groove on, Greek-style.  This includes choreographed dancing in circles, holding napkins between hands, foot slapping and throwing money.  I learned it's traditional to throw money at the bride and groom or their family if you want to dance with them.  By the end of this, the ground was covered in bills.  It. was. awesome. throwing money during washington dc greek wedding greek dancing at wedding greek dancing at washington dc wedding And then they started breaking plates. breaking plates at washington dc wedding "drunken man dance" groom dancing at washington dc greek wedding crazy dance party at washington dc greek wedding bride and her mom dancing at greek wedding hugging after the drunken man dance at washington dc greek wedding dance party madness at greek wedding in dc kellari tavern closed for private event This guy is so so so great.  This is where my I-want-a-Greek wedding falls apart.  No one in my family can do this. crazy greek dancing in washington dc washington dc greek wedding dance party to end all dance parties in washington dc This happened as I was leaving. taking shots at a greek wedding Congratulations, Sara & Aleko! Sara & Aleko's sweet vendor team: Ceremony: Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church Reception and catering: Kellari Taverna DJ: Tommy Gatz Florist: Surroundings Floral Sara's ridiculously stunning dress: Betsy Robinson, Baltimore Aleko's suit: Nordstrom Cupcakes: Hello Cupcake (also the site of part of their engagement session!)