Cailin & Ben | Black Horse Inn wedding | Warrenton, Virginia
Cailin and Ben were married on a stunning fall day at the picturesque Black Horse Inn in Warrenton, Virginia where there are, true to the name, actual black horses. These two pulled off a lovely celebration for their big, cheerful families. There were grandmothers tearing up and plenty of grandkids to hold their hands, beers straight out of the can, quality cigars, a rockin' band and even a sky full of stars. Cailin and Ben:
Told you it was beautiful. Cailin and her ladies got ready in the main house.
While the boys spent some time in the cellar getting spiffy.
You all know I'm not much for dress shots but when I have a scene like this, I'm sort of compelled to use it. Also, Cailin just being straight beautiful.
A little first-look action before tromping around the grounds for a bit (the grounds making my job super ridiculously easy).
The lovely folks at the Inn brought the horses out for us and they promptly wandered off.
Until the owner came on by and called them over with seemingly magical powers.
Guests arrived, many hugs were exchanged, and then it was go time.
Pretty sure I'd be happy to shoot at this venue for the rest of my life.
One of my favorite images from this wedding. I love when family portrait turns instantaneously into mini-tableau, a little slice-of-life.
And then they packed the dance floor all night.
Boom.
Congratulations you guys!
Cailin and Ben's vendor team:
Getting-ready, ceremony and reception venue: Black Horse Inn
Catering: Claire's (Warrenton, VA)
Band: Snackbar Jones (Virginia Beach)
Florist: Rick's Flowers
Officiant: Kenneth Knapp
Hair & Makeup: Hair & Faces by Lisa (ask me)
One of the best things about photographing weddings in DC is the remarkable variety and diversity of the events I witness - between venues and cultures and family traditions, more likely than not each wedding shows me something new. I had never seen any element of a traditional Cambodian wedding before. It was fun and a little crazy!
There are a number of different ceremonies that can all take place on the same day (as here). Pisei and Alex had four separate beautiful outfits to wear.
We started really early so these monks could come bless our heroes.
Rocking the suburbs.
In one of the ceremonies, Alex's family had to come with a bunch of presents for Pisei's family. They bargained over what the price would be to let them marry.
They literally had to turn around so that everybody could 'make sure' it was the real Pisei.
A short break for some really stellar food.
Another of the ceremonies involves everyone at the event "cutting" the bride and groom's hair.
Finally, in outfit #4, these two were married.
They kept eating and talking and hosting and I went on home to rest up for the next day at 
It was a really beautiful day.
I do love me some gray and yellow.
We had to scoot to the next dock over, but we win in the end because it was a way better dock. We stole the very last rays of evening light...
...before these two got to boogeying.
Their friends and family put together a flash mob!
Alex's grandma was pretty great. She can wobble with the best of 'em.
Congratulations, you guys!
Pisei and Alex's vendor team:
Cambodian wedding ceremony: At Pisei's family home with so much work from family and friends
Western wedding ceremony and reception: 
I'm a big fan of the new marriage ceremony room. It's more symmetrical than the other one. Margaret and Scott scored the good one.
I don't know them very well, but I'm pretty sure these two people are in love.
We paused on the Mall for celebratory drinks.
Congratulations, you guys!