Mattie and Justin got married at
ThorpeWood in Thurmont, Maryland - a drop-dead-gorgeous setting for one heck of a wedding. Mattie cried all day long, she and Justin made out like crazy and her mom even got in a Wendell Barry quote. Also: composting toilets (really! ThorpeWood has composting toilets!), a million pennant flags cut out from maps and a "pine cathedral" (seriously). Mattie and Justin:
I got a little confused when I first arrived and ended up using my venue scouting time literally hiking up switchbacks. On the plus side, I communed with nature.
Thorpewood's getting-ready space is actually a locker-room-type shower area. Otherwise, it's perfect!
Apparently there are scads of ceremony options at the place, but Mattie and Justin went with the old pine cathedral. Not a bad choice, really.
Mattie losing her 'ish.
Making out after the ceremony.
Still making out.
We had an actual golf cart escort to drive us around the property and all the lovely spots to do portraits.
I went rogue and disregarded things like ponds, barns and gazebos in favor of amazing afternoon light...
...and this killer pine grove (Brenizer, 14 images, I believe).
And then, bless their hearts, they humored me by walking down to the creek, through actual woods, so we could get this shot (and the first image in the post). I could leave you with the impression I'm such a bad-ass, I got in the water, but it's not true - a big rock was jutting out into the stream.
ThorpeWood has a delightful lodge feel.
One of my favorites ever. Flower girls checking out the scene from the loft. Unscripted, I promise!
Rocking the casbah, as it were.
Congratulations, you guys!
Mattie and Justin's vendor team:
Ceremony and reception venue:
ThorpeWood
Catering:
Canapés Catering
DJ:
DJ D-Mac
Florist:
Willow Oak Flower & Herb Farm
Cake:
A Touch of Icing Bakery (Waddington, NY)
Cider:
Kaneb Orchards
Hair & Makeup:
Structures Salon (Frederick, MD)
Mattie's beautiful dress: Tara Keely from
Katherine's Bridal Boutique (Alexandria)
Mattie's shoes: Corso Como
Justin's dashing suit:
Alton Lane (DC)
One awesome thing about the Rockville courthouse over DC is that you can shoot throughout the building. In DC you're not allowed to take photos outside the ceremony room, so you miss all the little bits.
I've been seeing peonies everywhere. I've decided I love them. Katy made this bouquet.
They handed out American and French flags to their friends and families.
We had talked about going to Brookside Gardens afterward, but our timing was off a bit. Then we rerouted to Glen Echo Park but got lost on the way. When I went to turn the car around, we pulled into this charming little lock (#8?) and decided to just get out and do portraits here. It super worked.
Past clients of mine will recognize the "drag him along" pose. These two took it to a new comedic level.
And also gave me the goods.
Julien saving Katy and her dress from this incredibly muddy dog. He was a good dog - no jumping at all.
Congratulations, you guys!
The gentlemen started the day at 
...while the ladies got prettified at the 
Many thanks to Marie for coming out for this one.
It was Rolling Thunder that day, so we made it to the church just in time.
I've never seen a couple get a letter from the Pope before.
Roberto's mother arranged for these awesome fancy old cars to take Kelly and Roberto around the city.
They projected old-timey music out of the back, so we were a rolling party. It turned a lot of heads.
Such a convenient boat painted with Georgetown.
Portraits done, rings on, they headed to Sequoia to dance the night away.
I knew it was going to be a great night when the entire wedding got up and danced like this in-between courses. I've also never seen that at a wedding!
I can't help it. The sparkly things are so sparkly.
Possibly the most hilarious grandpa I've photographed. Yes, that is his handicapped placard.
They danced like this all night.
Congratulations, you guys!
Kelly and Roberto's vendor team:
Ceremony venue: