Debbie and Ben were married at one of my favorite venues in the region,
Woodend Nature Sanctuary. They said their vows under a beautiful chuppah hand-made by Debbie's mom, then absolutely destroyed the hora. These two have such a sweet, calm vibe:
Ben and his guys started the day at the
Residence Inn Bethesda Downtown and they had some time to kill, so they played a few rounds of cards.
Debbie got ready at home with her family and a couple close friends.
There is a wall in Debbie's childhood home filled with her family's wedding images. I took this picture for Debbie but I also took it for me, because this is the most important part of what I do - documenting a piece of history that fits into a larger narrative about our lives. It's very humbling and exciting to start the day knowing I will make an image that will hang on this wall.
I love Woodend because it's got great big spaces and beautiful light and a seriously amazing grove to get married in. But my very favorite thing about Woodend is this wall of taxidermied birds. Some of them are extinct.
Woodend has made huge improvements to the bridal suite since I was last there. Used to be small and ugly and now it's ridiculously pretty, with this huge antique-looking mirror right in the middle of the room.
This is neat. Debbie didn't want her dress to be so heavy, so she had the seamstress remove the material under the lace overlay, so that you can see through the dress at the train part. It was so pretty running over the grass and such.
One of the sweetest first looks of all time.
Debbie's mom
quilted this chuppah.
This image occurred to me with one circle left to spare. I changed my settings as quickly as possible, guessing on exposure and let her rip. It makes me happy.
In Jewish tradition, the bride circles the groom for protection. Debbie and Ben circled each other, then took the last circle together.
The second kiss, the one where everybody is looking elsewhere.
I normally make people put down their glasses for formal photos, but the gentleman on the left wanted to keep his, so Pop asked for his glass back.
And then it was time for one of my all-time favorite things to photograph, the hora. Debbie and Ben did it especially well.
This was something I hadn't seen before. The mezinka is a dance honoring parents celebrating the wedding of their last unmarried child.
Congratulations, you guys!
Debbie & Ben's vendor team:
Coordination:
Glow Weddings & Events
Ceremony & reception venue:
Woodend Nature Sanctuary
Caterer:
Festive Foods
Band:
Gonzo's Nose
Ceremony musicians: friends
Officiant: Rabbi Jack Luxemburg
Florist:
Yellow Door
Cutting cake:
Praline Bakery
Hair: Barbara Kirby
Makeup:
Hollie Hornstein
Debbie's dress:
Betsy Robinson, James Clifford Collection
Ben's suit: Men's Warehouse
We started the day at Marriott Residence Inn Courthouse.
A quick bus ride across town and we arrived at St. Charles Borromeo to get these crazy kids married.
Clarendon Day had sucked up all the available portrait space in the city, so we took a few quick shots with the trees outside the church, then headed up to the roof. Just as I was getting out my lights to fake some rim light, the sun came out!
They made a puzzle guestbook! I'd never seen my photos used for a puzzle before - super neat.
Sometimes you have to make a gif.
This is mimed jumprope.
I'm just going to go ahead and declare glow stick exits an improvement over sparkler exits. They don't burn out and no one gets hurt. And they're pretty.
Congratulations, you guys!
Kaitlin and Andrew's vendor team:
Coordinator: Vicky Choy, Event Accomplished
Ceremony venue: St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church
Reception venue: Clarendon Ballroom
Getting-ready venue: Marriott Residence Inn Courthouse
Caterer: Clarendon Ballroom
Florist: Growing Wild
DJ: Anthony Simpson, MyDeeJay
Transportation: ING Limo
Lighting: John Farr Lighting
Hair & Makeup: Glam on the Go
Kaitlin's dress: Hannelore's
Andrew's suit: J. Crew
We started the day at the 
I was very lucky to have the talented 
Did I ever tell you about the time I forgot my rolling camera bag with something like $10k worth of gear inside just sitting in that little courtyard across from the Willard? Yeah, that happened. We did first look and a handful of portraits and then got in a cab to head to Montrose Park for their reception. As we're getting out, I realize I completely forgot my camera bag with all my other gear. A true testament to how cool Jen and Scott are, they sat patiently - waiting to go to their own ceremony - while I called the bellhop guys at the Willard, who retrieved my bag and who I later tipped every cent I had on me. Fortunately, it was a little bit of a stroll to their ceremony site, so I could let my heart settle back down out of my throat and catch a few photos of Jen and Scott arriving.
The one thing I didn't have for this wedding - having forgotten that rolling bag - was my super-long lens. I'm so glad Ayesha had hers - she took some really beautiful close-ups.
"Someone say something inappropriate," is a cue I give all the time to get formal groupings laughing and interacting. It's more effective some times vs. others.
Fully wedded, we scooted over to 
Jen's brother taking liberties with the bar.
Jen trying oysters for the first time.
Sometimes the cool scene is the hallway to the bathroom.
We stopped by Lower Senate Park for a handful more portraits in the new digs, before rolling on to 
Congratulations you guys!
Jen and Scott's vendor team:
Brunch venue: