Category: **Weddings

Caroline & David: Married! | Woodend Nature Sanctuary

Probably five minutes after I arrived at Woodend Nature Sanctuary to help photograph Caroline and David's wedding with the fabulous Tara Welch, I decided that it was my favorite venue in DC.  You'll see shortly that the guys' getting-ready room features an entire wall (actually three walls) of taxidermied birds.  How weird!  How wonderful!  And then I met Caroline and David. wedding photographer Amber Wilkie These two radiated passion.  You know how when you're with two people that are so madly in love you can almost feel it coming off them and it's maybe a little embarrassing to be so close to them kissing because they are obviously really into it?  That and they did some awesome Latin dancing.  It was hot up in there, folks.  But first, the dead birds. woodend nature sanctuary and deer woodend nature sanctuary groomsmen with the taxidermied birds groom tying his tie father of the bride in the woodend library One of David's groomsmen bought him this impressive-ass Johnny Walker Blue Label King George V scotch.  They were throwing around all kinds of crazy talk like this bottle of alcohol cost hundreds of dollars.  Quite a fancy gift, right?  It came in a big blue box with accoutrements. super expensive whiskey whiskey on a bookshelf at woodend I love the hell out of this shot of David.  Isn't he dapper? groom at the library at woodend nature sanctuary deer at woodend nature sanctuary in chevy chase, md It threatened to rain while they were getting ready but they decided to go for the ceremony in the grove and I'm soooo glad they did.  This was an amazing setting for a wedding ceremony.  The trees lining the grove were too cool. wedding ceremony in the grove at woodend And they had deer behind them while they said their vows.  How much more magical could a wedding possibly get? musician and deer at woodend grove bride and father coming down the aisle at woodend hanging glass at wedding reception wedding ceremony in the woodend grove caroline and david are officially married! I cannot thank Tara enough for letting me tag along for the couple portraits.  These two are gorgeous and I'm so happy to share these images with you! wedding flats pink and white flower bouquet beautiful bride at woodend in chevy chase, md bride and groom portraits at woodend gorgeous wedding in chevy chase, maryland bride and groom portrait at woodend nature sanctuary holding hands at woodend bride and groom walking in black and white bride and groom kissing with deer in the background groom kissing bride with woodend in background bride with bridesmaids groom with groomsman Their bird-themed decor fit right in with the Audubon nature center. name card and table bouquet table decor at woodend nature sanctuary mother of the bride bustling the dress They hired a live Latin band to play ridiculously danceable music for the first part of their ceremony.  It really fired up the dance floor. bride dancing with father of the groom at woodend dancing at the wedding reception bride and groom dancing at woodend And then, because I was second shooting and wasn't obligated to anyone, I snuck outside to steal a few images of the grounds and the reception. woodend nature sanctuary covered in mist wedding reception at woodend nature sanctuary Thanks again to Caroline, David and Tara for having me along.  Congratulations you two!
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by Amber Categories: **WeddingsTags: , ,

Nabila & Navid: Married! | Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace

The groom came in on a horse. Just wanted to let that one sink in, because it was just the start of the awesomeness of Nabila and Navid's Bangladeshi wedding at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace. The outrageously talented Ayesha Ahmad had me along to second shoot their very beautiful Muslim ceremony. I got to see all kinds of traditions (always a special treat for me) and shoot this incredibly awesome groom-comes-in-on-a-horse thing. I'm going to suggest it to all my grooms - definitely a way to make an impression! wedding photographer Amber Wilkie groom's attendants dancing together groom on a horse triptych black and white photo of groom on horse groom dances on a horse father of the groom dances bengali groom surrounded by crowd This hotel is right by the big tourist mall on the Baltimore harbor and so there were tons of tourists around, a bunch just standing staring at Navid and the procession. You don't see this every day! bengali groom comes in on a horse little girl watches groom on horse This was by far the biggest wedding I have ever photographed. I asked Ayesha to estimate how many guests there were and her answer was 600! Nabila and Navid's families really know how to throw a party! renaissance baltimore harborplace grand ballroom And they've got pretty sweet decorating skills as well. Each table had beautiful purple and blue mini peacocks on little branches. reception details with blue peacocks When it was time for the ceremony to start, Navid's friends and family had to negotiate for the bride, who was represented by her brother. His starting price was $5 million - a fair sum for the beautiful Nabila. I thought it was interesting that Navid wasn't allowed to participate in this part - maybe he would have agreed to pay too much! holding the gate - negotiations for bride veiled bride walks to stage with parents The first time the groom sees his bride is through a brand new mirror (you know, by tradition - these folks are pretty seriously in love). groom looks at bride for first time in mirror groom removes bride's veil wedding vows bridesmaid puts on jewelry father of bride hugs brother groom and bride hug family members bride puts necklace on groom grandmother at ceremony imam gives a sermon More peacock details and a beautiful brown, purple and blue wedding cupcake display. These were really tasty cupcakes, too! wedding cake and peacock detail This was so fun. The first food the couple eats after getting married is from each others' hands - they're not allowed to use utensils. bride and groom feeding each other bride looks up at father giving speech maid of honor gives a speech hugging after speeches at wedding ceremony guest laughing at speeches little girl at the ceremony bridesmaid holds orchid bouquet sister of the bride speaks at the reception guests making faces for the camera Just before they left to go up to their bridal suite, Nabila and Navid shared a very intense and emotional moment with their parents. black and white prayer photo What a great night! Thank you to Nabila, Navid and Ayesha for introducing me to a whole new set of marriage traditions. Congratulations you two!
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by Amber Categories: **Weddings