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:
They got ready in their apartment near Eastern Market and Sara's best lady's apartment, directly downstairs.
First look on the balcony!
Your first glimpse at what these folks are really like. Yes, they are fake slapping each other during their first look.
Dayum lady!
Many thanks to the always fabulous
Ayesha Ahmad for coming out to shoot this one with me.
They don't call it a
cathedral for nothing.
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.
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.
And
then they started breaking plates.
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.
This happened as I was
leaving.
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!)
Mark and Stephen got ready at their home near Meridian Hill Park. Chloe, their enormous spotted great dane, helped with prep by cowering in a corner the whole time.
Then we scooted to the park for some portraits and family formals.
OMG I love them.
Big thanks to Porter for coming out to help me with this wedding. I don't know if she prompted this one, but it's hilarious (sorry Stephen!)
From there, we headed on down to National Harbor. Mark has a very accommodating friend who lent his beautiful house, backyard and dock for the wedding.
The grooms came in on boats.
Huge shoutout to Megan from Events in the City who made Mark and Stephen's day totally beautiful. Check out the Chloe wedding cake!
And do you believe this? They had a drag queen at their wedding! She introduced them way back on when.
Then everybody boogied like mad.
Bam.
[Because regular people don't care and I'm so proud, here's a side note for photographers: I made this exposure in camera. This was 10 seconds, holding my hands over the bottom and sides of the lens so I wouldn't overexpose the bright parts of the frame. Pretty neat, right?]
Then we went to Town for the after party. I don't normally get to go to hip, exciting places. It was neat just to be there.
Congratulations you guys!
Mark and Stephen's fabulous vendor team:
Design and planning: Megan Pollard with Events in the City
Ceremony & reception venue: Private residence
Catering: R&R Catering (some of the best wedding food I have EVER had!)
Florist: Flowers on 14th
Entertainment: Sherry Vine
DJ: DJ Drew G
Cake: Fluffy Thoughts
Mark and Stephen's strapping suits: Eric Finn
Bridesmaids dresses: Two Birds
