Sharyn & Matt's Wedding

Sharyn & Matt are amazing people. I tried to come up with some clever analogy to somehow describe why they are so amazing, but everything just seemed to fall short of being an accurate summation of their amazingness. Let me put it this way... these are the kind of people who change the world, for the better. Now that I've completely built them up, let me show you just how cool, humble, and down to earth their wedding was and why I have such a crush on them...

The day started off with Matt getting ready with his family at a nearby hotel while Sharyn got ready with at home with the help of her mom. The bookshelf gives you a sneak peek into this couple's brilliance and sense of humor. ;-)





They decided to have their ceremony at the Netherlands Carillon in Washington, DC, which is also in the same park as the Iwo Jima / Marine Corps War Memorial, where Sharyn's family laid flowers in honor of Sharyn's father, and where Matt & Sharyn saw each other for the first time on their wedding day...



From the memorial, they casually walked together to their guests where two small rows of chairs and a table with coffee were the simple makings of their ceremony site that overlooked the District of Columbia...







One of the things that Matt & Sharyn had mentioned was how happy everyone seemed in my photos. They feared that they might not look as outwardly happy as the other people they had seen, so they practiced a fake-laugh just in case... which ended up making ME laugh more than anything!


Sharyn's bright orange Kate Spades were picking up leaves as we walked back through the park...


How stylish are these two?!


Matt navigated us through some construction traffic and a back alley as we made our way to the Tabard Inn, where a lovely and intimate brunch was served for the close family members who attended the ceremony...






After brunch, there was a bit of down time that allowed everyone to get into more formal attire for a larger evening reception at the fabulously retro Clarendon Ballroom. To set the mood, The Grandsons were on hand to play some of their signature tunes, such as Party With The Rich, and Hip Replacement. You've gotta check out their album on iTunes to hear their curiously quirky lyrics and rockabilly tunes. After hearing them at the reception, I bought their album from iTunes as soon as I got home!


Orange and red were the colors du jour and I just love the many ways in which it played out, even down to the selection of bottled water and the mashed sweet potatoes! Also, if you look closely, you can see their fabulous Ann Wood Handmade Bird toppers dressed to look just like Sharyn & Matt!


Now THIS is their REAL laugh, genuinely captured during an entertaining toast...


Look at them tear up that dance floor!


What I love most about Sharyn & Matt's wedding is that while they certainly had a fabulous day with oodles of unique style, it was never about the "things"... it was always about the people they loved and were celebrating with, and that's just one reason why I think they're amazing.


Matt & Sharyn, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for inviting me to share such a special day with you!! I consider you good friends and hope you always stay in touch!!

Beth & Fred's Wedding

This was a very emotional wedding for me. Beth & Fred's love for each other is just so powerful that it's hard not to get swept away with them. They put so much thought and care into their wedding that every little thing had significance and meaning to who they are as individuals and as a couple.

I just LOVE her birdcage veil and finger waves!


Beth & Fred saw each other for the first time on the porch of the Inn at Monticello in Charlottesville, VA. Their smiles were absolutely radiant at their first glance of each other on their wedding day...



Fred then escorted Beth in a classic red convertible to their ceremony and reception site, Ash Lawn-Highland, home of James Monroe, where they spent some time alone together on the beautiful grounds for a few creative shots before the ceremony...




Their flowers were the perfect mix of elegance and whimsy...


The ceremony was based on Jewish traditions, but with personalized updates for the modern equitable couple...




How excited are they to be married?!? I love it!!!!




Immediately following the ceremony, the guests gathered around for a large group picture. What a perfect day it was!!



Check out some of the fabulous and unique details for their wedding, including Fred's love of comic books! I'll never forget when Beth told me about her friend's reaction to Fred's room of comic books in their home, "It was as if I were staring at shelves and shelves of eyeballs"... so, apparently he has quite the collection!


They also had a polaroid guest book with additional props to encourage guests to have fun and step into another character...



The Dixie Power Trio had guests on the dance floor all night long, and they even played some pretty sweet klezmer for the horah!



Their family and friends gave some amazing toasts, but the one that brought tears to my eyes and gave me chills was a short and sweet statement from Fred's brother about Fred, "You may not have special powers, but you're still a superhero, and the way I know is because a superhero is always there for you when you need them."



To add to the fun, the guests enjoyed games during dinner like couples trivia, matching famous couples, and putting together Star Wars puzzles...



Once the music started to play again, it was a grand party for the rest of the night!!




Beth & Fred, thank you for letting me capture the abundant joy that you have for each other, your family, and your friends. You are surrounded by good people and I'm so honored that I was able to capture the many blessings that you have in your life. May life continue to bless you with even more joy, peace, and love everyday.... I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I am a better person for the time that I was able to share with you.