I was super excited when Geomyra Lewis asked me to take some headshots in the Oatlands gardens.  How can you not love photographing someone with a 1000 watt smile?!   She’s also a fabulous event planner so head over to her website for more information and samples of her work.

As a treat for the New Year I have some really fun wedding photos to share.  Kristen and Ryan certainly couldn’t have expected it to snow for their October wedding at Hillsborough vineyards.  It hasn’t snowed in October in Northern Virginia since before the civil war. When the flakes started coming fast and furious though, Kristen and Ryan took it in stride. Kristen’s aunt was dispatched to Target for boots, shawls, and umbrellas.  Pink wellies might not have been the wedding shoes she planned but they’re undeniably adorable anyway!!

Kristen and Ryan were totally freezing in these pictures.  We all were.   A behind the scene video would have been hilarious.  I was really cold but trying not to think about it and working as fast as I could because poor Kristen had just a strapless lace dress under her coat.  I love how the pictures came out though.   It’s obvious how much fun they’re having together.

The weather outside might have been frightful but the party inside was quite delightful.– sorry couldn’t help myself!

This gang from New Orleans really knew how to let loose.  Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Photographer: Jennifer Chase
Second Shooter: Graeme Jennings
Venue: Hillsborough Vineyards
Catering and Cake: Karen Harper-Fuog
DJ: Ian Lade
Florist: Holly Heider Chapple flowers
Hair and Make-up: Carlos Day Spa
Invitations: The Dandelion Patch 

Katie and Tom said they wanted a back yard wedding but didn’t have the back yard big enough.  Instead, they transformed the Meridian House garden into their french inspired back yard for a super relaxed and fun wedding.  My favorite part was towards the end of the night.  The guests were enjoying themselves outside so Katie and Tom just decided to bring the cake outside for the cake cutting.  Not so difficult to do when the cake was a family recipe (from a box) made by her aunt every year on Katie’s birthday.

The lace on Katie’s dress and keyhole back was just stunning.

I’m seriously in love with the Linden trees in the Meridian gardens.

Second Shooter: Matt McLoone
Venue: The Meridian House
Coordinator: Ashleigh Dorfman
Caterer: Catering Company of Washington
Band: The Mustangs
Florist: The Floral Studio
Hair: Hair by Jewles
Make-up:Leah McKay

Heart be still, chateaus and topiaries as far as the eye can see!

In the room the women come and go
Talking of Michelangelo.

And indeed there will be time
To wonder, “Do I dare?” and, “Do I dare?”
Time to turn back and descend the stair,
With a bald spot in the middle of my hair–
[They will say: "How his hair is growing thin!"]
My morning coat, my collar mounting firmly to the chin,
My necktie rich and modest, but asserted by a simple pin–
[They will say: "But how his arms and legs are thin!"]
Do I dare
Disturb the universe?

In a minute there is time
For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.

- T. S. Elliott