Washington DC Wedding Photography

Washington DC Wedding Photography

Elizabeth and Joe – Washington DC Wedding Photography.

A bride holds her arms around the shoulders of her groom as they sit on a bench behind Cafe Milano in Georgetown. He has a gray tuxedo jacket with military medals.

Last summer I got a really detailed narrative through the inquiry form on my website. It was from Elizabeth who you see in these photos, and it was basically the whole beautiful story of who they are, how they met, started dating, fell in love, and decided to get married. I can’t resist a great love story, so I was instantly hooked. I remember it was a Sunday evening when the inquiry came in. The wedding date was September 20th and it was going to be in Washington, D.C.

Well, that’s my birthday and I love D.C. so I included that little bit of information when I replied to tell them that I had the date open. I invited Elizabeth and Joe to get in touch to discuss the details of their wedding. Within minutes Elizabeth replied saying that September 20th was also her birthday, and as it turns out her mother’s birthday, too!

It’s safe to say that we both had the feeling that the universe was kind of pushing us in the direction of working together. And so it came to be. In case you’re wondering, I did make the obvious joke about Joe being in big trouble if he forgets their anniversary 🙂 Below are some of my favorite photos from Elizabeth and Joe’s wedding day.

Getting Ready

Elizabeth had her makeup done in her suite at the Washington Hilton in DuPont Circle.

a bride is reflected in the screen of a television as she has her makeup applied

Joe was 2 floors up in his own suite getting ready.

A groom looks into a mirror as he puts his tie onsilhouette of a bride having lipstick applied by a makeup artistgroom brushes his hair as he looks in a bathroom mirrordetail of the lace and stitching on the back of a bride's gown

Joe and his buddies all served together in the United States Marine Corps. Their attention to detail in their tuxedos and planning was pretty fantastic. Most grooms aren’t as involved with things like wedding day logistics, but Joe had the plan down cold.

groom shares a laugh with his groomsmen as they get ready to leave for the churcha bride puts her shoes on in a hotel room before leaving for the churchportrait from above of a beautiful bride

The Ceremony at St. Matthew’s Cathedral

Elizabeth and her dad arrived at the church in a 1952 Bentley.

a bride and her father stand by an antique Bentley as they wait to enter the churchBride and her father walk down the aisle togethera groom smiles as he sees his bride walk towards him

St. Matthew’s Cathedral is an incredibly beautiful church. This was a morning wedding, so the light coming through the windows filled interior with color as it reflected off of the marble and mosaics.

spectacular interior of St. Matthew Cathedral in Washington, D.C.bride and groom kiss during their wedding ceremony

Elizabeth and Joe paused for a quick hug and kiss at the back of the church immediately after the ceremony.

bride and groom embrace at the back of the church after their wedding ceremony

Their guests cheered them as they returned to the front of the church for pictures.

bride and groom hold their hands up in celebration as they walk through the church

Portraits in Washington DC

After the ceremony I got in the front seat of the Bentley with the chauffeur while Elizabeth and Joe rode in the back. There was a limo bus in front of us carrying the bridal party and parents while Joe’s buddies from his veteran’s motorcycle club followed behind in a big, black Chevy Tahoe. Let me tell you, those guys were such a great escort. They blocked aggressive D.C. drivers from getting in between the vehicles as the motorcade made its way from the church to the Lincoln Memorial, the Marine Corps War Memorial, and to the reception at Cafe Milano in Georgetown.

bride and groom hold hands and look at each other as they sit in the back seat of an antique Bentley

Elizabeth and Joe embraced while we were on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. It’s weird to think that with all of the tourists you’d need a permit to take wedding photos at these national parks, but you do. Thanks to Joe for making the proper arrangements. As it was, no Park Rangers ever approached us.

bride and groom embrace on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with the Washington Monument in the background

Reception at Cafe Milano

Elizabeth has a quiet moment before heading into the reception.

A bride seated in the back of an antique limousine sniffs the flowers of her bouquet.

Not only were these guys great escorts, they provided the military pageantry as the couple entered Cafe Milano.

bride and groom arrive at their reception beneath an arc of swords held by veterans

Cutting the cake. Yes, those are Steelers and Eagles helmets on the topper.

Bride and groom cut their wedding cake with a sabrebride laughs as her groom dances towards herrag time band plays during a wedding

First dance.

bride and groom dance under the painted ceiling at Cafe Milano in Washington, D.C.

Thanks to Elizabeth and Joe for having me photograph their wedding. It was a great way to spend my birthday!