Stephanie & Shane’s Wedding at Charlottesville’s Veritas Vineyards

Once again, we arrive to today thinking, holy cow is it Friday already? I’m beginning to sound like a broken record. But hey, Fridays often mean a great wedding to share, and today’s no exception. Enjoy Stephanie and Shane’s celebration, and have yourselves a great weekend!

Ready for more? You can view their complete wedding here. The password is Stephanie’s maiden name and is case-sensitive.

The Fab team:
Venue and catering: Veritas Vineyards
Baker: Favorite Cakes
Florist: Pat’s Floral Designs
Videographer:  United Wedding Video
Band: Source

Once again Pat’s Floral Designs hit it out of the park with one of our favorite bridal bouquets of all time! Okay, so we have lots of favorites. ;-D

These two were steaming up our lenses. Seriously. Hot.

Stephanie & Shane met while in the Army and we LOVED her camouflage pumps!

Bedecken!

Tisch!

Distracting the flower girl until it’s time to walk. Always a classic, this time with a modern twist.

It just so happened to also be Stephanie’s mom’s birthday, so they celebrated with a surprise cake for her.

Dear s&s,

Okay, so we don’t think we’ve laughed so hard or so often at a wedding as much as we did while documenting yours. Heck, we’re still laughing! The dry humor and endless jokes between the two of you and your families by themselves kept a smile on our faces all day. Because it was, after all, “our day”–how could it not? It was so cool how you displayed for all the nascent email conversations between Shane and your Dad, Stephanie, using wording and a sense of humor only a servicemember or veteran could fully appreciate. Its display at the tisch set the mood for the day for your arriving guests, as they flit back and forth between the energetic tisch and your sweet bedecken. We also loved the look your parents gave you during the processional, just before you circled each other at the very beginning of your ceremony. Parents could not have been happier nor more proud.

And just in case your friends weren’t sure if you were serious about your party that night, we’re certain your hora set a record for longevity  in a dance. Whew! Heck, our arms are still tired! Despite the evening’s little unexpected glitches, you took everything in stride and rose to dance the night away. We so enjoyed spending the day with you, celebrating with your families, and wish so much that you didn’t live so far away. Thank you for inviting us to be a part of your celebration, allowing us into your lives for this brief moment to document it all for you. We had an absolute blast and we wish you many, many years of laughter together.

Peace & love…
…a&b

 

Deena & Ben’s Wedding at UVa Chapel and Veritas Vineyards in Charlottesville

Happy Friday everybody! You haven’t seen much on the blog of late because we’ve been so darn busy and right about now we’re wondering how we’ve found ourselves in the middle of a studio renovation, website & blog redesign in the middle of wedding season…hmmmm, not sure what we were thinking there, but we’re about to unleash a whole mess of fun times and great imagery. Today we start off with Ben & Deena’s all-smiles celebration.

Are you ready to see more? Check out the entire wedding here. The password is Deena’s maiden name.

The FAB team:
Catering and lighting: Veritas Vineyard
Florist: Blue Ridge Floral Design
Gown designer: Liancarlo
Reception entertainment: Gonzo’s Nose (via Sam Hill Entrainment)
Cake Artist: Cakes by Rachel

Their friends painted Beta Bridge in honor of their celebration and it lasted more than 30 minutes!

Dear d&b,

All smiles. That’s pretty much how you and your wedding could be summed up. We loved how, moments after you saw each other for the first time that day, you held hands and walked over to a nearby bench to sit and chat for a spell. Deena, when your dad saw you in your gown a short bit later, we reveled in the emotion of the moment and were thrilled to capture more tender moments between you and your families. It was abundantly clear not only how much you cared for each other, but your families as well. It wasn’t just your wedding, but the coming together of two loving, faith filled families and if that isn’t cause for celebration, we don’t know what is. Both of your parents’ long marriages have provided such a solid foundation for you both as you begin this new life together.

Deena, even though it was a very warm day, we got goosebumps when you and your parents took a quite moment together to embrace and pray prior to entering the chapel and we love that both of them walked you down the aisle to meet your groom.  Oh, and wasn’t that afternoon light in the Chapel beautiful? You know we’re suckers for good light. And, Ben, we couldn’t help but laugh at how excited your Mom was before and after the ceremony. We adore that shot of you both celebrating with her just afterward. Your wedding day was the perfect blend of touching seriousness combined with laugh-out-loud, fun.

It was especially evident when you and your wedding party ran into the Veritas ballroom NBA-style, complete with official arm and sweat bands. The energy continued though to the dancing–at the end of last year we ran various contests for 2010 Superlatives. One category was the best alternative use of a necktie, and we think there were a couple of contenders for next year’s contest alone from that evening!

Good light. Touching moments. Ebullient joy. Yup, those might just be all your wedding photographers need to feed them. Our souls anyway. ;-D

Such fun. Thank you so much for having us out to document your Summer celebration and congratulations on your marriage!

Peace & love…
…a&b

 

Kimya & Brian’s Wedding at the Omni Shoreham, Part 1

Hey everybody! Today and tomorrow we’re sharing with you one of the most visually stunning weddings you’re likely to ever see. Just gorgeous, and what a fun couple! Kimya and Brian were so incredibly happy and…well, why don’t you see for yourself, then be sure to return tomorrow to see the exciting conclusion–a HUGE party! A special thanks goes out to our dear friends Andrea Hubbell for coming up from C’ville to third shoot and to Karen Papadales for her invaluable and tireless assistance throughout the day. See if you can spy a few of Andrea’s images sprinkled in here and there. She got some great ones! And wait until you see part 2, where you get to see more of the unmatched design talents of Jodi Moraru of Evoke DC and her amazing team of professionals. Just wow, Jodi. We were absolutely thrilled to be a part of k&b’s incredible event and hope you all enjoy their pics!

Want more? Check out the complete gallery of wedding images here. The password is Kimya’s maiden name and is case-sensitive. You can also see all the SnapHappy Studio photo booth images (same password).

Gorgeous with a capital G.

Brian’s cheeks must have hurt from smiling *all* day! See above photo if you’re wondering why.

Cotton “flakes”?!?

As always, Philippa Tarrant brought her A-game!

Kimya & Brian had a combined Christian & Persian ceremony so the Sofreh Aghd was set up in front of the gazebo.

The Sofreh or wedding spread includes traditional items that all hold special significance to the Persian wedding ceremony, such as the Holy book and the honey that the couple dip their pinky fingers in and feed each other during the ceremony. Mahsa & Shahed of Sofreh Atelier did an amazing job with k&b’s setup.

Our future competition?

Just adore this one. Our eyes just linger a little bit longer every time we see it. Such joy on your faces and everyone surrounding you.

It’s Summer. Typical response from a groom having a hard time getting the ring over that one last knuckle.

Dear k&b,

On a day that you two seemingly couldn’t stop smiling (and why would you? It’s your wedding day!) , we so enjoyed watching you just take it all in. And there was just so much to take in. Your guests applauding as you and each of your wedding party come down the aisle (and that was for the processional!) really set the mood for the day. Even the cotton “flakes” drifting lazily through the air seemed to fit in with the dreamy afternoon during your participatory dual-faith ceremony. We almost had to pinch ourselves – was this all real? The answer was a resounding yes and then some.

Little did we know there was even more yummy goodness to come. We can just imagine the feeling your guests had when they entered the ballroom foyer, bathed in a purple glow with warm candles. We’re pretty sure their jaws dropped just a little bit then when they entered the transformed (literally) ballroom. We know ours did! The tufted bars on a riser on the right, the engaging band playing on the left, the enormous, patterned dance floor set on the diagonal in front of them…and then curiously, soft draping on the back wall. Hmmm…what could that be, they wondered? How fun to keep them in suspense and give them such a fun surprise. We loved it!

Later on, amid some rock star-grade lighting, your guests were completely wowed when that the stage lights came up and that soft draping slowly opened revealing you both among not just your own delicately decorated wedding cake, but a fun and personalized groom’s cake, two croque en bouche’s, AND two tiered tables full of cupcakes. Kimya, the way you took aim at Brian’s mouth while feeding each other cake was so funny! Should we blame it on the sugar rush?

Kimya, you, your Mom and Jodi made an incredible team in the the design, feel and execution of your day. Each and every detail was special and unique — from your french fry station during cocktails and the warm chocolate-chip cookie & cold milk cart,  to the rolling Scotch and dessert carts that joined people on the dance floor so they didn’t even have to leave their spot to enjoy some of the finer things in life. The two video screens by the bars showing slide shows of you both and your favorite family photos were a big hit and of course, as you saw yesterday, your guests let their freak flags fly in the SnapHappy Studio. So. Much. Fun!

Well, needless to say, everything was just incredible and we felt like little kids in a candy store with all there was for us to photograph. But, you know what the very best part of it all was? That we were present to witness and document your absolute love for each other. And not just your love, but your sincere “liking” of each other. (Is that word? Well, if not, it should be.) It was that easygoing joy that made a truly un-real setting feel real. Honestly, looking back, we were so surprised given all the gorgeous grandness of it all, how your warmth and utter joy managed to make the day actually feel very intimate.

It was such a pleasure being present and in the moment with you as you celebrated your wedding, Kimya & Brian. Thank you so much to you both and your loving families for including us. It’s one we won’t soon forget.

Oh, and congratulations!!!!

xoxo,
…a&b

 

Beth & Peter’s Meridian House Wedding, Part 2

Did you already catch Part 1 of Beth and Peter’s wedding? Well, we hope so. Please…carry on. Shall we review the spectacular team who helped put all this together?

Event planning: Jamie Sears of Simply Chic Events
Hair & Makeup: KPN
Bridal Gown: Melissa Sweet
Venue: Meridian House
Floral Design: Philippa Tarrant
Baker: Maggie Austin Cakes
Catering: Windows
Stationary: Dauphine Press
Calligraphy: Meant to Be Calligraphy
Officiant: Bill Cochran
DJ: Aaron Platt of Chris Laich Music Services
Video: Dolce Video
Lighting: Event Dynamics
Favors: Georgetown Cupcakes

We need to take a moment here and admire this cake in its seemingly natural habitat.

Seriously. Gorgeous. Cake.

You go Windows!

First dance.

The cake cutting was widely documented!

Love this shot Anne took!

“It’s gettin’ hot in here…”

And I believe Andrew’s response was “why, yes, it is kinda warm”. Or something like that. ;-D

And a few more favorite details we just had to fit in!

 

Beth & Peter’s Meridian House Wedding, Part 1

Whoo! Happy Friday everyone! We’re SO excited today to share some of our favorite images from Beth & Peter’s gorgeous wedding at the beautiful and historic Meridian House in Washington, DC, designed by the ever talented Jamie Sears of Simply Chic Events. While the grass was a bit too wet to host their ceremony in the garden, the weather gods smiled upon them – and us. They still got to have an outdoor ceremony AND we got to shoot a ceremony for the first time in the Linden Grove. SO neat! Yes, we just said neat. ‘Cause it totally was.

Take a gander below at some of the early part of the day’s festivities, and return this afternoon to view part 2, carrying us through the rest of the night’s partying.  You won’t want to miss it!

Ready for more? You can view the complete gallery of all images here. The password is Beth’s maiden name.

Love, love this shot Anne got of Beth’s preparation.

Peter was stylin’…

And Elizabeth was gorgeous!

First sight! (By the way, Anne is totally in love with that dress.)

Love, love, love this one Bill got!

Always a sweet treat to serve your guests some pre-ceremony cool drinks!

Peter’s grandparents never stopped smiling that night.

There’s incredible knowing look among couples who have been together for a number of years. We love this moment between Beth’s parents.

Bill Cochran *always* does such a meaningful & laugh-inducing ceremony!

Married!

And just a few of our favorite details from the ceremony…

Dear b&p,

Every single wedding is unique and we take pride in the fact that we’re able to document each couple as they really are and as they really interact with one another, and absolutely loved the quiet yet strong bond between the two of you. It was evident in your engagement portraits and certainly again throughout your wedding, beginning with your tender first sight in Meridian’s gardens. Your sweet, knowing glances towards each other, your easy laughter, and yes, we know the beautiful sun was shining that day, but we swear – you both, along with your incredibly kind families and friends, were just glowing.

It was so much fun listening to your officiant relay stories of your courtship and watching everyone’s reactions (including yours). The day certainly wasn’t all quiet, however, once you two and your families took to the dance floor! There was no question whatsoever who was about to get their groove on, and certainly, Beth,  your brother also provided some wonderful “color commentary” to the festivities. Everyone loved it – including us! Peter, that look of utter delight on your grandmother’s face when she strolled across the floor to dance with you is not one we’ll soon forget.

And good call on your cake artist! Not only was that one of the most beautiful cakes we’ve seen, we don’t think we’ve ever seen cake slices move that quickly, devoured seemingly within seconds. Little did they know, there was also an incredible dessert table AND Lava Fudge cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake to go! So many special touches that surely make your guests feel welcome and adored. We felt incredibly lucky to be a part of it all. Still do, actually.

The day was just the right amount of solemnity, excitement, and calmness. We absolutely love that you took a brief moment during dinner to slip outside, just the two of you, to perhaps, connect, reflect and just take in this incredible, momentous occasion. Beth & Peter, you gave us your trust, sincerity and light – we could never ask for anything more. Thank you so much for inviting us to share in this sweet and beautiful time in your lives. We know you’ll have many, many more together!

xoxo,
…a&b