I think everyone got caught up in the emotions of the ceremony because the attendants didn’t even let Many and Bekah go for a cocktail/leave the altar- nope. They immediately ran for hugs. And that brought everyone out of their chairs and in line for more hugs.

Then guests were treated to an all white reception and their own cocktail glasses with their guests cards attached. But people had other plans for dancing- instead of staying in the reception area, everyone headed up to the roofdeck and danced it up. It was so dark up there Nasilele and I couldn’t find each other!

I’m a sucker for First Look shots. About 95% of my couples end up doing a first look and I always get a little excited right before that moment. Sometimes there are tears, sometimes people burst out laughing in happiness, but always always there is that moment of ‘omgomgomg look at how hot he/she looks!! I’m so excited!’. And Mandy and Bekah were no exception. So after a few minutes of laughing and hugging, we walked on over to their venue in downtown NYC. Gary’s Loft is just stunning. When I share the details on Wednesday you are going to drool. An all-white new york loft? Yes please! So on our way to the venue, walking mind you, we got some couple shots. I will note that I did really want a classic kissing in the middle of traffic NYC shot. Badly. So I quickly grabbed them, took the shot, and ran back to the safety of the sidewalk only to hear “Who raised you??” from a certain mom who was none too happy I had gone in the middle of traffic. Don’t worry! I kept them safe, moms.

Getting Ready Hotel: The Donovan House
Makeup: Ana Merces
Flowers: Sidra Forman
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Sixth and I Historic Synagogue
Kosher Caterer: Dahan Catering

Luckily I was and we began furiously talking on the phone/email and making it all come together. With 8 people attending the wedding, they wanted everyone to feel included. With so little time, they wanted to make sure it all came together. So with the Hotel Monaco as their getting ready location, the Capital Yacht Charters as their ceremony location, and Dan Furnansky as their officiant- the day was full of lots of laughing and felt so relaxed. With a small wedding like this, I got to know every guest. We talked almost all day so much so I lost my voice for the next day. I got to learn all about Deborah and Caron’s incredible music careers (and listen to their cd non-stop on the way home).  And if you want even more photos of the two of them, have you seen their trash the dress/suit session?

I just love this moment! Deborah’s sister and niece helped clean up her makeup after all the crying during the ceremony.

I love the marble floors in the hall of this church!

Incase you aren’t a buckeye fan, this apparently is tradition of Ohio State. Ying and Pat sent me photos of people spelling out Ohio from all over the world. Love it!

I love this first look shot! Ying hid under her parasol until Pat came and peeked.

With Lara, I LOVE second shooting. I feel like were a team and we have one goal: to get kick-ass pictures of this amazing wedding. And one big thing: she trusts me. She trusted me and let me go creatively even when I just started doing weddings. Since then? It’s only become better!

So I was lucky enough to second shoot for Lara at Liz & Nick’s wedding at Hollin Hall in Alexandria, VA. With tons of etsy details and the personalities to match, it was so much fun to shoot this wedding. I cracked up when I saw their cake toppers- a bride and a knight in shining armor!

Kacy and Tim had been secretly planning to lipsync to “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” as soon as they crushed the glass. The guests were completely surprised and started clapping and laughing at the same time!

Tim’s little boys got to go in the chairs for the Hora. They were loving it. I was trying to take pictures and not get knocked in the head by their arms because they were dancing in their chairs.