Hello again. World’s worst blogger here. Seriously. I’ve been posting updates on facebook, but I think I prefer the blog method of sharing better, so I’m going back to it and may do updating on the AKP facebook page with a few promotions and so on here and there. Although these were placed on facebook, I’ve got a ton of blog posts to catch up on from way back.

I always love to hear how couples decide upon the locations they select. Like many brides, Amy is no longer living locally, but returned to where she grew up to get married at Grace United Methodist Church – the church she has belonged to her enitre life. She and Steve chose the Indiana Country Club for their reception because they liked the classic setting and that it provided a nice place to take outdoor pictures.

I think that I’ve mentioned it before, but I will again…love the “getting ready” part of the day – it seems like it’s when it all becomes real. Some get nervous. Others are just eager to see the day that they’ve been planning come together. Regardless, there’s always a million things going on and I love documenting the anticipation.

The brooch sewn into Amy’s dress belonged to her maternal grandmother, Margaret. It’s always extra special to be able to incorporate bits and pieces from loved ones into part of the day – the perfect way to “carry someone with you” if they are unable to be there in person. I think that the brooch was absolutely perfect on the dress. LOVED it!

Sometimes couples opt to do a “first look” session prior to the ceremony, others like to hold a bit more tradition. Amy and Steve did something that allows a couple to have contact with each other without seeing one another. If a First Look session isn’t your preference, this may be something possible to do.

 After the ceremony, Amy and Steve went out to greet their guests with a reading of an Indian blessing and butterfly release. One of the butterflies stuck around on Amy’s bouquet for a while, move onto her hand, and then flew off.

I had the first ever altar “group photo” with a dog – they brought their beagle in to the church after the ceremony to get a few photos.

To get from the ceremony to the reception, a family friend offered his beautiful 1925 Model T.

The couple put their dance lessons to use by dancing their first dance to Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra.

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Ceremony: Grace United Methodist Church, Indiana, PA
Reception: Indiana Country Club, Indiana, PA
Reception Entertainment: Mobile MIX Entertainment
Floral Designer: Ellie’s Flower Shop, Shelocta, PA
Bakery: Gail’s Custom Cakes and Cookies, Indiana, PA
Hair Stylist: Renaissance Stylists, Kathy Stossel, Indiana, PA
Flowers used: Asiatic lilies, calla lilies, alstroemeria
Transportation: 1925 Model T, private owner
Butterfly release: Magical Beginnings Butterfly Farms
Colors: chocolate, burgundy, burnt orange, yellow
First Dance: Fly me to the Moon, Frank Sinatra
Father/Daughter Dance: What a Wonderful World/Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Mother/Son Dance: I Can See Clearly Now

Jessica + John were married at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church and held their reception at Bethesda Country Club. Last year, we got together for their engagement session at the Country Club as well and you may remember it from here: Jessica + John: engaged

I received a call from Jessica back when she was JUST starting to plan the wedding day…even before she and John had set a date so that she could make certain I would be available on their wedding day.  During their planning, many things changed, most notably  finding out that Jessica’s mom (who was battling cancer) was not doing so well.  At one point, Jessica sent me an email with a photo showing Gwyneth Paltrow and her mom, Blythe, in a photo taken by Annie Leibowitz and wanted to have a photo created similar to it…yeah, no pressure there!!!  We discussed how and when we would create it to make it our own…yet, sadly, Jessica’s mom passed away before the wedding day.  It’s moments like that which are a reminder as to why the job of a photographer is so important and it’s why I always do my best to capture any photos with loved ones that my couples request.

The day started out at Bethesda Country Club where Jessica and her bridesmaids got ready and I had an opportunity to get a few of the detail photos I always like to get. An interesting thing to note: Jessica selected her gown at Hitched during a trunk show for Judd Waddell…she was the first to purchase the gown AND super bonus…the designer did a sketch and gave it to her of her in the gown!  How awesome is that?

I love these two photos – Jessica was just looking down as her dress was being buttoned and the other photo is of her Aunt (who is Jessica’s mom’s twin) and Jessica’s dad looking on as the transformation into a bride on her wedding day took place.  One of my favorite parts of the day is seeing those few moments when people recognize a woman is becoming a “bride” after all the planning.

Though I couldn’t hear what was being said, I think that John was telling Jessica how gorgeous she looked in the photo in the upper left. 

After the ceremony, they had a nice toast and ride to the country club where we took a few photos. The tree covered lane was perfect for capturing a photo of the Rolls.

What a great bridal party!

A few more with just Jessica and John before they went in to mingle with guests during their cocktail hour. (They planned a little longer break in time so that they would be able to get photos AND attend the cocktail hour.)

Loved the candlestick vases with a profusion of baby’s breath.  Hydrangea’s were the secondary flower and were used as a decoration for the back of Jessica & John’s chairs and also as a centerpiece for the center table during cocktail hour.  BTW, the vibrant fuschia color of the hydrangea’s was produced by the florist spray painting them! Such an excellent idea to make a donation in the honor of their guests to the John R. Marsh Cancer Center.

First dance as husband and wife – after taking one dance lesson and deciding that it was one too many, they opted to dance to God Only Knows by the Beach Boys.

The band had everyone up and moving – everyone was having too much fun.  And hopefully there are no photos of me as I danced around a bit while I took photos!

Probably some of my very favorite time to take photos is toward evening and dark.  Jessica and John came out for a few minutes…John dipped her without prompting on my part!  I was impressed!  Just shortly thereafter, the sky was turning dark and I asked Jessica to just give me a simple pose with a bit of attitude…she did a great job!

Great warm glow from the lights and candles during the reception as well as a few more glimpses of the fun people were having dancing.  The photo of the sign and looking back at the country club and lane was taken as I was leaving for the night…Jessica emailed me to let me know that she had meant to ask me about taking a photo of the sign for the country club, but her boss was driving down the lane at night while I was taking the photo and already relayed to her that I got it! 

Congratulations, Jessica and John!  Wishing you many, many years of happiness!  Thank you for allowing me to get to know you and play an important role in your wedding day.

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Ceremony: St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Bethesda, MD
Reception: Bethesda Country Club, Bethesda, MD
Gown: Judd Waddell through Hitched Wedding Salon, Georgetown, Washington D.C.
Ceremony Musicians: Cherry Blossom Strings
Reception Entertainment: Midnight Movers
Floral Designer:  Da Vinci Florist, Silver Spring, MD
Bakery: Georgetown Cupcake, Georgetown, Washington D.C.
Hair Stylist: Salon Red, Christi, Gaithersburg, MD  
Makeup Artist: Make-up Design, Meredith Seidel
Transportation: Lasting Impressions, Westminster, MD
Flowers used: baby’s breath, hydrangeas, roses
Colors: magenta/fuschia, white, and gold accents