Can you say “H U G E”?! Over 400 family members, friends and guests attended Ruth and Ajay’s ceremony & celebration. Traveling from all over the US, representing; TX, CA, OR, NY, NJ, PA, MI, VA and MD… and from as far as India, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata… 20 hours to get here and celebrate the union of the Ponnuswamy and Prasad families.
When Ruth met with us to go over wedding details last March, who would have imagined that we were going to be in the ‘rainy season’ here in Virginia? Rainy weather is suppose to mean ‘good luck’ for the newly wed couple. Well, Ruth and Ajay, I would say you are blessed beyond measure.
It was such an honor to photograph this wedding and at the same time learn about the very beautiful customs associated with the Indian culture. Songs and readings were offered by close family members and friends during the ceremony, many of the women dressed in the most lovely and colorful Indian Sarees, and an abundance of love ran not only through this couple but also through all of their guests. Even the smallest of guests, the many children who were present, wore love and laughter on their faces.
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This wedding was absolutely wonderful. The bride was gorgeous, the groom stunning and the best dancing I have seen ever at a reception.
Elizabeth and Mark added a really cool twist at their reception, rather than the DJ introducing the bridal party, they themselves handled the honors. They had the entire room in stitches… and not to be outdone, Elizabeth’s sister Kate and also the matron of honor, and Mark’s best man Eddie, delivered amazing speeches!
Sit back and enjoy the photos from Elizabeth & Mark’s beautiful day.
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For 65 million people, Saturday, August 27, 2011 was more than just memorable, in the words of President Obama “Historic”. For two people, their families and loved ones, who many of them had traveled from as far as Venezuela and from Turkey to take part in this day, it too was historic, but for completely different reasons, and the outcome could have not been more different. Hurricane Irene, estimated to be the size of Arizona and winds of 100 mph, was tracking along the east coast and scheduled to hit Washington, DC, this Saturday night. A beautiful couple were to be married this same evening. What one event brought of destruction and fear for so many, the other, brought love, and family and loved ones together to celebrate a wedding.
As you scroll down and look through the day you would never know, this day, was anything less than, perfect. It was one surrounded with beauty, elegance, and charm.The one thing I have yet to tell you is this wedding was planned as an outdoor wedding at River Farm. A beautiful estate operated by the AHS, (American Horticulture Society), and once owned by President George Washington dating back to 1760. The grounds are superbly kept; the gardens full of color and variety, formal garden areas, wild growing flowers which all back directly up to the Potomac River.
But all of this beauty would have to be enjoyed from within the lovely estate’s ballroom and activity tent. Oh, by the way, the wedding was now rescheduled for 11:30a from 4:30p, 5 hours earlier, in hopes of missing the storm…. no stress here for anyone, especially the bride. Right? Can you imagine what she was feeling when she called to re-schedule her hair appointment and was told, “Sorry, we don’t have any appointments available”. One man made a profound statement, “You cannot expect for a bride to attend her wedding without her getting her hair done”. Very well said.
Everyone who had a part in the day did an amazing job to make this day special for the New Mr. & Mrs.
River Farm was gorgeous, the caterers did an amazing job transforming their original setup to the ballroom, bouquets and tables decorated with reds, fuchsias, and oranges, exquisite food, the music by a wonderful classical guitarist, DJ and topped off by an authentic mariachi band helped create a beautiful wedding.
Beauty surrounds, Love envelopes.
Photography: Doug Stroud & Deb Brown
Location: River Farm
Florist: Enchanted Florist
Catering: Design Cuisine
Classic Guitarist: Zane Forshee
DJ: Darnell Nunez
Band: Mariachi Aguila 202.277.0102
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The thing about weddings is that they are all different, as different as every bride and groom. She, dressed in a gown to die for, elegant, beautiful, and lined with sparkly little things all over. He and his boys dressed in lime green and purple argyle socks- a sight to beheld… see for yourself.
Held in the Oakton Methodist Church in Oakton, VA, the ceremony was exquisite. Soft light streaming through the frosted panes of glass, dappling throughout… reflecting off the beautifully hand-crafted wooden pews, giving off a warm, rich orange patina. This church has a great deal of significance, nostalgia and holds a special place in Katie’s heart. Katie grew up in this church, and at very young age she found her love for music- she took her first voice lesson here (a music teacher by trade now), and extremely nostalgic and dear to her heart, her mother was married in this very church.
I did not get to spend this day photographing the bride, Stephen and I switch off our roles, and this day I got to spend the time behind the scenes with the boys. Yes the bride and her ladies were lovely, but the guys…. they were awesome. When you spend time with people behind the scene you get to see who they really are… these guys are a class act- all young and in the tech world, super smart, good looking and loads of fun…. I was stoked to be able to photograph the guys!
The reception was Amazing!!! Held at the Chantilly National Gold & Country Club; Mulligans, bunkers, sand traps and birdies were the central parts to the theme of the day… “Fore!………… Love” Katie and Andrew were gorgeous together. And to make all this possible was Richard Rochford, acting GM, provided the get-away golf carts and spectacular backdrops for our photo-shoots, a huge hug and welcome Richard.
Good luck and Best Wishes Katie & Andrew, may your lives be blessed with love, success, joy and laughter.
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It seems like only yesterday that we met Tiffani and Ostranda for coffee to discuss their wedding plans. From the minute we met, I felt the magic between them. I am a romantic at heart, I love…. seeing people in love, holding hands, quiet moments, glances, knowing what is being said, without a word ever spoken. I believe in true love and that there is one person made for each of us. I could feel all of this love between them.
Their wedding was held at a quaint marina on the Occoquan at Harbour View in Woodbridge, VA. The ceremony was decorated elegantly throughout with White Roses, Calla
Lilies, Ivory Lilies and White Hydrangeas. The ceremony had it all; smiles, tears, laughter and love throughout from friends, family, and guests.
Two wonderful families come together on June 18, 2011 to celebrate the beautiful beginning of Tiffani and Ostranda….
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A Wonderful Couple, Elizabeth & Mark are a super cool and beautiful couple. They compliment each other so well, best friends with a way laid-back style. Mark totally loves this woman, and it won’t take long for you to see how deeply Elizabeth loves this guy; these guys are all about sharing and building their lives together… On September 17 in the year of 2011, we will be honored to see these two beautiful people begin a new life together. May their lives be blessed and they experience a lifetime of joy and happiness.
Saturday: May 28, 2011
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Saturday: May 1, 2011
We met Christian when he was seven (7) days old, what a beautiful boy he is. His father, David, serves in the Army and is stationed in Alaska. He got home just hours after he was born… this kid is going to be a stud, fishing, hunting… Surrounded by love from his beautiful and so, so sweet mother and sister, these are sessions that if we had time could go on forever.
Old Town, Alexandria has so much charm, history and culture. It is always great to photograph our couples down there throughout the parks and by the water….
Lori’s non-stop laugh and beautiful nature is so contagious it had all of us spellbound the entire session.
Next stop…. Wedding bells.
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Destiny, Chance Meeting, Good Fortune or Fate? This story has it all, and a little more…
When I first spoke to Tiffani on the phone several months ago I got a special feeling about her. She had a kind, gentle softness way about her- it was all in her voice. Tiffani was getting married in June and her wedding photographer had a conflict and she now was on the search to find a new one. We met with her and her fiance’, Ostranda, for coffee who now lives out of town. He is down at Duke University completing his residency in Pediatrics. I knew the minute I saw them that I wanted to be their photographer…
Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart.
- Marcus Aurelius
I wondered about Tiffani’s fiance’, Ostranda, a very unusual and interesting name. I could not wait to meet him and ask him about it. Ostranda and his family are from Liberia, West Africa. His father, a banker, and his brother and sister, both physicians. I asked him about his name, being so unique. I thought it might be a name from his country, if his brother and sister had names like this- he gave out great laugh (he must get this question a lot) and explained… He told me that he was named after his father’s friend, who was not from Liberia, but rather from France, (in case you are wondering), and no he was the only one given this honor, or curse, LOL…
Tiffani and Ostranda met at a friend’s wedding down in North Carolina; Destiny, Chance Meeting, Good Fortune or Fate? Is there a difference?
Their first date was dinner in Old Town Alexandria, they spent the entire weekend together- having a picnic the next day again in Old Town down by the water’s edge, and the rest my friends is a storybook tale. It just felt so right to do their engagement photos here…
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Mother Daughter
Forever Is Not Long Enough
I want to spend the rest of my life with you
Every breath I take in, is one you have let go
I still get nervous, when my eyes fall upon your beauty
If forever comes, it will not be enough time to share my life, with you…
I knew you before I met you
Sealed
And then…. There was Four
With all the attention going to the newest addition to families, it easy to overlook the eldest…. but that is hard to do in
this case. I love London’s look here, her look of innocence is balanced with independence. Click Here for the full
shoot.
Innocence & Independence
Gottschalk Family Christmas 2010
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