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Allison + Santiago
The Woodend Sanctuary -- Washington DC wedding photography -- Washington DC wedding photographer

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Allison and Santiago had warned me: There would be a lot of dancing, they said, at their wedding. And it would be very high energy. After photographing about 200 weddings over the last eight years, I’ve seen dancing and I’ve seen high energy. Still, nothing could have prepared me for the tremendous fun that was Allison + Santiago’s wedding reception. In a nod to the wedding customs of his native Argentina, Santiago’s family filled three giant suitcases with colorful, crazy, Dr. Suess-like hats to distribute to guests. All night long, guests swapped hats and headpieces as they danced and danced and danced. Both Allison and Santiago were thrown in the air on the dance floor. And both were flown around the room with their hands spread wide like airplane wings. In another Argentinian wedding tradition, the single women in attendance yanked little silver charms on ribbons out of the wedding cake after it was cut by the newlyweds. Similar to the American bouquet toss, the woman who pulls out the cake’s ring charm, by tradition, is supposed to be the next to marry. (Allison’s friends misunderstood and the lucky recipient of the ring charm was actually already married!) In addition to all of that fun, Allison’s uncle led the group in a rousing performance of YMCA — the result of losing a World Cup bet to Santiago. Before all the craziness of the reception, Allison + Santiago were married in a beautiful, emotional ceremony in the Woodend’s intimate little grove of trees. The ceremony included the presentation of a blessing that was sent by the Pope — along with a joke that such an amazing honor was possible only because both Santiago and Pope Francis hail from Argentina — and a magnificent brass quintet led the guests from the ceremony to cocktail hour. My assistant, Sam Levitan, worked with me again for this wedding and his photos are mixed in with mine. Here are some of my favorites from Allison + Santiago’s amazing day:

We started with the bride getting ready.

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It has become increasingly common for grooms and groomsmen to rely on YouTube videos for help tying their bow ties. Santiago, however, set a new record for us by working on his polkdotted bow tie for a full 22 minutes, right up until just four minutes before the ceremony was scheduled to begin. His smile when he finally got it just right was great. (These photos of the guys getting ready were shot by Sam.) 012-YoungZalazar_00651-0091_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 013-YoungZalazar_00697-0100_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 014-YoungZalazar_00734-0106_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 015-YoungZalazar_01064-0167_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 016-YoungZalazar_01071-0169_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 017-YoungZalazar_01117bw-0180_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer

Meanwhile, Allison had a much easier time with her beautiful wedding gown. 018-YoungZalazar_00788-0116_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 019-YoungZalazar_00916-0136_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 020-YoungZalazar_00952-0146_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer

The bride, looking gorgeous. 021-YoungZalazar_00971-0152_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 022-YoungZalazar_01011bw-0159_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer

And then it was time to get married. I love this ceremony grove at Woodend. It’s so serene and beautiful. The addition of a lemonade bar was a nice touch on a warm summer day. 023-YoungZalazar_01146-0185_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 024-YoungZalazar_01161-0188_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 025-YoungZalazar_01212-0199_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 026-YoungZalazar_01228-0202_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 027-YoungZalazar_01254-0208_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 028-YoungZalazar_01323-0218_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 029-YoungZalazar_01506-0255_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 030-YoungZalazar_01534-0262_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 031-YoungZalazar_01576-0272_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 032-YoungZalazar_01592-0280_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 033-YoungZalazar_01606-0285_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 034-YoungZalazar_01650-0295_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 035-YoungZalazar_01661-0298_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer

Santiago unabashedly showers Allison with affection. It was so wonderful to witness and capture. 036-YoungZalazar_01681-0304_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 037-YoungZalazar_01695-0311_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 038-YoungZalazar_01744-0325_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer

Married! 039-YoungZalazar_01789-0334_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 040-YoungZalazar_01832-0341_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer

Wedding party group hug! 041-YoungZalazar_01922-0359_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 042-YoungZalazar_01992-0369_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer

By the time we finished the family and wedding party photos, the early-evening light at Woodend was just perfect for some casual portraits of the newlyweds.  043-YoungZalazar_02362-0427_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 044-YoungZalazar_02402-0436_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 045-YoungZalazar_02681-0476_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 046-YoungZalazar_02766-0496_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 047-YoungZalazar_02729bw-0487_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 048-YoungZalazar_02881-0513_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 049-YoungZalazar_02892-0516_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 050-YoungZalazar_02939-0523_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 051-YoungZalazar_02964-0528_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 052-YoungZalazar_03002-0534_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer

A few reception details: 053-YoungZalazar_03008-0535_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 054-YoungZalazar_03025-0540_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 055-YoungZalazar_03039-0546_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 056-YoungZalazar_03075-0554_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer

The couple wanted a big group photo with all of their guests. While I shot from atop a ladder, Sam shot a couple closer-up images of Allison + Santiago that I loved. 057-YoungZalazar_03155-0570_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 058-YoungZalazar_03186-0573_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer

Introductions. 059-YoungZalazar_03242-0580_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer

A trio of toasts. 060-YoungZalazar_03347-0604_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 061-YoungZalazar_03390-0610_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 062-YoungZalazar_03409-0613_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 063-YoungZalazar_03503-0626_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer

And then it was dinner time! 064-YoungZalazar_03341-0602_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 065-YoungZalazar_03634-0652_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer

The first dance.066-YoungZalazar_03694-0666_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 067-YoungZalazar_03651bw-0655_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer

Parent dances. 068-YoungZalazar_03717-0672_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 069-YoungZalazar_03763-0682_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer

Let the dancing begin! 070-YoungZalazar_03971-0719_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 071-YoungZalazar_03846-0700_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 072-YoungZalazar_03940-0712_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 073-YoungZalazar_03948-0713_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer

The cake cutting and charm pulling. 074-YoungZalazar_04150-0757_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 075-YoungZalazar_04192-0764_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 076-YoungZalazar_04203-0767_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer

The YMCA performance. 077-YoungZalazar_04231-0773_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer

And the crazy hat dance party!078-YoungZalazar_04361-0803_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 079-YoungZalazar_04403-0813_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer

Sam shot these two great photos of the bride and groom being tossed by their guests. 080-YoungZalazar_04593-0858_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 081-YoungZalazar_04638-0869_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 082-YoungZalazar_04771-0892_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 083-YoungZalazar_04792-0896_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 084-YoungZalazar_04856-0907_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 085-YoungZalazar_05042-0934_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 086-YoungZalazar_04816-0902_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 087-YoungZalazar_05040-0932_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer 088-YoungZalazar_05114-0942_JenniferMcMenaminPhotography_The-Woodend_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photography_Washington-DC-Wedding-Photographer

Many, many congratulations, Allison + Santiago. I could not have had more fun working with the two of you and your friends and families.

Credits:

Photography: Jennifer McMenamin Photography, LLC

Ceremony & Reception: The Woodend Sanctuary

Officiant: Father Michael Kelley

Ceremony musicians: Prelude brass quintet

Catering: Main Event Caterers

Rentals: Party Rentals Ltd.

Bridal attire: Lazaro gown from Love Couture Bridal

Make-up: Emmey Makeup Artistry

Hair: DryBar Bethesda

Bridesmaids’ attire: Dessy gowns from Nordstrom

Florist: Growing Wild

Cake: Fluffy Thoughts Bakery

DJ: Mike Blaufeld

 

Comments

  1. Denver Fashion Photographer

    What a beautiful series!

    Reply

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Wedding Confetti