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Claudia & Scott — The Oval Room — Washington DC wedding photography

I was so excited for the glorious fall weather that was predicted for Claudia & Scott’s wedding in Washington DC. After being plagued by so much rain and/or overcast skies at so many weddings in a row this fall, I was completely yearning for some gorgeous, golden light to work with. Our afternoon in Lafayette Square — just across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House — could not have been nicer.

It kicked off a truly lovely wedding. The bride got ready at the Hay-Adams Hotel, where her room offered stunning views of the Washington Monument in the distance (and the marchers of a gay-rights demonstration much closer by). Floral designer Shawn Nocher of the Floral Studio created beautiful bouquets and arrangements in every shade of orange, red and yellow that fall has to offer. And event planner Kate Beck helped the bride choose beautiful linens and other details to personalize the Oval Room, the swanky restaurant where the foodie couple was married and then celebrated with their guests over a multi-course dinner.

Here are some of my favorites from the day:

Claudia checks out her make-up for the first time and loves it.

There are always certain details about my clients’ wedding plans that stick with me from our very first meeting together. With Claudia, it was the red shoes she told me she intended to wear and the birdcage veil she bought for her ceremony. Both looked fabulous on her on her wedding day.

Scott, looking dapper in a formal kilt and tuxedo jacket, poses with his darling daughter, Katie. She brought a couple of friends to the wedding to keep her company.

And we were off to the park for some quick portraits in that gorgeous light.

There are, obviously, always lots of tourists in DC. That’s even more true on weekends and especially so whenever a demonstration or celebration of some sort draws tens of thousands of people to Washington. Claudia & Scott made appearances in countless strangers’ photographs that afternoon. This man even ran right up to them and had his friend snap a photo with the couple. It was a riot.

We quickly headed to this less-traveled path in the park — which also happened to be ablaze with fantastic fall foliage.

Just in front of the fence on the White House lawn…

I love love love these next three. The contrast in footwear.

The elegance and sass.

The obvious love between them.

And finally, it was off to the Oval Room to get married.

Both Scott & Claudia wrote their own vows to each other. They were just charming. Claudia, for example, thanked Scott and his daughter for welcoming her — and her sizable shoe collection — into their lives.

Enjoying cocktails on the restaurant’s patio…

The restaurant served as a perfect spot for an intimate wedding dinner.

There were lots of toasts from the couple’s friends and relatives, prompting both tears and laughter.

A first dance. A farewell to some departing friends. And finally, freedom from that fashionable footwear for the bride…

Congratulations, Claudia & Scott. It was a real pleasure working with you on your wedding day!