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Maureen & Scott – The Decatur House – Washington DC wedding photography

I didn’t actually meet Maureen and Scott until their wedding day. But I was pretty sure their wedding would be fantastic from a few key details I gleaned from Maureen over the phone. First, her schedule mentioned that pedicabs would transport the wedding party from St. Patrick Catholic Church after the ceremony to Lafayette Square Park, where we would be taking photos before the reception at the historic Decatur House. “Pedicabs?” I asked. “You mean those bicycle cabs like they have in Times Square?” That was precisely what she meant. And she had the foresight to hire enough of them, from DC Pedicab, so that I could hop in, too, to shoot the three-wheeling ride. Secondly, she told me she had a surprise planned for her groom — but that it would depend on the Capitals ice hockey team losing in the playoffs the week of their wedding. Since Scott is a huge Caps fan, she arranged for the team’s mascot, Slapshot the Eagle, to greet guests at their cocktail hour. If the team advanced to the next round of playoffs, however, Slapshot would be on the road. She joked that she didn’t know what to root for — a loss that would ensure Slapshot’s attendance at her wedding or a win that would make her soon-to-be husband very happy. Imagining the fun photos we’d get with that kind of surprise for the groom, I volunteered to cheer for a Caps loss for her.

Here are some of my favorites from their fantastic, super-fun day:

Maureen got dressed at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Because the 216-year-old church is so historic, the new getting-ready room for brides was built directly onto the side of the church — meaning the wall of the room is the original stone exterior of the church. It’s really beautiful.

Maureen made quite the entrance.

The bride’s mom.

I love that Maureen and Scott wouldn’t even let go of each other’s hands when taking their seats in the sanctuary.

The wedding party.

Did I mention that the groom is from New Zealand? Yes, he (and his New Zealander groomsmen) did have a fabulous accent. Maureen referred to their wedding week as the Kiwi Invasion.

Channeling their inner Beatles.

Now for those previously mentioned pedicabs. What a fun way to get your wedding party across DC in traffic!

I love this next image, shot through the arm of the cyclist peddling the cab in which a bridesmaid and I were riding.

And we were off to Lafayette Square Park — just across from the White House — to shoot photos of the newlyweds and their wedding party.

A few portraits of Maureen and Scott, enjoying their newlyweddedness.

By the time we finished up, everyone was ready for a little air conditioning back at the Decatur House.

The couple’s color scheme of green and blue looked lovely against the pink flowers of the centerpieces by Ultra Violet Flowers. The couple’s caterers, 3 Citron, coordinated the linens, chairs, tables and other rentals with Perfect Settings. Everything was just stunning.

And about that gigantic eagle: I love this series of images, starting from the moment that Scott first spotted Slapshot and ending with Slapshot’s chivalrous gesture of kissing (pecking?) Maureen’s hand.

A little Kiwi pride.

One last funny story: Maureen and Scott invited the Obamas to their wedding. Neither the first couple nor their social secretaries responded (and it turned out that the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was the same night). So Maureen and Scott and their friends toted around a Barack bobblehead. He was with the bridesmaids before the ceremony. And on the head table at dinner.

And on the dance floor.

And even between the newlyweds when the bride’s brother refused to stop clinking his glass to signal his desire that she kiss her new husband. So she and Scott kissed Barack instead.

The groom thanked their guests and toasted his wife before the Blue Tips Rhythm Revue took over the mike and kept the dance floor packed the rest of the night with their mix of Motown, Soul and Classic Rock. They were fantastic!

Congratulations, Maureen & Scott. It was so, so much fun to be with you on your wedding day.