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Rachel & Kevin — ThorpeWood — DC Wedding Photography

Rachel & Kevin were married in the woods of ThorpeWood the weekend that Hurricane Sandy blew through. Fortunately, their wedding was that Friday — in other words, two days before the winds and rain picked up. As I was editing their photos — resplendent with fall foliage in beautiful shades of red and orange and yellow — I couldn’t imagine how different that scene might have been just 48 hours later. They had a beautiful ceremony in the Pine Cathedral of ThorpeWood, a green lodge and events venue set on 100 acres nestled 1,500 feet high in the Catoctin Mountains just outside of Thurmont, Md. Jars of yellow and orange flowers, strung up on shepherd’s hooks along the aisle, and a wooden arch covered with the same fall blooms popped against the forest backdrop. Rachel had also asked for a photo of her dress hanging from a tree outside the lodge. (I was lucky to be working with my friend Jen Cody, a fabulously talented photographer herself, as my assistant that day as she was tall enough to hoist Rachel’s gown onto the branch! Her photos are sprinkled throughout the blog post alongside mine.) Rachel & Kevin incorporated a Persian honey ritual into their ceremony to honor Kevin’s Iranian heritage as well as a ring warming, in which the couple’s wedding bands are passed around from one guest to another to “warm” them with good wishes and prayers for a wonderful marriage. It was really lovely! Without further ado, here are some of my favorites from their big day:

Rachel brilliantly knew better than to try to teeter around on traditional heels on the woodsy and rocky grounds of her wedding venue.

The bride, looking beautiful.

I am in love with this next photo of Rachel with her mom, grandmother, aunt and cousin. What a wonderful group of women!

Meanwhile, Jen was with Kevin and his groomsmen as they readied for the wedding.

Rachel and Kevin chose to see each other before the ceremony. I love this little series of images of the two of them.

Despite the overcast skies, we were able to make some beautiful images with the gorgeous backdrops in the woods.

A few ceremony details. And then it was time to get married!

Ring warming.

I just love the next image on the right, shot by Jen, of Rachel’s cousin’s little boy as seen through the harp. So wonderful!

Married!

After some fun, efficient family photos at the ceremony site, Jen and I had a little bit of time with the newlyweds in the woods before returning to ThorpeWood’s lodge for the reception.

 A few reception details.

I loved the placecard ‘tree’ that Rachel and Kevin made. Such a beautiful idea for a fall wedding!

A few toasts.

A first dance.

A pair of parent dances.

And lots of fun dancing and merriment!

Congratulations, Rachel & Kevin. It was such a joy to work with you both and your families!

Credits:

Photography: Jennifer McMenamin Photography

Ceremony: The Pine Cathedral at ThorpeWood

Officiant: The Rev. Bill Cochran

Ceremony musicians: James Dronenburg

Reception: The Lodge at ThorpeWood

Catering: Canapes Catering

Bridal attire: Oleg Cassini

Groom’s attire: Kenneth Cole

Florist: Fresh flowers by florist Monica McCracken and dried floral centerpieces designed and created by Tendercrop Farms

Cake: Canapes Catering

DJ: Matt Shew of Shew-sical Entertainment

Invitations: Earthly Affair