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Victoria & Tim – Meridian House – Washington wedding photography

When I first met with Victoria and Tim, Victoria said she wanted her wedding to be filled with lots of color — “bright and summery,” she explained. Her wishes could not have come more true. As she and Tim exchanged vows in the gorgeous gardens of the Meridian House in Washington DC,  absolutely perfect golden light poured through the trees. The bride and her bridesmaids carried bouquets of summery blooms, designed by Amaryllis, while the tables in the dining room and the grove for cocktail hour featured clusters of hydrangea and roses. And reception lighting, by Frost Lighting, as well as a four-tier wedding cake and individually tied sacks of macaroons at each guest’s place, both by Patisserie Poupon, added more pinks and oranges to the color palette for the day. Everything could not have been lovelier.

Here are some of my favorites from the day:

Victoria got ready at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. One good thing about getting dressed for your wedding in a really nice hotel is that the backgrounds are uncluttered for photos and there are usually great windows. Such was the case in the spot where Victoria’s mom, sister and friends worked on all the buttons on the back of her dress.

This was my first time shooting at the Meridian House and it instantly became one of my most favorite spots. In addition to creating the flower arrangements for the wedding, the team from Amaryllis strung up lanterns in the grove where guests gathered before the ceremony and for cocktails afterward. It was simply beautiful.

I loved how each bridesmaid’s bouquet was different but tied in with Victoria’s bridal bouquet.

And I love love loved this bridal bouquet.

Victoria estimated that she tried on 64 dresses to find this one by Rivini at Carine’s Bridal Atelier. I think it was worth the search! Here she is, looking gorgeous.

My friend and second shooter, Monica, captured this image of Victoria in the garden before the ceremony.

It was supposed to be unbearably hot and humid in DC on the wedding day. But it was pleasantly not quite as warm as predicted. And the bride and groom provided darling paper fans for their guests for the ceremony.

Finally, it was time to get married.

Monica was tucked away on the second floor of the house, shooting from a window to get this wonderful perspective during the ceremony.

For one of the readings, a friend of Victoria’s read a children’s story called A Lovely Love Story. The tale tells of a dinosaur and “the lovely other dinosaur.” Their friend adapted the story to fit the bride and groom. It was so charming.

I just love this next series of three images. Victoria is so expressive that she was a particular joy to photograph.

The exchange of vows, which Victoria and Tim wrote themselves.

I could not have asked for more perfect light during the ceremony.

I love how Tim is looking at Victoria here.

We shot family pictures and portraits of Victoria and Tim in the gardens, where the light kept getting better and better as we got closer to sunset.

I love this one.

And this one.

The grove was a perfect place for cocktail hour.

Victoria and Tim hired a guitarist, Levi Stephens, to play for the ceremony and cocktail hour. He was really talented and a wonderful alternative to the more common string musicians at weddings.

Professional lighting makes such a difference at receptions, particularly in many of the beautiful, but often dimly lit, historic venues in Washington. Frost Lighting provided wonderful uplighting in the rooms for dining and dancing.

Sweet little macaroons for guests.

Victoria and Tim’s relatives and friends offered a fabulous series of toasts to the newlyweds.

A little cake cutting.

A little dancing.

And, as Victoria and Tim put it on their invitations, a feast and merriment!

Congratulations, Victoria and Tim. It was an absolute joy to be with you on your wedding day!