Weddings come in all shapes and sizes! I’m delighted to be writing today about Jacqueline and Neil’s micro wedding in The Bahamas. These two celebrated their day with around 30 guests at The Cove – the most perfect resort in Eleuthera! This getaway spot offers so many different beautiful areas to explore – which definitely makes for great portrait backdrops!

The day before the wedding we did a portrait session by the pool, and then strolled around the resort for a few more photos. I could tell right away how comfortable Jacqueline and Neil are with one another, and how easy to photograph! They’ve been together for almost a decade, and their ease and joy in one another was so apparent. Jacqueline was such a stunning bride! She was absolutely radiant the entire time I spent with her – so much natural elegance and a true sense of style. Her Monique Lhuillier gown was both delicate and fierce. She really looked like a dream!

As you’d expect, the wedding day itself was warm and lovely, with fluffy pastel clouds floating in the sky all the way to the horizon. The bridal party was made up of Neil’s children and Jacqueline’s childhood best friend – very sweet. This celebration made it clear how special micro weddings can be. The couple can truly enjoy their guests, especially when it’s a destination wedding taking place over several days. And I’m so grateful for another collaboration with the amazing Marva of Chic Bahamas Weddings! As usual, all the details came together beautifully. At the end of the day, as Jacqueline and Neil and their guests enjoyed dinner under the stars on the beach, I found myself taking in the softly glowing lights and the gentle sounds of the ocean.

I hope these photos take you away, if only for a moment, to the beauty of The Bahamas and the joy of spending a special day with your loved ones.

The Cove Eleuthera Wedding. Portfolio

Design, Planning, flowers: Chic Bahamas Weddings / Venue: The Cove Eleuthera⁠ / Dress: Monique Lhuillier

Last November I travelled to Exuma, The Bahamas for Rachelle and Phil’s stunning destination wedding. These two tied the knot at Grand Isle Resort and Spa on white sands overlooking sparkling turquoise waters. Truly a slice of paradise for their friends and family!

Rachelle and Phil are Canadian, and while most of their 100+ guests flew in from Canada, they were joined by loved ones from all over. They are such a kind couple, it’s easy to see why so many people showed up to celebrate them. And the Grand Isle Resort was the ideal spot for this getaway! Guests stayed in villa-style apartments with absolutely beautiful ocean views. There was no need for anyone to drive anywhere, maximizing time for relaxation and being together. Indeed, that seemed to be a theme for this wedding – instead of a rehearsal dinner, Rachelle and Phil threw a big bonfire on the beach and everyone had a wonderful, laid-back time!

On the wedding day Rachelle was absolutely stunning in her Mikaella Bridal gown – and so gracious too. She thanked me several times throughout the day for being there. These two had been together for more than a decade at the time of their wedding, so guests had lots of fun stories to share during toasts! Phil is crazy about fishing, and everyone lovingly joked about how Rachelle still gets excited watching YouTube videos with him and looking at fishing magazines. Rachelle even surprised Phil with a fishing hook engraved with “You are my greatest catch”!

Finally, I must say what a pleasure it was to work with Marva from Chic Bahamas Weddings again. Each collaboration with her deepens my appreciation of what she does – and I hope these photos show the kind of magic she pulls off! Looking at the pictures now, I can still feel the joy of Rachelle and Phil and their guests as the Junkanoo band played long into the warm Bahamas night…

Grand Isle Resort Spa Wedding Exuma. Visit my portfolio here.

Vendors:

Design, Planning: Chic Bahamas Weddings / Venue and Catering Grand Isle Resort and Spa / Rentals: Chic Bahamas Weddings / Cocktail hour music: Michael Hoyte. DJ Zewein / Makeup and Hair: Allie Stuckey / Wedding Dress: Mikaella Bridal / Bridesmaids dress: Jenny Yoo Dresses

Tucked up in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia is a storied resort called The Greenbrier. I found myself traveling there last November to photograph the wedding of an exceptionally kind and laid-back couple, Susan and Ben. The welcoming grace of their families, Susan’s radiant smile throughout the day, and the gorgeous scenery made me grateful for every moment!

A bit about the Greenbrier: the history of this property is absolutely amazing! The nearby springs started attracting guests as early as 1778, and by the 1830s prominent members of society were vacationing there. During the Civil War and World War II the hotel and grounds played an important part in assisting the military, sometimes serving as a headquarters and hospital. There was even a secret bunker built there for Congress during the Cold War! In the late 1940s the property re-opened as a resort, with a new interior design plan by Dorothy Draper. Dorothy’s style is so whimsical – very much a statement, but timeless too (it influenced the TV series Mad Men!). I think you’ll get a sense of this in the dramatic chandeliers in the reception room and the bright floral accents.

Susan and Ben received their guests so well. Everyone was welcomed with true warmth and joy, so of course the day was an absolute pleasure. Susan’s mom wore a stunning floral gown that was perfectly fitted to the venue – and Susan herself was the picture of elegance in an Amsale gown with flower details and a long, ethereal veil. As the live band played into the night, the moon came up to glow softly over The Greenbrier…and I couldn’t help but feel grateful to do what I do!

I hope you enjoy these photos from Susan and Ben’s day! A huge thanks to Cheers Darling Events for always being so wonderful to work with!

The Greenbrier Wedding

Vendors:

Design and Planning: Cheers Darling Events / Florist and Rentals: Gillespie’s Flowers and Productions / Stationery: Minted / Venue, Cake and Catering: The Greenbrier / Music: Radiojacks (Sam Hill) / Hair and Makeup: Studio G / Wedding Dress and Veil: Amsale / Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Bridesmaids dress: Azazie / Groom and Groomsmen’s attire: The Black Tux

With summer in full swing, I’m excited to share details from Lara and Josh’s super fun Washington, DC wedding – with a reception at the International Spy Museum! This celebration was filled with love, laughter and emotion from start to finish, so of course I had a wonderful time behind the lens!

It’s always a privilege to work with a couple who have dedicated their lives to helping others, and Lara and Josh fall squarely into that category. They met one night at a Washington, DC bar after Lara had just completed a 12-hour nursing shift and was out celebrating a friend’s birthday. Lara was surprised to be approached by a handsome guy with a very serious question: “What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?” She was intrigued. They swapped answers, and soon the conversation revealed that Josh was in medical school and shared Lara’s passion for helping others – and that his own father and mother are a doctor and nurse, respectively! What a beautifully serendipitous moment! And it happened just in the nick of time, because Josh was scheduled to leave the next morning for a 3-month medical school rotation in San Diego. But the connection they’d made that night was strong. Lara and Josh’s relationship deepened over the miles, and eventually he returned. Two years later, at the end of an intense ICU rotation, Josh took Lara to dinner…where he proposed in front of a glowing Christmas tree with members of both their families looking on!

If you read my blog, you know I especially love watching two cultures come together to celebrate the joining of lives. One of the highlights of Lara and Josh’s day was when the Lebanese Zaffe Band brought them in for their grand entrance at the reception. All the guests were so excited to join in for the Dabke, a traditional Lebanese dance! Spirits were high and there was no doubt that everyone was having a ball. But there were also some quietly beautiful moments scattered throughout the day as well – like when Lara’s father saw her in her wedding dress, and later at the reception, when a toast moved Lara to tears.

How lucky am I that I get to spend last summer witnessing such life-affirming moments? I hope you enjoy these photos from Lara and Josh’s day!

View my wedding portfolio here.

Vendors:

Coordinator and Design: Dragonfly Events & Design / Florist: Nova Florals / Reception Venue: The Spy Museum / Videographer Olea Films / Stationary: Minted / Cake Artist: Milk Bar DC / Catering: Spilled Milk Catering / Ceremony music: JC Cantrell / Reception music: DJ Adam Carluccio / Hair & Make-up: Georgetown Bride / Wedding Dress: Pronovias / Bridesmaids dress: Bella Bridesmaids / Groom and Groomsmen’s attire: Black Tux