Old Town Alexandria Wedding

I can’t imagine a better way to wrap up the 2011 wedding season. Zoe and Kenyon had THAT wedding – the one that reminds you what marriage, love, laughter, and friendship are all about. With only a handful of guests and a small assortment of (delicious) details, this wedding was about the marriage. The future. And the hilarity that gets you through every day together as partners and friends. Mike and I agreed – this is the kind of wedding we want to have. (Though, to be quite honest, I think we’ll try for a warmer day…)

Zoe did most of the planning and detail-making herself. And, fortunately for us, she’s an artist and graphic designer in real life… so the details were exquisite.

Zoe’s son Ben hung out with Kenyon in the groom’s room – it was more chill down there, and there was an iPad.

Meanwhile, I hung out with Zoe in the dressing room. Where Zoe kept busy being stunning.

Kenyon’s family was nothing but mischief and laughs and style…

Aaaand it’s go time…

I *love* weddings like this. No formality, no hushed voices, no worries over kids talking, babies crying, guests coughing, text messages chiming in. You always get the feeling that the couples who choose to have these informal, relaxed, welcoming ceremonies are exactly like that in their private lives – open door, comfy couch, time enough for everyone. Shooting a wedding like this makes you feel like you’re a part of their family, too. Like you’re watching TV on their big comfy couch, sipping coffee and laughing at their jokes. Warm, cozy, familiar. It’s hard not to smile and laugh and cry along with the families, even when you don’t get the inside jokes. There’s nothing quite like a small wedding.

iPad vows!!!

beee-yooo-tee-ful.

Tried to get Ben to give me a few minutes for portraits…

Oh Ben, it’s not so bad…

Ah, and here’s another attempt at a family portrait, this time with Kenyon’s brother and brood. It didn’t, uh, work out the way I wanted…

We finally had a few free moments to whisk the newlyweds away for some pictures…

And then it was time to sign the Marriage Certificate! I love this series… you can so plainly see how much Zoe adores her groom…

…and what a great storyteller Kenyon is…

What’s this? Is that Ben, looking at the camera AND SMILING? OMG!

Look at this beautiful family.

Happy Holidays, you three. We LOVED working with you, we can’t WAIT to finish up your edit so we can re-live the day through your photos… and we hope to stay in touch with you for years to come. Thank you so much for having us. We couldn’t have picked a better way to spend that weekend.

Venue: The Lorien Hotel and Spa
Details, Flowers, Decorations: Zoe and Nunu