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Emily and Jake were married on a beautiful summer day at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.

The morning of their wedding day began with a first look and then we took photos around the museum.

Emily and Jake met in Washington, D.C., about two and a half years ago.

Emily shares, “The National Museum of Women in the Arts was a “Jake find” and I fell in love with it the minute I saw it.  My favorite part was the opportunity to have our cocktail hour surrounded by amazing paintings and photographs.

Our wedding day was perfect.  Despite two very different visions of what a perfect wedding day might look like, we both ended up really happy.  Everyone said the day was a reflection of both of us.”

From the first time I stepped into the National Museum of Women in the Arts, I thought what an amazing space for a wedding! When Emily contacted me about her wedding I got so excited. Not only is the lobby with its grand marble staircases and ornate arched windows gorgeous, but the building is full of wonderful art. Not to mention, as a woman working in an artistic field, I felt honored to  work within the space.

When the ceremony began, Emily made a dramatic entrance as she walked down the staircase and then down the aisle with her father.

You can see the importance of their friends and family by the way Emily and Jake set up the ceremony. The guests were seated surrounding the Chuppah on all sides, as if they were an extension of the four pillars. The Jewish tradition of being married under a Chuppah symbolizes the home that the couple will build together. Emily and Jake will have a very strong home.

Emily continues, “We underestimated how amazing it would feel to be surrounded by friends and family, everyone happy and supportive. The guests were definitely what made the day so special.

Compliments about the amazing band and dance floor went straight to our hearts!

A good, old friend of Jake’s played the ukulele during our ceremony. It was a beautiful touch and made us both smile.”

Congratulations Emily and Jake!

Check out more photos in the slideshow:

Jessica and Dirk planned an intimate elopement at the Annapolis courthouse.

Jessica shares, “Dirk and I met almost five years ago. I interviewed with him to join the law firm where we are both currently working. We have worked in offices next to each other since then and started dating after we both went through divorces. We still work in the same offices!

When Dirk proposed in May, we didn’t even think about setting a date at first. We just wanted to enjoy being engaged. Once we started thinking about the planning, we knew we wanted something romantic but relaxed. We both wanted to keep the focus of the day on the marriage.  My grandmother eloped and I loved hearing her stories about her wedding day when I was young.  She used to get such a sweet smile on her face when she would tell me the story. As we explored our options, we thought what better way to keep the day focused on the marriage itself then to keep the ceremony private? A few weeks later, we went to the courthouse in Annapolis!”

Jessica and Dirk celebrated with their close family, including Dirk’s two children, Jessica’s three sisters and Jessica’s mom, pictured below.

Jessica added, “We plan to hold a party in May so we can celebrate the entire year of marriage with our friends and family.”

Congratulations Jessica and Dirk!

Special thank you to:
Ceremony: Annapolis Courthouse
Officiant: Robert P. Duckworth, Anne Arundel County Circuit Court
Hair Styling: Hudson and Fouquett, Annapolis
Makeup: Amber Kwong, Makeup Memories
Photography by Jessica Schmitt 

Cathy and Adrian were married on a gorgeous summer day in Brooklyn. They began the day at the Andaz Hotel with friends and family.

The couple shared a first look outside of their venue, Brooklyn’s 501 Union. The art deco lamps, retro palms wallpaper and skylight make this venue one of my absolute FAVORITES!

Cathy, you look STUNNING!

Just down the street is the Gowanus Canal–a perfect stop for some photos. As I was snapping away, people on bikes and in cars drove by cheering and honking for the couple!

While I was photographing the bridesmaids and groomsmen, Eric, my awesome second shooter and amazing husband, took these wonderful portraits of the ring bearer and flower girl.

The ceremony took place at the Saint Agnes Roman Catholic Church.

After the couple said “I DO!” they traveled back to 501 for the cocktail hour and reception.

Cathy shares, “When Adrian and I started the wedding planning process, we knew we didn’t want a formal, seated dinner. We wanted our reception to be a big party, so we decided to go with a cocktail-style reception, with lots of random seating scattered throughout the venue. We visited tons of wedding venues in Brooklyn and Manhattan, but none of them felt right to us. Then we heard about a new venue opening in our neighborhood – 501 Union. We went to a wedding fair at 501, and fell in love with the venue. It’s such a unique and interesting space, and we knew it would really lend itself to a cocktail-style reception. Plus, we loved the fact that it was in our neighborhood, allowing us to share that part of our lives with our guests.

Cathy and Adrian shared their first dance to Led Zeppelin’s Thank You.

Then it was time to PARTY!

Congratulations Cathy and Adrian!

For more photos, check out the slideshow:

Also, check out their Brooklyn engagement photos here.

Special thanks to all the vendors:
Church: Saint Agnes Roman Catholic Church
Venue: 501 Union, Brooklyn
Officiant: Deacon Leroy Branch
Caterer: Marcey Brownstein Catering & Events
Cake: One Girl
Cake Topper: Etsy’s Licorice Wits
Band: Just the Tip
Florist: Seaport Flowers
Invitations: Bella Figura

Signage: Sharp Shooter Signs

Photo Booth: Magnolia Photo Booth
Makeup: Candace Henderson of Lo & Co.
Hair: Dennis Trotta of Pierre Michel Salon
Rings: Michael F. & Co.
Bride’s Dress Designer: Allure Bridals
Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff
Groom’s Tuxedo Designer and Bow Tie: Hugo Boss
Groomsmen Tuxedo Designer: Calvin Klein/Men’s Wearhouse

Jenn and Chris were married on a beautiful summer day at the Musket Ridge golf course Catoctin Hall in Myersville, Maryland.

The couple shared a first look on the steps leading to the ceremony. So sweet!

Jenn shares, “When we were looking for a wedding venue, we fell in love with Musket Ridge because of the stunning views of the golf course and Western Maryland mountains.  We knew it would be the perfect backdrop for our ceremony and reception. We really lucked out with the weather and it was a beautiful July day.

We wanted our wedding to be fun and summery – we made our programs into fans (to acknowledge the Maryland summer heat & humidity!) and gave out custom koozies as our favors.”

Such a gorgeous view!

MARRIED!

Jenn continues, “One special touch was displaying framed pictures of our parents’ and grandparents’ wedding days (see photo in slideshow, below). Some of the pictures had been tucked away for years and we’d never seen them.  We have such great examples of strong, loving marriages in our family that we wanted to recognize.

Some of our favorite moments of the day are from the reception – our first dances with our Dad & Mom and late night dancing with our friends & family.  People really brought it to the dance floor!”

Congratulations Jenn and Chris!

Check out more photos in the slideshow:

Check out Jenn and Chris’s engagement photos last fall in Central Park.

Lora and Joel were married on a beautiful day on Long Island.

The bride and groom got ready for the day in a nearby hotel.

Lora and Joel shared a first look at the Land’s End, just before the ceremony.

Choosing to have a wedding at the Land’s End on Long Island lent itself to a wedding style fit for the shore. Travel and the ocean are important to Lora and Joel and they were sure to include that theme in their wedding. Tropical colors, organic flowers, and a casual yet elegant outdoor ceremony came together to make the perfect day!

Joel shares, “We chose our venue because it was beautiful and it was by the beach, which is a key element in our relationship. The beach is where we first kissed, where we hung out in the summertime, where we first vacationed outside of the country, where I proposed, and it’s the place where we could always find some serenity.”

Joel shares his favorite moments from the wedding day: “The first look and our wedding vows were my favorite moments. The first look was one, mostly because I missed her, and I felt so blessed and fortunate when I saw her, and I remember thinking “I can’t believe I’m spending the rest of my life with this beautiful woman!” Our marriage vows were very important to me too. The vows are something I take to heart; it’s a promise that’s not meant to be broken. I think sometimes people take that for granted, and I wanted her to know that is something I would never do.”

MARRIED!

After the ceremony everyone went inside to the ballroom for dinner and dancing. Guests found their names on travel escort postcards.

What a gorgeous cake! The pink flowers are actually edible!

Congratulations Lora and Joel!

Check out more photos in the slideshow!

Also, Check out their Coney Island engagement photos here!