On a cool evening in autumn, guests gathered on the terrace of the Hotel Palomar as the sun set over Georgetown in the far off distance. Pink and Gold stars and drapery hung from the Huppa and hurricane candles lit the aisle that Emily would walk down to meet and marry her best friend, Carl. On their wedding program was a quote from Coldplay. Look at the Stars. Look how they shine for you.
The entire evening can be summed up in a single word: Romantic. Everything from the soft pink and cream roses that adorned the unique antique brass vases that Emily searched and collected for months to the hundreds of tealight candles scattered throughout the Hotel Palomar’s Domaso Restaurant. And Emily’s dress. OH MY GOD. I can’t even begin to describe how much I am in love with this dress. She literally looked like a greek goddess with cascading rows of sparkling pink and gold bangle bracelets. Unbelievable. I’ll be honest in saying I know very few brides who could pull off this dress, but Emily rocked it.
From the minute I met Emily and Carl, I knew that this couple had style and that this wedding was going to be pretty amazing. I can still remember standing in my booth at the Bridal Show watching Emily and Carl first walk by. They didn’t stop immediately, and I remember thinking “that couple is sooooo my couple! why aren’t they coming in to talk to me! come back!!!” And they did. About 30 minutes later they came back, sat down and talked to me and I knew that I really wanted to work with this couple. They were just so fun, warm and laid-back. The one thing I didn’t know about them until the wedding day was just how crazy about each other they were. But when Emily came down from her suite to see Carl for the first time before the ceremony and she started crying, it was then that I saw it. The way Carl looked at Emily, smiled and wiped away her tears and whispered “I love you” said it all…
Amazing Vendors who helped pulled off this spectacular wedding:
Coordinator Kelly O’Driscroll from Weddings for All Seasons
Venue: Hotel Palomar, Arlington
Catering: Domaso Trattoria Moderna Restaurant, Hotel Palomar
Florist: Tierra Floral Design
Lighting: John Farr Lighting
Music: Music Masters and St. Charles Strings
Hair: Alison Souza from Belle Souer
Makeup: Jeff Enriquez
Cake: Bread and Chocolate
Check out that bling. I love it.
Gorgeous.
Carl. Looking pretty handsome himself.
One of my favorites from the day.
Emily and Carl's First Look.
Love this image.
And this one too!
This was absolutely one of the most stylish bridal parties of the season!
Emily did a lot of the decor herself. She found the vintage vases and candle holders over the months at various stores. She then kept the floral arrangements simple and clean. I love the final look - very romantic.
So cute!
A couple of heartwarming toasts.
I just loved this one of her and her dad dancing.
I love the photoshopping done to the images. They look so classic. May I also ask what camera you use? Is it the 5d MkII? I know a lot of photographers use this, but the images just really look amazing. I shoot with the Nikon d90 and d7000.
Martin, thanks for the comment. I use D700′s…there’s is really minimal photoshopping done to the images. Rather, I process in Lightroom.
I appreciate the reply and have to say: Yeah for Nikon! I rarely speak to wedding photographers who shoot with Nikons, so when I do, it’s a pleasant surprise.
[...] first met Cara when she was about 6 months pregnant. She was a bridesmaid in Emily and Carl’s wedding at the Hotel Palomar…and she look stunning. She was the perfect pregnant woman – small, [...]
Wow, I LOVE this couple’s style! Beautiful pictures, Michelle. Their portraits are to die for!
Thank you so much everyone for the wonderful feedback!
wow. that is so ridiculously beautiful. i am speechless. every photo is amazing. swoon.
holy cow lady.. so insanely amazing.. I just LOVE the last shot.. her 2nd dress is to die for (well so is the first one) you always blow me away love.. ALWAYS!