Washington, DC is a special place for Michal and Ezra. While they currently live in Cambridge, MA, they both previously lived in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of the city and wanted to capture that time of their life in their portraits. To make this possible during the busy wedding day, Michal rented a limo to chauffer us from the first look photos to the Lincoln Memorial, Eastern Market and around Capitol Hill. As we passed the places that brought them together, hearing Ezra and Michal laugh and reminisce about their journey as a couple was an absolute highlight of the day.
The day began at the Hotel Monaco, a boutique hotel in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. With the entire bridal party getting ready on the same floor, there was a wonderful energy and excitement as the bride and groom did their best not to run into each other in the hallway. While having hair and makeup done, Michal, her sister, mother and friends joined together to reminisce and to sing along to NSYNC and Disney soundtracks. Meanwhile, Ezra and his friends were off in their hotel room, getting ready while watching a football game. One of the highlights of Ezra getting ready was seeing his reaction when opening Michal’s present to him that morning, a Montblanc pen! The perfect gift for the recent graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. As for Michal getting ready, being there to witness her mother and father see her in her wedding dress for the first time was a moment that we will never forget. And judging by the looks on both of their faces, neither will they.
For the first look photos, we found a charming cobblestone alleyway a few blocks from the hotel. This made sure that their first time seeing each other would be a private affair, save for a few family and friends peeking around the corner to watch the event unfold!
After the first look and the portraits around the city, it was off to the wedding and reception at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, an actual torpedo factory built at the end of WWI and used during WWII. The building was recommissioned as an artist and gallery space in the 70’s and now hosts weddings and events. Sitting on the edge of of the Potomac River, its unique vintage architecture made it the perfect location to host Michal & Ezra’s joyous family.
When we photo a wedding, we secretly spend all day waiting for the reception. Why? Because the dancing and celebrating that ensues is a release of all the stresses that come with planning a wedding mixed with the immense joy of a couple celebrating their first hours of marriage. Michal and Ezra’s reception might be our favorite one yet!
LOCATION alexandria va
WEDDING & RECEPTION torpedo factory art center
HOTEL hotel monaco
