Sara & Aleko | Saint Sophia Greek wedding | Washington, DC – Developer and Photographer

I met Sara and Aleko at an APW book signing and we’ve been rocking ever since. Sara was incredibly awesome in writing me a review before I even photographed her, so of course I had to pull out all the stops for her wedding. But the stops, my friends, were pulled for me. Because, seriously. This was my first time photographing a Greek wedding and it was cuh-razy. In fact, I’m a little upset because a) it’s too late for me to have a Greek wedding and b) none of my relatives would have a prayer of pulling off these dances. Yeah, and then they broke plates on the dance floor. Y’all, Sara and Aleko:

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They got ready in their apartment near Eastern Market and Sara’s best lady’s apartment, directly downstairs.

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First look on the balcony!

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Your first glimpse at what these folks are really like. Yes, they are fake slapping each other during their first look.

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Dayum lady!

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Many thanks to the always fabulous Ayesha Ahmad for coming out to shoot this one with me.

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They don’t call it a cathedral for nothing.

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We did bride and groom portraits half a block down from their reception at Kellari Greek Taverna on K Street. Truth is, I love shooting in urban areas. Sara and Aleko look like they’re about to own Washington. Cuz they are.

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First dance over, it was time for everybody to get their groove on, Greek-style. This includes choreographed dancing in circles, holding napkins between hands, foot slapping and throwing money. I learned it’s traditional to throw money at the bride and groom or their family if you want to dance with them. By the end of this, the ground was covered in bills. It. was. awesome.

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And then they started breaking plates.

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This guy is so so so great. This is where my I-want-a-Greek wedding falls apart. No one in my family can do this.

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This happened as I was leaving.

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Congratulations, Sara & Aleko!

Sara & Aleko’s sweet vendor team:
Ceremony: Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church
Reception and catering: Kellari Taverna
DJ: Tommy Gatz
Florist: Surroundings Floral
Sara’s ridiculously stunning dress: Betsy Robinson, Baltimore
Aleko’s suit: Nordstrom
Cupcakes: Hello Cupcake (also the site of part of their engagement session!)

12 Comments

Tina Tabibi · September 21, 2012 at 9:44 am

The reception photos rock! They definitely had a good time!

Eleni Mekrizis Papgianni · September 21, 2012 at 1:37 pm

OMG! SOOOOOOOOOOO JEALOUS I WASN’T THERE YOU GUYS!:( hope you all the best!

nick · September 21, 2012 at 3:04 pm

wow that first portrait of her is so perfect!

bryan · September 21, 2012 at 3:31 pm

orthodox ceremonies are my favorite 🙂

PJ · September 21, 2012 at 4:14 pm

looks like so fun wedding and great work Amber…

Anja · September 22, 2012 at 5:52 pm

Looks like it’s been a hell of a party! I love your way of telling the story of their day. So many beautiful moments!

Carole Bishop Fitzgerald · September 23, 2012 at 12:34 am

One proud mama……..Opa!

Dennis · September 23, 2012 at 2:44 am

The reception photos are incredible. Stellar work capturing the emotions.

Jonathan David · September 23, 2012 at 7:43 am

Wow – I love those reception shots! Looks like so much fun!

Johanna · September 23, 2012 at 2:11 pm

Amber and Ayesha, power duo! 🙂 Looks like a wedding I would totally like to attend, so much fun in this set!

Tracy Morter · September 23, 2012 at 6:27 pm

What a fun day and you’ve captured it perfectly!

Nick Evans · September 23, 2012 at 10:00 pm

Superbly captured! That dancefloor looks FUN!