Venue Idea: Mason District Park | Annandale, VA

Today's "venue idea" is yet another beautiful local park just aching to host your wedding ceremony.  There's big old signs everywhere saying you can't have alcohol (and in my book that means no reception), but Mason District Park would make a great ceremony site.  And if you have a lot of people but not much cash, there's a whole (outdoor) auditorium you can rent out for basically nothing. One of my favorite things about this area is that we are inches away from downtown Washington, DC and all the excitement and hustle the city has to offer, and also just a few steps from gorgeous open spaces and parks.  For instance, Mason District has an entire hiking path.  For much of this one-mile or so path, you could really believe you were in the middle of the woods somewhere.  I actually was concerned I might be lost at one point! There are also lots of lovely little bridges and things at this park, so it would make a beautiful, nature-y place to do a portrait session.  We could get a little hike in, too!  A word of caution: you must love the color green. Now this was so cool.  I was in my maybe-lost phase and the trail didn't look like it was headed anywhere interesting.  But maaaaaybe I'll just go a little further and see, I said to myself.  Then about two steps later, I see this rusted old car in the middle of the woods.  Awesome, right!? Hell yeah rusted-out car in the woods!  So random. Ceremony possibility: ampitheater, open air Reception possibility: Picnic areas, big gazebo Alcohol allowed?  Nope. Cost: Large picnic shelter  - $125, Uncovered regular old picnic area – $70, Ampitheatre (must rent for 4 hours) – $100 total! Awesomeness: 3/10 You’ll find everything you need to know here. If you’re interested in having portraits done at Mason District Park, drop me a line and we’ll chat!

Places | National Gallery of Art – Modern Wing

The National Gallery of Art is a really sweet place on the National Mall.  If you live here, I'm sure you are already familiar with the museum and its enormous collection of some fantastic art.  If you live here and you haven't been, I am tasking you to get to the damn museum this weekend!  It's free for pete's sake! In other news, you can't rent out any part of the museum for your wedding or other event.  Sorries.  But you can take pictures for personal use, so it would make a great place for a portrait session!  I am particularly fond of the modern wing - which has huge windows letting in brilliant, diffuse light, and lots of neato geographic pieces that make fantastic backdrops for the organic form of... you. It's not right for every couple, but it could make for a very quirky, very stylish portrait session.  There are so many little nooks and crannies to play in.  I love symmetry and this place speaks to that piece of my heart. If you're interested in a portrait session at the National Gallery of Art, drop me a line and we'll chat!

Venue Idea | Fort Ward Park | Alexandria, VA

When I was planning my own wedding, I looked into a lot of parks, intending to have an outdoor ceremony and reception.  If you're in the area, there's one very important thing you need to know about Arlington and Alexandria city venues: Alexandria allows alcohol, Arlington does not.  So if you're anything like me, that crosses the entirety of Arlington facilities off the list.  But it leaves all of Alexandria! I'd been to Fort Ward Park in the past for their annual Civil War reenactment (yes, I'm a nerd and enjoy these kind of things).  But there's so much more to the park!  I spent a lazy Sunday wandering around looking for nice spots for portraits and there are plenty.  It'd be a great place to do couple or engagement photos, and it'd make a fine reception site for your wedding. I turned the corner and fell in love with this little path.  I wish I had a bride to stick on it, but it was just me, myself and I. Venue information: Ceremony possibility: ampitheater (red brick) Reception possibility: Picnic area, big gazebo Alcohol allowed?  Yes, for groups over 50.  $25 charge. Cost: Large picnic shelter 4 hours - $628, Uncovered regular old picnic area (4 hours) - $208, Ampitheatre (must rent for 4 hours) - $244 Awesomeness: 4/10 The Alexandria rental website is actually somewhat easy to navigate.  You'll find everything you need to know here. If you're interested in having portraits done at Fort Ward Park, drop me a line and we'll chat!