DC wedding photographer | Amber Wilkie Photography » Photography for awesome people.

Mardi Gras

There is a distinct nostalgia among those who spend any significant period of time in New Orleans. And though for some of us, those years were college years and therefore imbued with all the nostalgia of any college experience, we know that it is a very special place. And now, living in buttoned-up Washington, we find ourselves frequently wishing for those carefree years of public binge drinking, potholes the size of refrigerators, astoundingly ineffective local government and the ever-looming threat of “the big one.” I jest! New Orleans will always be, in some strange way, home. Thus, my friends and I found ourselves trying to bring the “real” Mardi Gras spirit to Clarendon’s family-friendly “parade” last month.

clarendon mardi gras parade

Jude & Mark | Danby Castle wedding | North Yorkshire, England

Before I start gushing, let me say a huge thank you to the amazing Kari Bellamy, who let me tag along at Jude and Mark’s wedding. If you’re a long-time follower of the blog, you might recall that I spent a good month in England and Belgium last year. As luck would have it, Kari needed a second photographer in that timeframe for a wedding in Yorkshire. In a castle. With an incredible couple. With a vintage tea party theme. Are you excited yet? Oh my god, this wedding. Also, it was in the English countryside and the heather was in bloom. Seriously, guys, this wedding.

bride and groom portraits in the heather

These are the kinds of venues wedding photographers get to work in England. This is Danby Castle, in North Yorkshire. It’s the place where Catherine Parr moved after Henry VIII died. No, really.

danby castle weddingwedding guests at danby castle ceremonyflower girls at danby castle weddingwedding ceremony at danby castlenorth yorkshire wedding ceremony in a castle

Serena SevertsonMarch 7, 2013 - 12:33 pm

This looks so amazing and incredible and fun. :D You did an awesome job capturing this!

Kari BellamyMarch 7, 2013 - 12:45 pm

It was so awesome to have you along Amber!

PorterMarch 7, 2013 - 12:54 pm

freakin LOVE that first shot, that place is gorgeous!

Robert SwaniganMarch 7, 2013 - 1:35 pm

What an amazing wedding location!! You absolutely nailed these!! Great work!

MaggieMarch 7, 2013 - 1:42 pm

There is so much awesome in these photos I don’t even know what to say!

Dale LempaMarch 7, 2013 - 2:19 pm

Great work. Any of these are contest winners, hands down.

MicaMarch 8, 2013 - 5:20 pm

Ah, Amber, Amber! I love everything about this! You had me at the blooming heather. Did they say “plight thee my troth”?

Thank you so much for sharing!

AlbertMarch 12, 2013 - 4:37 pm

Stunning work!!

Love Point at Kent Island | Eastern Shore wedding

I’m so pleased to share this beautiful wedding I second shot with Jessica Shepard late last year. The couple was so adorable and joyous and I loved their beachy decorations (and orange touches!). One quick note – before you fall in love with this venue (as I did), know that they have had some serious problems and are currently closed. Too bad – it was such a lovely place for these happy kids:

dancing at love point at kent island wedding

I don’t often go out to the Eastern Shore – not sure why, just don’t get that many folks asking about it (though I would love to do a beach wedding this year!). So it was really nice to be by the water. Here’s the view from the bride’s hotel suite:

maryland eastern shore weddingeastern shore wedding getting-readygroom at eastern shore weddinggroom getting ready at eastern shore wedding

Love Point at Kent Island really was a gorgeous venue. I had to stop the car on the drive in and take some photos.