Miriam & RJ | Carnegie Institution for Science wedding | Washington, DC

Miriam and RJ were married at the Carnegie Institution for Science a few weeks ago, surrounded by some of the sweetest family I have ever met. And they played Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" without even a hint of irony, which, if you ask me, speaks a lot to how ridiculously genuine they are. Their brunch wedding in the beautiful rotunda was about the most relaxed it is possible for a wedding to be, with plenty of smiles to spare. first dance epic wedding photography at carnegie institution for science Miriam got ready upstairs in the kick-ass library. getting ready at the carnegie institution for science wedding carnegie institution for science wedding preparations hugging her grandmother at carnegie institution for science wedding the bride is so strong at carnegie institution for science wedding father of the bride sees her for the first time It was raining, so we had to do all the portraits inside. Luckily, the Carnegie Institution for Science has some brilliant decor to work with. bride with her bridesmaids at carnegie institution for science wedding bride and groom portraits at carnegie institution for science wedding fun dancing photos at carnegie institution for science wedding carnegie institution for science wedding portraits orange and white bouquet at carnegie institution for science wedding I seriously love this library. carnegie institution for science wedding portraits in the library Miriam and RJ set up their ceremony in the rotunda at Carnegie, with guests on all sides of them and their attendants standing behind them. Wonderfully inclusive for guests and tricky for the photographer! Luckily I had my brilliant second shooter Julia there with me. walking their son down the aisle at carnegie institution for science wedding Pretty much taken at the exact same moment as above. bride coming down the stairs at carnegie institution for science wedding wedding photojournalism in the rotunda at carnegie institution for science They included the Quaker element of allowing guests to stand up and speak if they feel moved. I love this as a wedding tradition. quaker wedding elements at carnegie institution for science parents of the bride during carnegie institution for science wedding wedding ceremony in the rotunda at carnegie institution for science wedding photojournalism in washington dc documentary wedding photography at carnegie institution for science bride and groom with wedding party behind them I put Julia on the "safe" shots, so I could move around. bride getting emotional during wedding ceremony end of the wedding ceremony in washington dc They hosted a brunch wedding, complete with drip-through coffee bar courtesy of Vigilante Coffee. drip-through coffee bar at a wedding RJ's mom absolutely dominated the photobooth. guests in the photobooth at a wedding bride and groom first dance at carnegie institution for science wedding carnegie institution for science wedding photojournalism bride and groom's first dance in the rotunda at carnegie institution for science wedding Miriam and her dad sang a song instead of dancing. They're quite the musical family. bride and her father singing at the wedding mother-son dance at carnegie institution for science wedding everyone dancing in the rotunda at carnegie institution for science wedding bride and groom dancing at carnegie institution for science wedding guests having a good time at carnegie institution for science wedding guests dancing in the rotunda bride and groom dancing with their friends at carnegie institution for science wedding guests dancing down the aisle bride and groom busting a move at carnegie institution for science wedding little girl eyeing the cake at carnegie institution for science wedding cake cutting at carnegie institution for science wedding This might have been Whitney. Not sure. Let's just pretend it was Whitney. I was like "hell yes." dancing at the brunch wedding I do a macro ring shot at most weddings. I go up to my peeps and ask to take their rings. Often they look a little wary, but consent. Miriam told me to be really careful - because her ring is "over 300 years old". Whaaaat? Those little hands are on their own separate rings, and slide closed to cover the heart. How freakin' awesome is that? bride's ring close up Miriam's dad getting down. He's actually chopping wood in that third frame. Yessss. father of the bride dancing at the morning wedding groom dancing at the wedding everybody at the wedding dancing and having a good time dance photos from carnegie institution for science wedding My favorites. bride and groom jumping for joy at carnegie institution for science wedding group hug at carnegie institution for science wedding My SEO-grabbing hidden title for this picture is "bride runs through a circle of high fives." We should all have a circle of high-fives at our weddings. bride running through a circle of high fives bride's family laughing at the end of the wedding bride and groom celebrating the end of the wedding Congratulations guys! Miriam & RJ's vendor team: Coordinator: Meigh with Lula Mae Events Ceremony and Reception venue: Carnegie Institution for Science Catering: Eat & Smile Catering Drip-through coffee bar: Vigilante Coffee Cake: Capitol Sweets Florist: Local Color Flowers Miriam's dress: J. Crew RJ's suit: Epaulet (New York)