Liz & Zach | The Woodlands at Algonkian wedding | Sterling, VA

Liz and Zach were married at the beautiful, atmospheric and convenient Woodlands at Algonkian in Sterling, Va. amid bright colors, a huge group of supportive friends and a sea of glowsticks. The entire day oscillated between drizzle and steady rain, but Zach pushed on, determined to be married outdoors under the ridiculously well-decorated pergola. Ten minutes to go, he called it for outdoors, despite storm clouds all around. And, friends, it did not rain. Even Mother Nature loves these two. wedding photojournalist amber wilkie photography You get the impression that nobody ever dislikes Liz and Zach. They had tons of people at their wedding and everyone there seemed to be gushing with joy for them. Furthermore, my own dear husband who, bless his heart, can't keep any of my clients straight and I have to go through seven details of their wedding before I can tell him about this or that thing, always remembers Liz and Zach. The Woodlands has a number of cabins down the road from the reception hall, so many of their guests got to stay close by and get ready in the cabins. getting ready at the woodlands at algonkian william klein face layering street photography wedding bride's mother and friend help her get ready groom and groomsmen getting ready for the wedding Instead of a veil, Liz went for a beautiful floral crown, with bright colors matching the rest of the wedding. bride prepares for wedding at the woodlands at algonkian (L&Z - below left is one of my favorite wedding images, ever. You guys are so sweet.) photojournalism wedding photography Liz and Zach are going to travel the world here shortly, with an entire year spent going wherever. I don't envy many other people's lives (mine is pretty great) but that evokes some serious "wow, that is cool." Also, their friends and family decorated this pergola. portraits at the pergola at the woodlands at algonkian wedding portraits at the woodlands at algonkian You already love them, right? Obviously. beautiful atmospheric portraiture at the woodlands at algonkian wedding portraits at the woodlands at algonkian groom with rainbow umbrella at the woodlands at algonkian Liz and Zach's bridesmaids rocked this amazing rainbow, and the colors showed up all over their wedding - from umbrellas to menus. It was some of the best and most cheerful decoration I've seen at a wedding. bride with rainbow bridesmaids at the woodlands at algonkian wedding Here we have the groomsmen drying off the chairs before the wedding. Because it was literally still raining when they called it for outside. groomsmen drying off chairs at the woodlands at algonkian wedding bride waiting to walk out to the wedding bride entering the wedding ceremony at the woodlands at algonkian bride hugging her parents at the woodlands at algonkian the woodlands at algonkian wedding ceremony ring warming ceremony at the woodlands at algonkian wedding rainbow singers at the woodlands at algonkian wedding bridesmaids during the wedding at the woodlands at algonkian groom during the ceremony at the woodlands at algonkian wedding bride's parents during the outdoor wedding at the woodlands at algonkian bride laughing during the woodlands at algonkian wedding ceremony flower girl running in front of the ceremony at the woodlands at algonkian wedding outdoor ceremony wide angle at the woodlands at algonkian pergola the woodlands at algonkian wedding ceremony outside Meigh and I kept going "I can't believe they made it not rain." But they really did make it not rain. outdoor wedding at the woodlands at algonkian I couldn't get over the rainbow colors - it just worked so well for them and looked so good everywhere they employed it. One of my most relevant ring shots ever. rainbow bouquet and rainbow rings at the woodlands at algonkian wedding flower girl blowing bubbles at the woodlands at algonkian For the record, Liz asked me to take this photograph. Also, they served legit grown-up burgers for their guests. bride chowing down on a burger at the woodlands at algonkian wedding It was Liz's mom's birthday, so the whole wedding sang to her. bride singing happy birthday to her mother bride and groom reacting to bridesmaid toast bride and groom laughing across the room guests reacting to toast at the woodlands at algonkian bride and groom during parent speeches bride's parents speaking during the wedding reception first dance at the woodlands at algonkian wedding The Woodlands has these big windows behind the dance floor. That makes it difficult not to get yourself in the shot, but also means you can capture the crowd from multiple directions. Rock. dramatic first dance at the woodlands at algonkian wedding crazy awesome party at the woodlands at algonkian wedding baby enjoying the party at the woodlands at algonkian wedding dramatic lighting on the dancefloor at the woodlands at algonkian wedding hands in the air at the woodlands at algonkian wedding bride drinking on the dancefloor at the woodlands at algonkian wedding dance party at the woodlands at algonkian wedding groom hugging his brother at the woodlands at algonkian everybody dancing at the woodlands at algonkian wedding reception dance floor action at the woodlands at algonkian wedding dancing in a circle at the woodlands at algonkian wedding parent dance at the woodlands at algonkian wedding bride and her father dancing at the woodlands at algonkian wedding Zach's dad is the blurry stuff in the foreground. groom and his mother dance with father in foreground at the woodlands at algonkian wedding conga line at the woodlands at algonkian wedding bride getting down at the woodlands at algonkian wedding This. rockin ridiculous awesome photojournalism image Nothing like the girl on crutches getting down on the dancefloor. dancing with crutches at the woodlands at algonkian wedding Special thanks to Zach's brothers and groomsmen for helping with the execution of this glowstick light-painting portrait. outdoor light painting portrait with glow sticks wedding outdoor long exposure portrait with backlighting dance floor action at the woodlands at algonkian wedding bride dancing at the party at the woodlands at algonkian wedding last dance at the woodlands at algonkian wedding bride and groom during the last dance at the woodlands at algonkian bride and groom exit with glow sticks Liz and Zach's rockin' vendor team: Coordinator: Lula Mae Events Getting ready, ceremony and reception venue: The Woodlands at Algonkian Caterer: Great Blue Heron DJ: Marc Augenbraum Florist: Great Falls Florist (for Liz's floral crown). ALL other flowers (including the bouquet!) were done by Liz's friend, Jen Lopatin Liz's dress: David's Bridal with alterations from Lien's Dressmaking & Alterations (she did the gorgeous shoulder-piece) Zach's suit: Jos. A. Bank Transportation: Sunny's Limo