I was informed (by an outside source) that Mark and Stephen's wedding was the "event of the year" and I certainly cannot argue with that statement. Their wedding was absolutely raucous with, by far, the dirtiest dancing music I have heard at a wedding. And that was before we went to Town for the after party. Plus, look at these two gentlemen:
Mark and Stephen got ready at their home near Meridian Hill Park. Chloe, their enormous spotted great dane, helped with prep by cowering in a corner the whole time.
Then we scooted to the park for some portraits and family formals.
OMG I love them.
Big thanks to
Porter for coming out to help me with this wedding. I don't know if she prompted this one, but it's hilarious (sorry Stephen!)
From there, we headed on down to National Harbor. Mark has a very accommodating friend who lent his beautiful house, backyard and dock for the wedding.
The grooms came in
on boats.
Huge shoutout to Megan from
Events in the City who made Mark and Stephen's day totally beautiful. Check out the Chloe wedding cake!
And do you believe this? They had a
drag queen at their wedding! She introduced them way back on when.
Then everybody boogied like mad.
Bam.
[Because regular people don't care and I'm so proud, here's a side note for photographers: I made this exposure
in camera. This was 10 seconds, holding my hands over the bottom and sides of the lens so I wouldn't overexpose the bright parts of the frame. Pretty neat, right?]
Then we went to Town for the after party. I don't normally get to go to hip, exciting places. It was neat just to be there.
Congratulations you guys!
Mark and Stephen's fabulous vendor team:
Design and planning: Megan Pollard with
Events in the City
Ceremony & reception venue: Private residence
Catering:
R&R Catering (some of the best wedding food I have EVER had!)
Florist:
Flowers on 14th
Entertainment:
Sherry Vine
DJ:
DJ Drew G
Cake:
Fluffy Thoughts
Mark and Stephen's strapping suits:
Eric Finn
Bridesmaids dresses:
Two Birds
We started the day in their bridal suite with a ketubah signing. The rabbi - that's Ilan's father. He was hilarious.
And then the Justin the videographer and I rolled on over to the Art of Shaving on 17th to watch Ilan trim up that beard of his.
Big thanks to Marcella for shooting this one with me.
Did I mention they were adorable? First look with no tears (!) Everybody always feels so much better after the first look.
Then we scooted over to Longview Gallery to do some portraits in the really cool alleys behind the venue.
Love love love the orange and gray (look around the website a bit for the why).
Nancy and her girls hid out in the convention center for a minute so their guests wouldn't see her. So we took advantage of this rad sculpture mobile thing.
Finally, it was go time.
Cutest first kiss ever.
Longview is such a fantastic venue. I love the juxtaposition of all the craziness and emotion and dance floor with the art on the walls.
Congratulations you guys!
Nancy and Ilan's wonderful vendor team:
Getting ready venue: Hamilton Crowne Plaza
Ceremony and reception venue: Longview Gallery
Catering: Main Event Caterers
DJ: DJ Nitekrawler of DJ D-Mac and Associates
Videographer: Justin Ervin
Florist: Vanessa Matthews
Lighting: Summit Event Productions
Draping: Great Drape
Makeup: Emily Cooper, Nancy's sister
Heather's parents' home is really beautifully decorated. There was plenty of art to play with.
Check out these badass vegetable flowers!
Then we rolled over to 
Big thanks to 
I have a thing about people taking photos with iPads, so you know I can't resist a priest with one.
After we did some "pretty" portraits, I took them to the other side of the church to hang on the playground.
And you guys know I'm not much for flowers and decorations and things but check out these centerpieces. Yes, that is an artichoke.
Yep, that is Anthony mega-dipping his mother.
Then everybody danced like crazy.
Congratulations guys!
Heather and Anthony's rad vendor team:
Ceremony venue: