In a summer filled with record-breaking temperatures, Rochelle and Jacob’s Carlyle Club wedding over July 4th weekend was wonderfully mild! I’d first met Rochelle and Jake about four months prior to their wedding day for their engagement session in Old Town Alexandria, and think was was as excited for their wedding day in July as they were. Their venue was just one reason I was looking forward to their day! I’d never experienced a Carlyle Club wedding day, but knew it would be so much fun to shoot! I love art deco elements, and the club did not disappoint!
The day started as most of my wedding days do: photographing the ladies as they had hair and makeup completed, and then moving on to the gentlemen as they relaxed and also prepared. One tradition that I adore (and wish I saw more of!) is the exchange of gifts between the bride and groom. Rochelle and Jake had gifts for each other, as well as notes to read just prior to their first look. Oh, and let’s talk about that first look….on a rooftop!!! It’s no secret that I love first looks, and this one was in my top five of all time favorites. Standing back to back, each reading a note the other had written, before getting the first glimpse of one another…well, it may have been one of the sweetest moments all day!
We followed up the first look with some formal bridal party and family portraits. Guests were beginning to arrive to the Carlyle Club, so we found a fantastic little courtyard with just enough space and the perfect light! Now, let’s talk about the wedding party….they were a BLAST to work with! Sometimes a large wedding party can be a little intimidating when you’re on your own to photograph it, but this crew made it fun, fast, and easy! I love it when the party has a ton of great, upbeat energy before the party even gets started!
After portraits, it was ceremony time! The Carlyle Club often hosts live events, and reminds me of what I imagine a supper club in the roaring ’20s would have been like. The stage was perfect for both ceremony and the band. (I have to give a huge thumbs up to the venue’s lighting team…who worked with me to get the ceremony lit perfectly! It is definitely a darker space, but between my gear and the stage lights, we teamed up to make magic!) After the ceremony, the Club’s staff quickly turned the space over into a dance floor while we stepped outside for more portraits.
If you follow my blog at all, you know that I love to dance a little at receptions. Um, I danced my rear off this night!! The band was fabulous, the guests were enjoying themselves, and everyone was excited to be celebrating Rochelle + Jake. You could just feel the love and happy energy everywhere. Before I knew it, it was already time for the sparkler exit, which resulted in my favorite image from the entire night! (And check out the cookies that Rochelle baked and decorated as favors for her guests! Gorgeous!)
Thank you for inviting me to capture your Carlyle Club wedding, Rochelle + Jake! It was such a pleasure to work with you over these past few months. I wish you lots of grand adventures, more sweet moments than you can count, and a lifetime of smiles!
