Enjoy Weddings | The Ivy at Dewey Beach | Claire + Brad

and i heard you say
let's lose ourselves out here always
lost in this haze

here in this place - goyte  

The east coast beach was ideal.  75 degrees, sunny with a slight breeze - happy weather.   Claire watched the wedding day unfold.  "What do I do now?  Do I need to do anything?" Her friends ran in and out of bedrooms and bathrooms and stairwells promising her that everything was taken care of and that she only needed to relax.  "I am relaxed!  I don't have anything to do!" Her friends and family truly had taken care of everything.  

I gave Claire little projects to do for me.  "Let's get your dress out... do you know where your shoes are?... Do you have any special items you'd like photographed?" 

You may or may not believe this, but within a few minutes of walking into the adorable beach home, I felt connected with all these strangers.  I couldn't quite place my finger on it, but I had warm, bubbly feelings in my heart and a calm, lovely feeling in my head.   I soon found out that all the bridesmaids were long time best-friends.  I'm talking childhood friends.  Toddlers, even.  And their weren't three bridesmaids.  The eight girls were like Loralie and Rory, or The Bennett Sisters.  Their chemistry and roles were highly entertaining, comfortable and moving.

Little flower girl Veida wasn't just a cute addition to the day; she was a constant reminder of how quickly life moves.   Someday she'll be the bride, and hopefully stand with her childhood friends.  And not too long ago Claire was the little girl, playing dolls with her tiny pals.

"My veil is my something borrowed.  OH!  And I need to show you the handkerchief my aunt gave me when I was born.  It came with a poem.  Oh my.  I can't.  You can read it. I can't read it.  I'll.... cry."  Claire turned away with glassy eyes and fluttery hands.  I went outside to give all the ladies a little space and to snoop out a location for portraits.

When I returned inside, I came into a heart-warming scene.   All the emotions on edge, the life of friendships, the hum of a family beach house turned bridal suite, the little feet and dresses and dolls, the bigger feet, dresses and bride, laughter and teasing - everything settled around a TV in the living room. The bride's sister, Mary, had made a video for Claire.  This video went all the way back to the beginning, and for ten minutes showed each and every girl in that room move from toddlerhood to kid-hood, to teenage years ("GAH! I took that picture!  That's the first picture of you and Brad! You BABIES!"), to the present.   "Not a single eye was dry."

"Remember when I was young, and so were you?"

Daddy and daughter reviewed their speeches while the very-loved bride went upstairs to touch up her make-up.

When it was time to help Claire get ready, everybody had to help.  How else would it be done with these girls?!

Claire, well, Claire is a gem; a precious and rare spirit.  In all her rowdy, sarcastic, quick-spoken, loud, colorful friends, she's the rock.  She's quietly funny, she's happily supportive, she's as sweet as her eyes would indicate.   She's much more beautiful than she knows she is, and her heart goes deep.  One of her friends told me, quivering, that this day is so important for them all because Claire is really the best friend and she's the first one to get married.

Veida always joined in on cue.  Life moves quickly.  Little girls grow up.

And if little girls all grew up to be like Claire, this world would be a sweeter place. 

Oh kids.  I love you all.

You're a rare and stunning gorgeous, Claire.  Seriously. Whoa.

I had to pull myself away from Claire to go meet the boys at The Ivy.  I wasn't disappointed ;)

One of my friends and I love to remark on "nice eyes."  We'll see people walking around and say "Ohhh.  She had nice eyes.  You can tell she's so lovely."  Brad has nice eyes.  

I don't know how as well, but this is his grooms cake, so he must have some sort of sense of humor and athletic-heart.   Sounds like the perfect combination to me!

(How cool was the inside of The Ivy?!  I'm dying to recreate a version of the dark-stained shelves with ALL white objects in my new house...)

When ceremony time arrived, everyone was in their place waiting for Claire to pull-up and exit the limo.  Mom was ready to attach the veil.

The boys were all together and patient.

Veida was getting nervous, but certainly ready.

The guests were seated and looking fine.

The time had come.

One of my favorite ring-putting-on shots ever!

Congratulations you charming couple!

While the guests enjoyed cocktail hour, the wedding party hid out on the side of the building and rejoiced.

All the Visitation ("Go Visi!") girls!

Oh little one.

Brad and Claire have been friends for years.  Their friends have been friends for years.  They've loved each other for years.  Their wedding was pure celebration, beauty and joy.

The guests were fascinating: a whole crew of beautiful, well-dressed, personality-FULL, funny people. I loved it.

Ah, I love a good set of toasts :D

Still the best cake ever...

I'll take my dinners like this every night, please.

Congratulations, sweethearts.  Go have so much fun together!

Matt + Megan {Delaware Beach Wedding}

if you were a castle, i'd be your moat,
and if you were an ocean, i'd learn to float
barry loius polisar | all i want is you

After Mike + Jocelyn's backyard semi-retro art-ful wedding in Indiana, PA,
my little team and I drove through the night to Lewes, DE for Matt + Megan's wedding.

I've been looking forward to this wedding since the moment a I heard about it.
First of all, it's at the beach.
'Nuff said.
Us "DC-area photographers" don't get to do a whole lot of beach shooting,
so it's quite fun when it happens ;)

I remember meeting Megan on a whirlwind winter weekend,
where I had four or so bride-consultations in 24 hours.
She was one I especially hoped would book me ;)
She's great.
Smart, funny, classy.

Detail-oriented, yet fun.
Sharp, yet playful.



When I arrived to the girls room, it took me a while to get started shooting
cause I was just admiring the view.
Don't judge me.

But after a few dance moves, funny conversations, and un-blog-able pictures
I was shooting away ;)
Megan.is.awesome.


I'll repeat this a few times in the post,
but one of the things I most appreciated about Matt and Megan was how much they enjoyed their wedding.

They should teach a class on how to focus on what a WEDDING really is about.
And how to peacefully, happily and joyfully enjoy the day.
Even if little things don't go right.

They had the ba-rilllliant idea of renting a beach house for the week with their families,
then actually have the wedding there.
The house was stunning and I adored their taste in decor.





This room was where guests entered to wait for the ceremony,
and also where they cocktail-ed afterwards.
Dreamy, huh?



I want both of their dresses, please.


Matt and Megan met over 8 years ago in Spain,
on school trips.
Megan was dating someone else,
and Matt was as sweet, genuine and kind as ever.

So there was no "stealing away from the current boyfriend."
Or causing drama on a trip of a lifetime.
No, they became friends.
That was it.

And as Megan's current relationship ended on it's own,
her good friend Matt was on her mind.
Frequently.

And, well, the rest is history :D

Through years of traveling, learning, growing, enjoying and loving
these two have become the best of friends and the greatest of lovers.



Throughout the day I heard the phrase "Finally!!!" repeated often.
Though this marriage has been looooong in coming,
it felt no less sweet, passionate or precious.

In fact, these two have a selfless comfort level that I think many couples don't.

While Matt is slightly more on the quiet side,
he's fiercely loyal and mature.
And just plain sweet.

And Megan is the crazy wild-side.
The salsa to the chips.

"He is incredibly in tune to who I am,
and the perfect balance to my (sometimes) crazy."






"He is my best friend,
and my favorite person.
And I get to marry him."










"Megan is the best person I have ever met."

"She is nice to everyone,
sweet,
caring,
happy,
pretty,
really smart,
hard-working,
fun to hang out with.
I love all those things about her."

"We have had an incredible journey together..."

"...meeting in Spain,
living together for four years in San Francisco,
backpacking for a month in Mexico,
surfing in Barbados,
and palling around DC together for the past four years."

"Finally" resulting in an oceanside wedding in Delaware.
Because they love each other a whole whole lot.


A reading from their wedding from The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger
(it's worth it to read it):
"Leaves swirl through the air,
pumpkins ripen,
and geese take flight.
But one lone yellow leaf clings to its branch and thinks, Not yet."

"Not yet, as the harvest moon blooms amber in the starry sky."

"Not yet, as the nights grow long.
"Not yet, when there's a dusting of snow."

"Then, high on an icy branch, there is a flash of scarlet
-- another leaf is still holding tight."

 "Will you? Little Scarlet Leaf asks.
I will! says Little Yellow Leaf."



"And one, two, three!
They let go!
And soared."

Now, let me say what I said earlier:
Matt and Megan enjoyed their day so much.
It wasn't past them that was a celebration of their marriage, their relationship.
They did such a good job of enjoying the day together.

Right after the ceremony the ran into the house and sat in the window seat,
and talked.
And hugged.
And enjoyed being together like it was any other day.
They took their time, and they beamed.


Meanwhile, a pretty fantastic reception awaited.

I may or may not steal this idea one day... homemade placemats!
I love it!

"We had a wonderful Fall weekend together -
going to a farm party in Virginia with family and friends,
including eating, drinking, fishing,
a bluegrass band,
a shooting range
and camping under the stars,
with a stop at Ihop (our favorite) for breakfast on the day home."




"After a cozy afternoon,
Matt suggested we have a picnic in the park for dinner.
 He thought he’d bring his guitar.""We walked down to a nice park in Georgetown
and after a a picnic of cheeses, salami, bread and olives,
Matt pulled out  a guitar and starting singing a song he had written for me
and he proposed!"

"So we want this to feel like a big backyard picnic or party.
We are not into unnecessary formality, so no need for ties and whatnot.  
We want it to be authentic and personal and nature-based. 
The appetizers will be similar to the meal that we got engaged over,
and the meal will be barbeque."

"Ipod for music, and a latenight bonfire on the beach with smores.
No need for fancy, just want to have fun with our people!"


They get it.
They get how important relationships are.
Their relationship with each other,
with their families,
with their friends.
It's important, and it's so clear that Matt and Megan cherish those.




The sunset was just incredible.

And look who I found enjoying it ;)
Taking a second just to sit together,
watch the birds fly,
sun hide,
and be together.
Blissful.




Back at the party-tent,
guests were hopping and everyone was out of a Summer J. Crew dreamworld.
HEART HEART HEART.

And if you follow me on Facebook or Twitter you might have heard about the giant Chipwich.

Two of their friends made it
(and it was delicious!)
but they also had a chipwich bar for the rest of the guests.
A handful of friend brought a few dozen of "their specialty cookie" for everyone to make their own mini chipwich.

Good times were had by all :D

Matt and Megan, congratulations and thank you for welcoming me into your amazing day.