Category Archives: weddings
when i was a student at hopkins, i heard rumors of the most incredible hopkins library not too far from campus. it turns out that we lived three blocks from this place: the peabody library. it turns out, this venue isn’t only good for studying pathophysiology; it’s the most romantic wedding venue, especially for book lovers! the library is one of the most-desired in all of baltimore city, and it’s easy to see why. there is a distinct air of history and scholasticism, and the view of the multi-story library shelves is unmatched. it’s a really incredible place for both a ceremony and reception!
we were so excited to capture components of this stunning george peabody library wedding this past fall. this baltimore wedding was designed and executed perfectly by the talented stephanie of SRS events! the couple shared a mutual love for literature, so they included many book-focused details, such as the library catalogue place settings and tables named after famous authors. the wedding was centered on a palette of greenery, white, and gold, and the tablescapes looked amazing up against the backdrop of the library. the glowing bistro lights draped throughout gave of the most romantic atomosphere, as well!
we snuck out to the washington monument in mt. vernon for some iconic baltimore wedding photos before the couple were able to enjoy the big room reveal! i particularly loved the soft shimmer of the tablecloths combined with the incredible florals done by eight tree street floral and gold dinnerware. it was the perfect combination of whimsy and romance! so many other fun little details tied the event together– from the custom cocktails in honor of their pup to the bride’s beaded cathedral-length veil.
the couple opted for a croquembouche cake display instead of the traditional wedding cake, which was divine! such a unique spin on wedding desserts… and such a fun detail! the cakes looked so elegant with a beautiful backdrop of greenery. we loved this sweet and elegant wedding and are grateful to have been a part of it!
maybe it’s because the temperatures here in d.c. are creeping down towards freezing, or maybe it is because this was one of my top favorite days as a d.c. wedding photographer, ever. but i’ve found myself thinking back to these great marsh estate wedding photos over and over again as of late! and when you’re done perusing through them here, check them out on one of our favorite wedding blogs, grey likes weddings, here.
back in the spring of 2018, i hosted a workshop for photographers alongside my sweet and talented friend hannah bjorndal. as part of our education, we orchestrated three styled editorials, planned by the lovely claire duran events. our first shoot of the day was a romantic, ethereal spring affair. filled with pastel colors, soft tones, and exquisite details, everything came together so perfectly. there was a definite mr.-darcy-and-elizabeth-bennett type energy about it, and i mean, can you really ever go wrong with that?!
i can’t say enough about the incredible team of vendors who pulled together to make this happen! from the insanely beautiful styling and design from claire, to the stunning florals by my amazing friend sofia of casa delirio, to the watercolor cake from fluffy thoughts… sheer perfection. and don’t even get me started on the bespoke, foiled invitation suite from wild hearts calligraphy! our real-life couple models, maura and tim, are the kindest (AND gorgeous) couple, as well! and the hair and makeup from valerie hammer and shear society studio couldn’t have been more classic. the lavender-inspired welcome basket from the welcoming district really tied it all together, as well. great marsh estate weddings offers an incredible backdrop as well– an incredible property, and the best bridal suite we’ve ever seen!
it was an honor to get to work alongside some of d.c.’s finest while teaching some really remarkable photographers! although we didn’t host any formal, in-person workshops in 2019, educating other creatives still has such a special place in our hearts. and we’ve got big plans for 2020 on the education front, so hang tight!
in the meantime, enjoy this beautiful shoot, and think of warmer weather…
|| vendor love ||
as seen on: grey likes weddings
workshop hosts: anna + mateo, hannah bjorndal photography
planning + creative direction: claire duran weddings and events
venue: great marsh estate
florals: casa delirio
invitations: wild hearts calligraphy
rentals: white glove rentals
hair: shear society studio
makeup: valerie hammer makeup artistry
ring: susie saltzman
apparel: bhldn
tux: the black tux
linens: nuage designs
welcome gift: the welcoming district
cake: fluffy thoughts bakery
shoes: bella belle
from the first second i spoke with abby on the phone, i knew i really liked her. she exuded kindness and a happy energy, and so i was obviously thrilled when she hired us to photograph her washington, d.c. wedding at district winery.
fast forward a few months, and i met up with her and ben at union station for a quick engagement session, and i was even more thrilled about the prospect of shooting their wedding!
these two are the real deal. they have a constant playful banter, talk so highly of one another, and are all smiles when they’re together. the more i got to know them, the more i was impressed with their relationship. through the highs and lows, in sickness and health, they’re in it together.
so naturally, this winter district winery wedding was really wonderful. after prepping at navy yard, we met up at the venue for a sweet first look in the winery’s barrel room. they might not have been aware of it at the time, but they had a little audience from above, which was the perfect way for them to enjoy the intimacy of the moment but also share with friends and family! we explored navy yard for some wedding portraits at district winery, and then enjoyed a lovely ceremony and joyful reception (full of fancy fried chicken, hilarious and heartfelt toasts, and enjoying the live band!). their ceremony included quotes from leslie knope, and they walked down the aisle to a song from jurassic park, so if that doesn’t give you an idea of how fun this couple is, i don’t know what will!
we loved abby’s gorgeous winter wedding bouquet and the simple-yet-charming greenery runners on the long tables. her silver and blush letterpress invites added such a fun modern touch to the day, and she paid tribute to ben’s love for nike shoes by donning a special wedding pair for the reception. true love right there, you guys!
thanks so much for letting us get to know you and capture your day. you guys are really, really great!
XO,
anna + mateo
|| VENDOR LOVE ||
wedding photography: anna + mateo
venue: district winery
florals: bell flowers
dress: watters
cake: fancy cakes by leslie
makeup: nicole palermo
hair: kim harbaugh
band: attraction
as seen on wedding chicks.
when a wedding planner gets married, it’s bound to be a lovely event. but when the kindest wedding planner gets married in mexico on cinco de mayo, it’s bound to be the loveliest of events!
nicole and ryan tied the knot at the luxurious finest playa mujeres in cancun, mexico, surrounded by their closest friends and family. i was lucky enough to head south of the border for this joyful mexico wedding, and it was no surprise that wedding chicks decided to pick it up for a feature! you can see the wedding chicks feature here.
nicole is a colorado girl, and ryan is from the midwest, but they’re currently stationed with the military in italy. they share a love for travel, so it only made sense to bring their families and friends from across the world together in mexico to enjoy the beach, each other, and maybe some tequila, too!
after a morning at the pool, the couple prepped with their bridesmaids and groomsmen and met up for a sweet and personal first look along a pathway blooming with bougainvillea… and if you know me at all, you know that bougainvillea is the way to my heart! so i was just a little bit in heaven. their beachfront ceremony was simple, sincere, and joyous, and then they shared cocktails to the sound of mariachi and danced the night away under finest’s beautiful beachside palapa.
their wedding radiated relaxed elegance and was coordinated to perfection by celeste from wedding in riviera maya. nicole looked stunning in her two-piece wtoo watters dress; the lace bodice was the perfect compliment to her ethereal and flowy skirt. ryan looked dapper in his suit and floral tie, and he couldn’t wipe the smile off of his face all day when looking at his bride. i loved all of the nods to nature and greenery in their wedding– from their modern invitations to the bouquet to the ceremony arch.
i also loved watching the way that both nicole and ryan were careful to make sure each other and every one of their guests (and even vendors!) felt loved and appreciated. ryan bought nicole the sweetest oval earrings to match her engagement band. nicole and her mother wore matching bracelets, and ryan gave his father and groomsmen personal gifts. they also celebrated their family heritage by drinking from the copper glasses from their parents’ wedding.
these two became fast friends to us, and it’s been so fun following their adventures across the globe (even if it’s given us some serious FOMO!). they were laid-back and really soaked in the emotions of the day, and we are so grateful to have been able to photograph their big day!
nicole + ryan, felicidades! can’t believe it’s been a year already.
xo,
anna + mateo
|| VENDOR LOVE||
photography: anna + mateo
venue: finest playa mujeres
planning: wedding in riviera maya
hmua: sara tamargo beauty
dress: wtoo
dress boutique: the bridal collection
paperie: minted
escaping to different corners of the globe to photograph beautiful destination weddings is by far one of the best parts of being destination wedding photographers and videographers. while we love our home base of washington, d.c., there’s nothing more inspiring than photographing love stories in the midst of exotic cultures, beautiful locations, and adventurous vibes.
so we were naturally thrilled when we were asked to photograph and film deena and john’s riu palace aruba wedding. we love south america, so flying to one of the caribbean islands off of the coast of venezuela sounded incredible, and aruba definitely met all expectations! the island’s slogan is “one happy island,” and we’d definitely say that’s an understatement.
we loved getting to meet deena + john. they have such a genuine love, and their entire focus of their whole aruba destination wedding was that everyone else have the best weekend. they love vacationing in the caribbean and got engaged in jamaica, so it seemed like a no-brainer for them to choose a caribbean island for their wedding. their families and fiends came from new jersey and beyond to a weekend full of sunshine and festivities.
deena looked amazing in her angel rivera dress + shiny jimmy choos, and john was her perfect compliment in his custom khaki suit. their simplistic details allowed the focus to be on the beautiful couple, gorgeous light blue water and endless aruba skies. it’s obvious that they are best friends and share a deep admiration for each other!
after a beach ceremony, the couple celebrated during cocktail hour with a steel drum band and appetizers, then danced the night away with their guests. we can’t wait to share with you their fun aruba wedding film and day after trash the dress session in aruba.
but first, their gorgeous wedding…!
thanks for letting us be part of your wedding celebration, j+d!
XO,
anna + mateo
|| vendor love ||
photography + videography: anna + mateo
venue, florals, catering: riu palace aruba palm beach
dress: angel rivera couture
hmua: bride
shoes: jimmy choo
