VALENTINE BRIDAL INSPIRATION - MARYLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Stepping out of your comfort zone is sometimes not that easy but the other day I did and drove out to Bealeton, Virginia and spent the afternoon with a group of creative young women and we turned out some amazing portraits.  Great Marsh Estate was the setting and Brittany was our leader of this amazing Valentine theme session that she coordinated.  Once I was home and started seeing all the images from the 7 different photographers, I then started thinking about a question that I see on a lot of social media groups.

Why wedding photography is so expensive?

Well I guess expense is relative to ones budget and the importance of the item.  Often you are paying for all of our creativity, knowledge and not let's forget our time management skills to keep your payment where you want it!  Oh and let's not forget you want these images for years to come and to pass along to your kids.  Yes photographers have equipment that costs and our time to be with you for 8 or more hours and oh yes the time going through the 2500 images from your event that we need to shift through to give you what is presentable, but we do a lot more!  I know personally I am often the only person in the room that knows how to get the bride in her gown.  I also, make it a point to meet the staff at the venue to keep your event on schedule to provide you with the best images...to prevent the conversation of "Do you want to pay for more hours?"  You are also paying for our professionalism and to get your images in a timely manner and not 2 months down the road. (No shade). I have heard from many brides..."I never got my images." or "I wish we would have spent more on photography."  Face it, there are tons of photographers out there but make sure you are selecting someone that values the importance of your day and isn't going to miss your first kiss as husband and wife.

Click on the links of our amazing vendors from this shoot:
Invitations: @sugarquillcalligraphy
Gown: @katherinesbridalboutique
Bride Hair & Makeup: @yisellsmakeup
Bridesmaids Hair & Makeup: @sarahkhanartistry
Rentals: @mainstreetweddings
Venue: @great.marsh
Jewelry: @leljewelry
Baker: @scoutsbakeshop
Florist: @westvirjeni

WANT TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW I CAN CAPTURE YOUR SPECIAL DAY! 

Miranda Drummond is a published photographer in the DC, Maryland, Virginia area.  Her portrait sessions are conducted on location and in her studio in Alexandria, VA.  She also travels around the US and abroad for many of her sessions as well.

If you would me to be your Wedding Photographer, please reach out!  I'd love to meet you, get to know you and capture your best images.  For pricing and availability, please do not hesitate to reach out!

EMAIL: INFO@CATHERINERAEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

PHONE: 240-339-5176

TESS & LEIGHTON'S BEACH WEDDING - MARYLAND PHOTOGRAPHER

     Where do I begin with these two?  Well first off I have grown to know and love them over time and it all started with the surprise engagement session that Leighton planned for Tess on the beach last summer.  Now if it is anything with these two the locations are always an ADVENTURE!  The proposal was at Assateague Island on the drive on beach and if you didn't have 4x4 you couldn't get to the location.  That should have been a hint for me then...LOL.  On to the engagement session; where we went somewhere way out in the mountains of Virginia! Yes, we got amazing portraits and we had a great time and I learned even more about the two but yes, it was another hike.  
     Then they start planning the wedding!  I couldn't wait.  I knew it was going to be amazing and gorgeous.  Tess was so excited and Leighton was as well.  Tess found her dress immediately and it was the first one she tried on....blush pink!  Oh but wait where was it going to be?  DC, Maryland or Virginia...none of the above!  They picked the Outer Banks in North Carolina and yes it was another drive on beach!  Let the adventure begin!!!!  The weekend was overcast to say the least with a mist all weekend but it didn't stop these two love birds and their friends and family from having their beach wedding.  The weekend was filled with family, wine and flowers.  Tess was a DIY bride and did a lot of the decor herself.  We sat on Friday night and put bouquets togethers and had a great time.  The morning of started with hair and makeup and load of family portraits and first looks with the dads.  
     Once the wedding started, so did the rain, but everything went ahead.  Umbrellas went up and the vows went on as planned.  The I do's were exchanged and sealed with a kiss and we were on to the party.  Formal portraits were taken and then the bride changed into her less formal dress and the guys changed out of their tuxedo vests to their floral shirts for the reception.  A informal reception with good old fashioned bar-b-que was the meal and the dance party got under way! All in all I think the guests had a great time and the bride and groom are now sharing in their happily ever after!  Best wishes to them and I look forward to watching them grow!

HAWA & JUSTIN FRAZIER - MARYLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

May 20th was a perfect day for an outdoor Liberian-American wedding ceremony at Lucien Manor in Berlin, New Jersey. I have know the bride and groom for quite some time know and was eager to partake in their big day along with the family who I have learned so much about.  The wedding ceremony was a traditional ceremony with the gorgeous bride and handsome groom. The vows were sweet and tear filled. The first kiss was full of love and passion.  The couple then transitioned to their reception at Lucien Manor, with full formal and plated dinner.  Then half way through the ceremony the couple acknowledged the bride's Liberian family root by having a wardrobe change.  This is when the party went through the roof.  We had money dances, a grand march and also a tribute to the mother's where all the women danced around them in a circle to the song Sweet Mother to honor them for raising their children and all they have done for the families.  It was a great wedding and I wish Hawa and Justin nothing but the best in life!

Indian Engagement Ceremony - Maryland Photographer

Anyone who knows me can tell you that cultural ceremonies are where I feel the most comfortable.  I love learning about and getting to know different dynamics of families and the traditions which they hold dear to them.  I have been to several Indian ceremonies but each one is different depending on the families involved and the religion they follow.  This particular ceremony was an engagement party which involved exchanging of rings and the meeting of the two families.  There were gifts present to the soon to be bride and groom from the family members as well as blessings with money and the giving of sweets.  They were all so welcoming and I can't wait to cover their future wedding.