Stacey Vaeth Photography Phoebe and John | Washington, DC Wedding Photographer
Posted on May 25, 2011
It’s sort of wild to be a wedding photographer. I’m there in the most intimate moments of a couple’s lives, and not just there, but really witnessing and documenting every step of the process. It’s truly a responsibility that I take very seriously. My goal is always to intrude as little as possible, to capture the simple, everyday, but profound energy that passes among the people at a wedding.
On Saturday, I had the unique responsiblity and honor of shooting the wedding of Phoebe and John. They came to me for a pre-wedding consultation right around the same time that I locked myself out of my house. I do this on occasion, usually about three times in as many days twice a year. But they just rolled with it and we had our meeting on the front steps.
Their laid back attitude was immediately supported by their wedding day description, which went something like: “you, us, our officiant. 5 minute ceremony. followed by endless photos for an hour in the most amazing locations. then hank’s oyster bar brunch.” Um. Yes please.
So, we did it. On Saturday, the prettiest day of the year, we had a tiny, intimate ceremony, in which I cried behind the lens at the sweetness and beauty of it all. After the ceremony, John says to me “it was almost scary how soon I knew she was to be my wife. I mean, you should take more time than that, right? We just knew. Immediately.”
Here are a few other favorites from the morning, all from the US Capitol and grounds.
Marni and David – The Tremont Grand | Baltimore, MD Wedding Photorapher
Posted on May 19, 2011
A gorgeous weekend at the Tremont Grand in Baltimore. Marni and David had the most spirited wedding on May 7, full of tons of love and joy. Not to mention that a serious party was getting started just and we were leaving. Congratulations Marni and David! It has been so much fun getting to know you over this past year.
I should also mention that the events staff at the Tremont is among the best I’ve worked with in the business. Thanks, Marni and David, for allowing me to be a part of your amazing wedding day.
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Lindsay and Jason
Posted on May 6, 2011
I loved working with Jason and Lindsay last weekend. What a lovely, vibrant and independent couple they are! They forwent a huge wedding for something small and intimate, and are following that up with a big party for friends and family. I love that!
Isn’t Lindsay so gorgeous?!
These guys were hilarious – they just jumped in the shot!
Candace and Scott
Posted on May 5, 2011
Candace, Scott and I braved the schizophrenic weather yesterday afternoon for their long-awaited and often rained out engagement session! It was so worth it. Not only are they awesome in front of the camera, but they are awesome with each other. They were so cute during the shoot, that about a hundred 8th graders touring the monuments were cheering them on – oohing and ahhing and shouting “congratulations!”.
Hilarious.
Incidentally, a story on this next image, which isn’t a fav from the day. Before sending them out onto these grounds, I said to Candace “I sort of wish you had on your wedding dress right now…or something super dramatic to anchor this wide landscape”. So, I send them out there, we take this frame and a few others…
and as they’re walking back to me, a man in a cowboy hat walks up. He’s with our 8th grade fan club.
He says in his southern drawl ” ‘mam, are you available to take my picture tomorrow? Because, ya see, tomorrow’s the National Day of Prayer, and I’m going to be right here on this same lawn on a white horse. And I think it would be nice to have a picture of that.”
A white horse. A man in a cowboy hat. That lawn. Could it get more dramatic than that?
Too bad I’m booked.
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Many congratulations Candace and Scott!
Meg and Marc – Hotel Monaco | Washington, DC Wedding Photographer
Posted on May 3, 2011
This past weekend, I had the joy of photographing the wedding of Meg and Marc, two very good friends of my sister.
I was first contacted by Meg after she saw one of my weddings featured on the great blog District Weddings. She was interested in my work and style as a photographer, but it was only after the first contact that we put two and two together that I was the sister of her good friend. DC seems to get smaller by the day.
Marc and Meg pulled together an amazing day, full of heirloom details and tradition.
The bride and her attendants got ready at the DC Hotel Monaco, just around the corner from the couple’s home.
The wedding was at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. The parish was established in 1794, primarily to meet the needs of Irish immigrants at work on the White House and the Capitol building, and is widely thought to be the oldest parish in the district.
The crown worn by Meg was also worn by her mother and both of her sisters on their wedding day. Although her mom came across the crown while in Germany, before her own wedding, she was told that the master silversmith that created it was from her, and my, home town of Rochester, NY. So she returned stateside and commissioned it from him.
One of their favorite spots is the Einstein Sculpture, little known even by DC residents. Love the forethought of bringing a boutonniere for Einstein!
The reception was at the incomparable Halcyon House, in Georgetown. It must have been said 100 times throughout the night “look at all the colors in this wedding!”, to which someone inevitably responded “would you expect anything less from Meg and Marc?”.
Meg’s dress was (unbelievably) hand sewn by her mother. Each and every rosette on the dress was hand made. Needless to say, the mother of the bride was asked by every unmarried woman in the room if she would be willing to make theirs, to which she politely responded “this was a labor of love. and a one time deal”. Wise, indeed, unless she wanted to be hand-sewing rosettes off into the sunset for the rest of time.
The wedding was created by seemingly everyone in attendance. The 63 balloons adorning the reception hall were blown up by her brother and relatives, as well as hung from the 30 foot cement ceiling by them. Not an easy task, I am told.
The flowers, some of the food, the streamers used throughout the party, the table decorations, all hand crafted. What a lovely day – infused with such heart (and manual labor), and yet still able to come off seamlessly. And all with an uber-relaxed bride, groom, and bridal party. Many congratulations Meg and Marc! It was a true joy to work with you both.
The dance party was rocked by the always awesome Bryan George – who also helped us coordinate this group shot at the end of the night…and THEN got everyone right back on the dance floor!
Vendors:
DJ Bryan George
Caterering by 42 degrees
Event Planning by Jackie Ludden
Lighting by Frost Lighting
Venue by Halcyon House, Hotel Monaco DC, and St. Patrick’s Parish
Little Hank
Posted on May 2, 2011
Grew up! I first photographed Hank when he was just a twinkle in his parents eye. Then our focus was on his older brother, Jude. When he came along, I had an opportunity to photograph him as a newborn. His 6 month session just came to pass, and what a cutie! He’s got such personality already…
Stacey Vaeth Photography 
