Part of my process of working with couples as we get ready for a wedding is to meet with them about two weeks before the big day to go over schedule and create a timeline. My go-to spots for these meetings are usually pretty generic with Starbucks and Panera being the most common. When it came time to sit down and with Ashlee and Andrew, they suggested meeting at Bayou Bakery. For those of you who are not familiar with the D.C. area, or this particular restaurant, it is a New Orleans style cafe in the city. I’ve only been there a handful of times, but it is delicious (especially their beignets) so I said absolutely!
There are two things that excited me about this. The first was obviously the beignets, because, well, beignets! The second was that I would have the opportunity to use my business card to treat some clients to some food! I know this seems like a weird thing to be excited about, but I have this business card that I feel like I rarely get to use to treat people, so whenever I get the chance (and can justify it) I jump at it! Well I arrive at Bayou Bakery and find Ashlee and Andrew already there sitting at a table and what might you guess is already on the table waiting for me?
A beignet.
(So much for treating my clients…)
I share this story because it illustrates rather completely the type of people Ashlee and Andrew are. They are so nice and so caring and seemingly always looking out towards other people. I only had the pleasure of spending limited time with them, but everything I just wrote is so obvious that you could tell these things in a matter of minutes!
So how did Ashlee and Andrew and find me? Conveniently enough they got in contact with me through another Virginia Tech connection! They found out about me after their good friends, Kelsey and Steve, recommended me to them. Outside of photographing Kelsey and Steve’s wedding seemingly forever ago, Kelsey and I were friends and Virginia Tech. Ashlee, Andrew, and I got along, they hired me, I got to see Kelsey and Steve, and the rest was history!
The wedding itself took place in Standardsville, Virginia, out at a barn in the mountains and the woods. The weather was less than cooperative this day, but that didn’t stop everyone from have a wonderful time! The setting perfectly fit the vibe of the wedding, that of close knit family and friends all hanging out and celebrating. The ceremony was filled with smiles and laughter, the reception was fueled by delicious BBQ and cupcakes, and after some toasts and formal dances, a flash mob kicked off the rest of the party! It was really like a backyard summer party, and I’m pretty sure that’s exactly how Ashlee and Andrew wanted it!
All right, I know, enough talking from me. Enjoy the pictures!
Thank you Ashlee and Andrew for allowing me to photograph your big day. Here’s to many happy years!
