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Proud pup mom, type A creative, lover of the outdoors, Top Chef fan girl, and wedding and portrait photographer. Welcome to the blog!
HI, I'M RACHEL!
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micro WEDDINGS
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Emily and Marshall’s royal inspired Country Club of Fairfax wedding in Fairfax, Virginia, was the perfect way to end my 2022 season!
This past weekend when I was reviewing Emily and Marshall’s engagement session to see what poses work best for them, I remembered: these two can do anything! They are so sweet together and are just pure magic in front of the camera. It was true at their engagement sesh and it was still true this past weekend at their royal inspired Country Club of Fairfax wedding.
The vibe in the bridal suite upon my arrival was excitement, happiness, and friendliness. Everyone was so welcoming, friendly, and kind. That’s such a fun thing to walk into as a virtual stranger to most people in the room. Emily’s bridesmaids were attentive and helpful. I could tell they cared a lot about how Emily was experiencing her wedding day. It was just really sweet to witness that kind of warmth, camaraderie, and friendship.
Emily and Marshall’s royal inspired Country Club of Fairfax wedding took place in late November, which meant an early sunset. Which meant we needed to do the majority of their portraits before their ceremony…. which meant doing a ‘first look’. I could tell Marshall was a little nervous going into the first look, which is totally normal. I saw the nerves melt away as soon as he saw his bride!
This is one of the reasons I adore ‘first looks’. When two people really love and respect each other and enjoy each others’ company. When they seem more at ease, more complete, and more at peace when they’re together. It makes sense they would want to experience the majority of their wedding day together in that more relaxed state. And that definitely seemed to be true of E & M.
The same level of friendliness and warmth I experienced in the bridal suite was something I noticed throughout Emily and Marshall’s royal inspired Country Club of Fairfax wedding day. Once their guests starting filtering into the church, I saw so many people hugging – like genuinely and excitedly embracing each other! Emily and Marshall seem to be part of a really connected and caring community. So it makes sense that these two are so lovingly connected as well.
Speaking of Emily and Marshall’s community, I have to mention another fun aspect of it. Emily’s mom sings in the church choir and has for several decades. In honor of that connection to the place where Emily and Marshall got married, the church choir performed at their ceremony! I’ve photographed a lot of church weddings, and I don’t remember there ever being a full choir, complete with live instruments. That was just really special to see and hear. Especially knowing Emily’s mom’s connection to them. They played the most beautiful music – I felt like I was at a royal wedding!
I always like to mention my favorite part of a wedding day. And this time I have two! I loved getting to take magic hour portraits with Emily and Marshall. It was a little challenging to find good light earlier in the day when we did the bulk of their portraits. Plus it was a little windy, people were playing golf, and we had the full wedding party with us, as well as some immediate family.
During magic hour – it was just the three of us. No one was playing golf, the light was beautiful, and we had the time and space to do what and go where we wanted! I enjoy spending that one-on-one time with the couple on a wedding day. It gives them the freedom to be fully themselves (or as much as you can be with someone snapping photos of you!), and that makes for beautiful photos.
My second fav part of the day was Emily and Marshall’s first dance. They did this thing I actually really like, where they had their wedding party and parents stand around the dance floor (instead of going to their seats). It was more of that community feel and seemed like the perfect setup for them. I wasn’t familiar with the song (This is How You Fall in Love – Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler; but I am now and am crying as I type this just listening to it again!) but it was so romantic! These two are just the best!
Congratulations and best wishes to the sweetest love birds, Emily and Marshall!
Emily & Marshall’s Vendors:
Ceremony Location: St Andrew the Apostle
Photography: Rachel E.H. Photography
Second Photographer: Leah Eversley
Father Wagner
Lucianna Garcia
Maggie Sottero
Brookes Bridal and Ball
Lulus
Men’s Warehouse
Rod Sterling
Reston Limo
Did this post get you excited to book your own wedding, micro-wedding, elopement, or engagement session?! If yes, send me a note and we can chat about what you have in mind: contact me
Hi – I’m Rachel! A wedding, engagements, and graduation photographer in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and northern Virginia. I love helping individuals and couples feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. If you’re a dog owner, that’s a plus! I’m currently booking 2022-2023 portrait sessions and elopements, as well as 2023-2024 weddings.
HELLO@RACHELEHPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
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Rachel is a wedding and portrait photographer
Serving brilliant, elegant couples in Washington D.C. + Beyond
Copyright 2022 Rachel E.H. Photography | Website by Alex Collier Design
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