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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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Today I’m sharing with you some of my favorite photos from my last wedding of 2023! Emma and Alex’s autumn Cedar Knoll wedding in Fort Hunt, Virginia.
Emma reached out to me about 20 months before their wedding day, eager to start talking photography. They actually hadn’t gotten engaged yet, but she was certain Alex was the one and that he would be proposing soon. What this says to me is that this couple is super open about communication – and I just love that! Also, the fun thing about being hired before the couple is engaged, is that you get the fun of being emailed with the announcement once the proposal happens! Emma did just that a couple months later, with a photo of her gorgeous and unique unicorn adorned diamond and rose gold engagement ring.
I met the two love birds at their Old Town engagement session last fall, almost a year exactly before their big day. I learned that day that not only do they have a lot of love and respect for each other, but they have so much fun together and Alex definitely keeps Emma laughing!
Emma grew up dancing and acting, and is now a licensed esthetician. She cares a lot about the arts and aesthetics, and I was super honored that she was so excited to work me with me as her wedding photographer. Fast forward to Emma and Alex’s autumn Cedar Knoll wedding day. This was another wedding day where I had to turn over lead photography duties to my associate photographer, Leah, so that I could tend to my health. I was so disappointed to not be the one to photograph Emma and Alex’s big day. Emma put so much love and energy into finding the right photographer for her and booked me so far in advance. I’m just glad I was able to be there to take their details photos at the beginning of the day, give her a hug, and wish her well for the rest of the day. And that Leah was available to take the lead – I know they were well taken care of!
The bridal suite was abuzz with fun and laughter as Emma and her bridesmaids got ready for her autumn Cedar Knoll wedding. The best moment was when I took out her showstopper of a wedding gown and first got a look at it. Y’all! This dress was stunning! I was so excited to see the photos of Emma in this gorgeous dress! Just wait til you see!
It’s always kind of a gamble to plan an outdoor wedding in the fall. But I’m so glad Emma and Alex took that bet, because their outdoor autumn Cedar Knoll wedding ceremony looked absolutely beautiful! The fall foliage was popping – the colors are amazing! With the sun shining through the golden leaves – it doesn’t get any better than that for an outdoor fall wedding.
I love how this couple personalized their big day. They included the Stefana, a Greek wedding tradition from Alex’s family, as well as the breaking of the glass – a Jewish tradition. They did a ‘unicorn’ toss instead of a bouquet toss (tossing a stuffed unicorn). And my fav personalization – the ways they featured their cats, Ember and Gus – in Emma’s bouquet, as the drink stirrers, and as the inspiration for custom cocktails.
Wishing big congratulations and best wishes to Emm and Alex!
Appreciation to Emma and Alex’s vendors:
Venue: Cedar Knoll
Photography: Rachel E.H. Photography
Lead Photographer: Leah Wilson
Second Photographer: Melinda Toth
Venue Coordinator: Kaitlyn Rowe
Bruce Baskir
Andrew Gilford
Salon Monte/ Kim Giammaria
Etsy/Rubini’s
Etsy
Jenna Murphy
Jimmy Choo
Zoya’s Atelier
Etsy
Joseph Abboud by Men’s Wearhouse
Cedar Knoll
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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