Claris + Dan

Dan and Claris’ wedding is almost 30 days away. Its funny how the wedding countdown at 90 days seems like a lifetime away and suddenly, at 30 days, it feels like its a few blinks away. Their engagement session was at the National Mall was in June of 2023 and we were still 9 months away from wedding day and time as flown by again! Their session was at a location that most people always run to during their first visit. The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial or FDR Memorial for short and the DC War Memorial, are locations that I hope people continue to overlook for my own selfish, photography reasons of course.

The FDR Memorial is quieter that the surrounding area. It also is along the tidal basin and offers similar views as the crowded Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. The neutrality of the architecture at the FDR Memorial also assures that whatever color you wear for the session, you will be the star of your show. I also love how the sunsets behind the trees and all of the walls diffuse and reflect light softly which is so flattering for couples and photographers alike.

The DC War Memorial is another place I recommend often when trying to beat the crowds around the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials. Don’t tell anyone this, but parking seems to be a little easier around this memorial as well. The challenge I always give myself when returning to this location is “how can I shoot it differently than last time?” That thinking stretches the imagination and also gives me the opportunity to create something thats one of a kind.

We are almost at wedding day and for some couples, its exciting, fast paced and just checking a few boxes on your to do list as you get closer. For others, it frantic, stressful and thinking you had a check list but finding out you didn’t actually check anything off and now you’re not sure what to do. Luckily, for everyone there are wedding checklists available for free throughout the internet. Here, I’m going to give you a list of things of things that are overlooked, forgotten or wished was done differently for wedding day:

Trial your hair and make up during your engagement session! Your hair and make up may look and feel good as you sit in an air conditioned room for two hours, but if youre having an outdoor, summer wedding, make sure you take that look for a spin and see how it holds up. Also, review your hair and make up selection.
Check out the vendor meals! For your wedding team, you should have the option of either feeding them what your guests are eating or feeding them a meal the venue / catering team provides. If the venue/ catering team provides a meal for your other vendors, please make sure they are adequate meals. Vendor meals have improved since I first began but there are still venues/ catering teams that provide sub-standard meals like frozen dishes or even juice and sandwiches.
You don’t have to have leave for your honeymoon the day after your wedding. I’m not sure how people manage this, but after your wedding day, there is so much to be done. Aside from possibly sleeping in till 11AM, waking up possibly hungover, eating breakfast with the guests that are left, collecting your details from the venue, packing all of your clothes, checking out of your hotel, loading your car, un-packing and re-packing for your trip… There is a lot to be done. Unless you have a plan and people who are handling all of the details for your after your wedding, take the day off to relax and recover. That island or cruise your vacationing to will be there when you’re ready.
Remember to eat and drink (more than champagne). This happens ALL THE TIME. Pack a sandwich in a lunch bag. Stash a few waters or sports drinks in your bridal suite. Have a 30 minute break before your ceremony and have a pizza delivered. Do whatever it takes to make sure you aren’t starving. You and your partner saying “I do” is a vital part of the day and you cant say “i do” if you’re unconscious from starvation.
Food Trucks? YES, FOOD TRUCKS! Here is a trend that is catching on and actually worth looking into. Don’t get stuck into picking a salad option that you’re not going to eat. Chicken or steak is a common meal option for weddings but how about tacos or BBQ? A great way to involve your community and small businesses is to see if local food trucks cater for weddings. It could save you few hundred dollars on food costs, also its faster for guests to get their own food instead of waiting to be served. Less time waiting means more time dancing!