Woodend Sanctuary and Mansion Bethesda Wedding
I always say that the emotions of wedding day will get to you when youre not expecting it. It happens every time and its always such a pleasant surprise. The motional moment when you think “its really happening” and the months of planning are all coming together. You either prepare yourself to happy cry, or youre it takes you by surprise. Both instances are beautiful and both are what make wedding day so magical and a joy to be around.
It was a joy to be around Trey and Gozde from our very first meeting on a video call and then later for their engagement session and then finally on their wedding day. These two were not only just lovers getting married, they were also both partners in a very literal sense. Their love of dancing has been a part of their story and being in rhythm looked automatic and effortless. It wasnt 1980’s “nobody puts baby in the corner” dancing but a spicy, lively, intriqute salsa filled with as many smiles and laughs as twists and turns. A dance that required practice and patience to learn and share, a lot like learning to love and be loved.
Wedding day for Trey and Gozde took us through Bethesda, Maryland. First starting at the luxury Bethesdian Hotel and finishing the evening at the Woodend Sanctuary and Mansion for their outdoor ceremony and reception. The forecast for the day had been calling for rain and although we were all prepared, we were crossing all of our fingers that it wouldnt. Less than a half hour before the ceremony, they had to make a decision; did they want their ceremony indoors or out? They trusted their gut like they have done many times before, and the gamble paid off. There wasn’t a single rain drop in sight that evening. We had gold hues and flowing greens the entire wedding day.
I loved that Trey and Gozde made color a big part of their day. The lavender accents and florals were really robust and satisfying for the senses. Even their dance floor had purple lights to tie everything together. Woodend Sanctuary and Mansion may technically be an “old venue” but it was a really great place for a new beginning.
This venue and many other historic venues and gardens are a very popular and sought after space for weddings in the Baltimore and Washington, DC area. These places are very unique and also have a unique set of rules and guidelines that couples are not always aware of. If you’re looking at a venue like this for your wedding day here are two big things you should be thinking of leading up to and the day of:
First, you should consider what you can and cannot do in order to help preserve the venue in regards to not just photography but other activities such as send offs such as lavender or rose petals or sparklers at the end. Rose petal, ceremony exits are beautiful for photography and enhancing a moment but may have an unwanted impact on the environment.
Second, you should ask what restrictions your venue has. What time are vendors allowed to arrive to show up? Is flash photography allowed everywhere? What areas are we allowed to take portraits in? Are guests allowed to wander during cocktail hour?
These might be questions that are answered once you’ve picked a venue and signed your contract but they should be questions you ask while you’re still touring so you can fully understand your space and how you can customize it best. Once you have these answers, make sure to tell your vendor team as well so they can help prepare for your day as well.
