http://www.unitedwithlove.com/2012/05/01/tips-for-selecting-a-weddingvenue-in-dc/
Photo Credit: Rodney Bailey
Wedding-Photography-Washington-DC-District-Weddings
Wedding-Photography-Baltimore-Maryland-MD Weddings
Wedding-Photographer-Northern-Virginia
1. Monumental photographs?
Have your heart set on wedding day photographs in front of the monuments on or near the Mall? Then choose a venue for your wedding in a DC neighborhood near the monuments, preferably in Foggy Bottom, downtown or Capitol Hill. If you are not getting married nearby to the monuments, those photographs may not work with your wedding day schedule. You will need to plan at least double the amount of time you might expect for travel as traffic can be unpredictable. The last thing you want is the extra stress of possibly being late to your ceremony or reception. To avoid the hassle, I would suggest doing your engagement photos or scheduling a “day after shoot” if your wedding location is not conveniently located to these spots. If you do decide to do photographs on the National Mall don’t forget to request a permit through the National Park Police.
2. Consider the neighborhood
Because weddings in the DC area often include a big percentage of out of town guests, choose a location that is near the metro and includes lots to see and do during their free time – what we like to call “Guest Safaris”! A happening area such as Chinatown or Penn Quarter can include your ceremony, reception, and rehearsal dinner all within
walking distance of multiple hotel options for guests. Include a metro map and a list of suggested restaurants, museums and other nearby places in your gift bags. For a nice little touch, add a prepaid metro card for each guest.
3. Speaking of hotel options for guests…
As soon as you book your wedding venue, secure room blocks at a few hotels at different price points. Don’t procrastinate, because a big conference, rally, or other major DC event could drive up hotel room prices and make options scarce. Most hotels will allow you to hold 10-15 rooms per night without requiring a guarantee, your host hotel will likely allow you to hold more. Be sure to read your hotel contract carefully, otherwise you might be stuck with the bill for unbooked rooms.
4. Pay attention to decor
If you are going for a modern wedding, a ballroom filled with presidential seals in the carpet, and navy and gold decor might not be the right fit. Work with the existing decor in your wedding venue, not against it. While touring potential venues take notes of some of the site’s included decor items that you like such as chairs, linens, and chargers. If you will not need to rent these items it could save you a chunk of change in the end. Include these items that you don’t need to rend into your “apples-to-apples: budget comparisons of your venues to get an idea of the total cost.
5. Sky’s the limit
Whatever type of location you envision for your day, you can likely find it right here in the DC area. Don’t be discouraged if the places friends suggest or your first few searches don’t yield the venues you are dreaming of. A local wedding planner is an excellent resource in this department (and many others)! They often know of locations that you may not find on your own and many times know of special deals at hotels that you might not have otherwise thought you could afford. Keep digging! From waterfront venues in Baltimore Inner Harbor to vineyards in Loudoun County to gala-worthy ballrooms in the District…this area truly has it all.
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Top Notch Wedding Photography in Northern Virginia
Getting everything right on the day of the wedding can be tough, but photography doesn't have to be on your list of worries. My team and I have participated in hundreds of weddings and know everything about shooting weddings in Northern Virginia. Our work has been featured in top wedding magazines in the area and we bring every bit of professionalism and customer service to each shoot. Every wedding is a new affair and every couple deserves to get the very best photographs possible.
Adapting to Clients and Locations
Shooting in so many different people and locations has taught me how to adapt to situations and be flexible with the work. The process always starts with the clients, who they are and how their personalities will play out on the special day. I work hard to make them forget the butterflies that a fluttering around in their stomachs on the big day, keep things moving, and the laughter coming. It's about having fun, basking in the precious moments that make up this once in a lifetime day.
Catching Real Moments
Posed photographs often feel stale and fail to capture the true sentiments of the day. This is why I have always been a huge proponent for the photojournalistic style and I work weddings in the least obtrusive manner possible. I love meeting the clients and getting to know their personalities ahead of time, but on the day of the wedding I want them to forget I'm there. Being a wall flower is what allows me to catch people in the beautiful candid moments, the quirky and cute exchanges, or the private anticipation. The personalities unfold in the places and I use the natural lighting, angles, and other elements to enhance every photograph.
Quality and Originality in Every Shot
Even after hundreds of weddings, I walk into every ceremony like it's my first. This is how I can maintain originality and use the unique people and relationships of every event. It's not just about the beautiful, artistic shots, however. I know that these photographs must stand the test of time, that they will decorate people's homes. It is why every photograph is taken with skilled finesse to produce the highest quality possible, keeping the wedding day memories crystal clear on each page of the album.
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Photo Credit: Rodney Bailey
Wedding-Photography-Washington-DC-District-Weddings
Wedding-Photography-Baltimore-Maryland-MD Weddings
Wedding-Photographer-Northern-Virginia
1. Monumental photographs?
Have your heart set on wedding day photographs in front of the monuments on or near the Mall? Then choose a venue for your wedding in a DC neighborhood near the monuments, preferably in Foggy Bottom, downtown or Capitol Hill. If you are not getting married nearby to the monuments, those photographs may not work with your wedding day schedule. You will need to plan at least double the amount of time you might expect for travel as traffic can be unpredictable. The last thing you want is the extra stress of possibly being late to your ceremony or reception. To avoid the hassle, I would suggest doing your engagement photos or scheduling a “day after shoot” if your wedding location is not conveniently located to these spots. If you do decide to do photographs on the National Mall don’t forget to request a permit through the National Park Police.
2. Consider the neighborhood
Because weddings in the DC area often include a big percentage of out of town guests, choose a location that is near the metro and includes lots to see and do during their free time – what we like to call “Guest Safaris”! A happening area such as Chinatown or Penn Quarter can include your ceremony, reception, and rehearsal dinner all within
walking distance of multiple hotel options for guests. Include a metro map and a list of suggested restaurants, museums and other nearby places in your gift bags. For a nice little touch, add a prepaid metro card for each guest.
3. Speaking of hotel options for guests…
As soon as you book your wedding venue, secure room blocks at a few hotels at different price points. Don’t procrastinate, because a big conference, rally, or other major DC event could drive up hotel room prices and make options scarce. Most hotels will allow you to hold 10-15 rooms per night without requiring a guarantee, your host hotel will likely allow you to hold more. Be sure to read your hotel contract carefully, otherwise you might be stuck with the bill for unbooked rooms.
4. Pay attention to decor
If you are going for a modern wedding, a ballroom filled with presidential seals in the carpet, and navy and gold decor might not be the right fit. Work with the existing decor in your wedding venue, not against it. While touring potential venues take notes of some of the site’s included decor items that you like such as chairs, linens, and chargers. If you will not need to rent these items it could save you a chunk of change in the end. Include these items that you don’t need to rend into your “apples-to-apples: budget comparisons of your venues to get an idea of the total cost.
5. Sky’s the limit
Whatever type of location you envision for your day, you can likely find it right here in the DC area. Don’t be discouraged if the places friends suggest or your first few searches don’t yield the venues you are dreaming of. A local wedding planner is an excellent resource in this department (and many others)! They often know of locations that you may not find on your own and many times know of special deals at hotels that you might not have otherwise thought you could afford. Keep digging! From waterfront venues in Baltimore Inner Harbor to vineyards in Loudoun County to gala-worthy ballrooms in the District…this area truly has it all.
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wedding,"Washington dc","district of Columbia wedding", "destination wedding","Maryland, photography",photojournalist, "Virginia wedding photographer", Washington dc wedding, wedding, ceremony,wedding reception,wedding venue,event,Rodney,Bailey,"Rodney bailey","photography by Rodney bailey"
Top Notch Wedding Photography in Northern Virginia
Getting everything right on the day of the wedding can be tough, but photography doesn't have to be on your list of worries. My team and I have participated in hundreds of weddings and know everything about shooting weddings in Northern Virginia. Our work has been featured in top wedding magazines in the area and we bring every bit of professionalism and customer service to each shoot. Every wedding is a new affair and every couple deserves to get the very best photographs possible.
Adapting to Clients and Locations
Shooting in so many different people and locations has taught me how to adapt to situations and be flexible with the work. The process always starts with the clients, who they are and how their personalities will play out on the special day. I work hard to make them forget the butterflies that a fluttering around in their stomachs on the big day, keep things moving, and the laughter coming. It's about having fun, basking in the precious moments that make up this once in a lifetime day.
Catching Real Moments
Posed photographs often feel stale and fail to capture the true sentiments of the day. This is why I have always been a huge proponent for the photojournalistic style and I work weddings in the least obtrusive manner possible. I love meeting the clients and getting to know their personalities ahead of time, but on the day of the wedding I want them to forget I'm there. Being a wall flower is what allows me to catch people in the beautiful candid moments, the quirky and cute exchanges, or the private anticipation. The personalities unfold in the places and I use the natural lighting, angles, and other elements to enhance every photograph.
Quality and Originality in Every Shot
Even after hundreds of weddings, I walk into every ceremony like it's my first. This is how I can maintain originality and use the unique people and relationships of every event. It's not just about the beautiful, artistic shots, however. I know that these photographs must stand the test of time, that they will decorate people's homes. It is why every photograph is taken with skilled finesse to produce the highest quality possible, keeping the wedding day memories crystal clear on each page of the album.
wedding,"Washington dc","district of Columbia wedding", "destination wedding","Maryland, photography",photojournalist, "Virginia wedding photographer", Washington dc wedding, wedding, ceremony,wedding reception,wedding venue,event,"Rodney bailey Wedding photography",
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© Photojournalism by Rodney Bailey