Peter and Amy first met in October 2016 while out with friends on a Friday night at Martin’s Tavern in Washington, DC. Pete struck up conversation with Amy about a local diner in Capitol Hill near where Amy lived, and soon asked her to breakfast the next morning. They will celebrate 4yrs together in October. Amy and Peter got engaged in March 2019. Pete proposed in the Bishop’s Garden at the Washington National Cathedral. They had tickets to an event at the Cathedral that evening but Pete suggested a walk-through before taking their seats… and the rest is history.
It was time to start planing their big day. Like so many 2020 wedding couples, Amy and Peter’s wedding was altered due to COVID -19. Their original plan was to marry on August 1, 2020, surrounded by 130 of our closest family and friends at Ten Mile Station in Breckenridge, Colorado, near where Amy’s parents live. When COVID caused them to cancel their “big plans,” they were determined to marry on their same date – August 1, 2020 – but in a small ceremony near their home in Washington, DC. When it came to deciding their new details, they wanted to make sure the day was safe first and foremost, but also fun and laid back for those that would be joining them. They invited only our immediate families and wedding party, so they knew it’d be intimate too. All of this said, they couldn’t have pulled it off without their incredible families, wedding planner and vendors either. Everything came together in the 5 weeks before the wedding, thanks to their recommendations, advice and eagerness to help them make the day happen. They are so grateful to every one of them.
When I received the email from Amy telling me of their new plans, I just knew I wanted to travel to DC to still be part of their wedding day. As a destination wedding photographer I get very excited when I get to travel to new locations to photograph weddings. Not only were Amy and Peter very accommodating to having me travel to DC but they were just as excited to have me there just as much as I was. Keeping me as their photographer was one less vendor they would have to rebook for their wedding day.
They decided to get married at The Woodend Sanctuary and Mansion as it reminded them of Colorado. Woodend also offered an outdoor, COVID-safe space and large tent to host everyone. This had to be one of the most amazing wedding venues I had ever shot at.
The day started out with some getting ready photos and then to Washington National Cathedral for the first look, where Pete had proposed. Once we arrived to the venue we did all of their family and wedding party photos before the ceremony, so they could spend the rest of our evening celebrating with their guests. Once of my favorite things about a first look is that you can enjoy the private time you have together before things get crazy. Plus, after the ceremony is over, its great to be able to catch up with all of your guests.
The best part of the day was the ceremony. Their parents and siblings were each assigned a reading, and they had their nieces and nephews lead everyone in singing a verse from the hymn “This Little Light of Mine.” At the end of the night, Amy’s parents put together a surprise video with well wishes and messages from all of the guests that were invited to the large wedding too, which blew them both away, it was truly amazing and so special!!
If you’re a COVID couple, Amy and Pete’s best advice is to still do the things that’ll make your day feel as “big” or “special” as you had originally envisioned. For example, they both wanted beautiful professional photography to capture the day, no matter how large or small the wedding would ultimately be. When it comes to photography, Amy’s advice was to remember to laugh! “Danna had the best sense of humor to keep us laughing all day long, and our pictures are proof!” Also, share your shot list with parents, immediate family and wedding party before your wedding day, so they know your plan. Finally, candy for the kiddos, always.
Some advice from Amy, ” Believe in good checklists. As the wedding got closer, my memory of all the little things do be done waned a bit. It was easy to ask for help if it was a matter of checking a box.”
Location of Wedding: Woodend Sanctuary and Mansion – Chevy Chase, MD – https://woodendsanctuary.org/weddings/
Location of Reception: Woodend Sanctuary and Mansion – Chevy Chase, MD – https://woodendsanctuary.org/weddings/
