I love photographing May weddings, despite the unpredictable weather.  So when the forecast was calling for rain and 95 degree conditions a week before the Big Day, I began praying for better weather for Melissa and Tim.  I was pretty excited that their wedding was at Rixey Manor because there always seems to be a gentle breeze on the hill and there are a few choice shade spots to keep your couples cooler.  As it turns out, their Rixey Manor wedding day was just perfect!  It did get a but warm but a cloud cover after the ceremony and even some rain during the reception couldn’t damper this exceptional day.

The Preparation

Melissa and her ladies prepared for the day n the bridal suite at Rixey Manor.  They were ready early thanks to the remarkable Yisell Santos, who created the most flawless hair and make up looks for these gorgeous women.  Herbie, Melissa and Tim’s beloved fur baby was there with them as well!  As soon as Melissa was in her dress, you could see that she felt as beautiful as she looked and especially loved donning a dress with pockets.  She then shared a first look with her dad and presented him with a gift as well as a gift for her mom.

This was another one of those weddings where I lost track of how many times tears popped into my eyes.  I don’t think there was a guest in attendance that couldn’t say the same.  The first look with her dad, stolen moments with her mom and sweet hugs between Melissa’s maid of honor, Shannon and her newborn and her two year old son top the list for just the morning!  So when it was time for some bridal portraits, Melissa’s joy just shines through!  And how about that bouquet from Good Earth Flowers?  I love the peonies and spring blooms!

The First Look

When it came time for the first look, Tim wanted it to be in the garden area at Rixey Manor and what a good choice!  Everything is so lush right now with the perfect greens and a few florals popped in here and there.  Tim was certainly excited to see his gorgeous bride and he couldn’t be more thrilled to share some time with her!

After the first look, they strolled along the grounds for some romantic portraits together and Herbie even joined in for a few!  The weather was much more mild than I anticipated and we stayed in a few shady spots as well.

How contagious is their laughter?!  I love how these two are both gentle in love and yet fierce in laughter.  The way they interact as best friends and as soon-to-be husband and wife really captured our hearts!

The Bridal Party

I have to say, they had the sweetest bridal party as well.  Between a hearty amount of lawyer jokes, hugs and anticipatory conversations about the reception, it was easy to see that this group was having fun together.  Melissa wanted her brother close after the first first look so we would be certain to capture the two of them together as well. After family and bridal party photographs, they all took a good amount of time for the bride to go into hiding and relax and for the men to shoot nerf guns  I mean, is there any other way for groomsmen to relax?

The Ceremony

Oh my…I hardly have words.  Melissa and Tim’s ceremony was lovely and their vows were remarkable.  These two have already been through so much.  By their tears you could see that they have already loved and cared for each other deeply.  Again, not a dry eye folks!

It was an extraordinary exchange of vows followed by so much joy!  After we celebrated with some just married photos and some family group portraits during cocktail hour.  I love how they had their most beloved friends’ children at the wedding day as well.  Little Aticus was adorable!

The Reception

The reception set up felt like you were walking into the most lovely garden party.  Melissa and Tim danced together to start everything for the evening.  The guests were then served a plated meal and then enjoyed several toasts celebrating the bride and groom.

The father/daughter dance once again elicited tears, followed by the mother/son dance.  After a cake cutting, guests enjoyed cake, more cocktails and a lot of dancing!  Rixey Manor certainly knows how to host a party for adults and kids alike!

Thank You!

It was an incredible wedding day and I am so very honored to have served Melissa and Tim on such a special day.  And I have to say a big thank you to the folks who helped make this day as wonderful as it was! But then read on to hear about how Melissa and Tim met, fell in love and how the proposal happened!

Venue: Rixey Manor

Florals: Good Earth Flowers

Hair and Make Up: Yisell Santos

DJ: I’m the DJ

Cake: Eloise Pastries

Catering: Purple Onion Catering Company

Wedding Gown: David’s Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal

Ring: The Natural Sapphire Company

Menswear: Mens Wearhouse

Officiant: Mary Sullivan

Invitations Suite: Magnet Street

Calligrapher/Place Cards: The Bride!

Herbie’s Tie Collar: Twinkle Mingle on Etsy

Second Photographer: Rebekah Kemp

Assistant: Kinsey Kidder

So where did you first meet?

“Our love story begins at the terrace of Letts Dormitory at American University in Washington DC, where we were both undergraduate students. Things took off after a night of dancing and a hay ride in West Virginia. After graduating college, we moved to DC with our shih-tzu, Herbert.”

What happened after the move to DC?

“Deciding to fulfill a life long passion, Melissa moved to Chicago to attend the John Marshall School of Law, while Tim stayed in DC pursuing his own career goals. After visiting each other every month while Melissa was in school and spending the summers together, Melissa moved back to DC and our little family was reunited once again. We decided to make it official in the Fall of 2016.”

How did Tim propose?

“Our proposal story is quintessentially D.C. and us. After working a long day at our respective government agencies, we decided to meet up for dinner near the Mall.  Herbie was at his Grammy & Grampy’s in Virginia and we didn’t have to rush home. After dinner, Tim suggested a walk to the Monuments. Melissa said she had to decide between going home to do dishes or going on a walk, but on an impulse chose going for a walk.

We used to walk to the Monuments frequently when we lived downtown and despite being November 29th, it was unseasonably warm.  So it seemed like the perfect night to just go for stroll on the Mall like old times. Melissa gave her sarcastic Mall tour…rattling off history and architecture facts being none the wiser that a love story a decade in the making was about to get a new chapter!

We made it to the Washington Monument and sat down on a bench to admire the Monument we usually rushed past on the way to work so Melissa could fix her band-aids on her blisters from walking all over New York City the weekend before. There in the soft glow of the lights surrounding the moment, with the city covered in a low sweeping fog, Tim asked Melissa to marry him. Surrounded by D.C. landmarks, history, and our own memories, she said ‘maybe…I think so… yeah…yes!’ It took a moment for Melissa to realize what was going on and reverted to her lawyer instincts until she understood what was happening. That was followed by a few happy tears, a few phone calls, and a picture taken by the sweatiest runner in D.C. to commemorate the joyous evening.”

Congratulations!

Congratulations Melissa and Tim!  I couldn’t be happier to serve you both on this day and am so excited for this new journey together!  Cheers!

To see more Rixey Manor weddings and engagement sessions, peruse HERE.

Check out the Ten Wedding Day Essentials you may not have considered yet for your wedding day!

Michelle Lieb with Lieb Photographic is a Virginia Wedding Photographer, Charlottesville Wedding Photographer, Baltimore Wedding Photographer and Harrisonburg Wedding Photographer. She is also a Washington DC Wedding Photographer, Phoenix Wedding Photographer, Arizona Wedding Photographer and a Destination Wedding Photographer!