Preston and Tara - Wedding in Glen Echo, MD
"Wrap yourself around me
'Cause I ain't the way that you found meI'll never be the same
'Cause you make my dreams come true"
hall&oates
Tara, her long blonde hair and even longer legs came whirling into Starbucks. She looked wind blown, natural and happy. She smiled introducing herself, smiled ordering her coffee, smiled drinking her coffee, smiled sitting at the red table - she basically just smiled. Tara told a funny joke and gave my arm a little squeeze and rolled back in her seat, then continued to tell me about her wedding plans.

"It's going to be at a park near my parents house. We're trying to do a fun, elegant carnival theme." My fair-loving-ears perked up. Tell me more.

"We want it to be very colorful -- we are going to rent the carousal at the park! -- with good music, hopefully from a live band!" She went on and on about her ideas for this splendid wedding at Glen Echo park and she reeled me in - hook, line and sinker. I'm pretty sure I would have cried if I hadn't gotten this job because this fun-loving, ridiculously smart, smiling bride was going to have my dream wedding and I wanted to shoot it.

Hey guess what! She thought I was alright and booked me! Haha :D
When her lovely day finally rolled around, I met up with her at the house where she grew up, right outside Glen Echo Park. It was so sweet to see pictures on the walls of her as a little girl, and there she was in her yellow J. Crew wedding shoes and Carolina Herrara wedding gown, looking exactly as an elegant lady aught.

She glided from room to room, smiling of course, and let everyone "Oooh" and "Aaah." It's probably how Princess Diana or Grace Kelly would work a room - delightfully warm and extremely pleasant with a sophistication you can't teach.

The chose to do a "first look" so that they could move seamlessly from ceremony to cocktail hour to reception. And spend lots of time taking gorgeous pictures at the park. Be sure to check out the slideshow for more of their first look :D

Before we get to that, though. I'd like to brag about my bride some more. Lets see... what else can we discuss? Well, Tara was born in Paris but was raised in Brazil, Australia, America and various European countries. She went to Yale Law (so did her dapper man, Preston - but don't worry, they didn't meet there. That's much too Legally Blonde for this couple ;D)

But the most impressive thing about her is how she doesn't give you that any of that snotty-I'm-pretty-much-awesome vibe. Nope. She is as welcoming as they come and you can't help but like her!

"Oooh! Wow! This is just lovely! What a day! Ooh this is so much fun!" She actually reminded me of a young Julia Child. "Ope! [big laughs!] Ooooh! [sigggh]" Smitten with life - and her man.

Her friends were just as dear and sweet. They are wonderful ladies (and very, very pretty!)

I've mentioned this before on the blog, but I still adore Glen Echo Park and I honestly got goosebumps as I was taking pictures. I love everything about the venue!
Back in its golden years, it was an amusement park. It also boasted a swimming pool, candy shops and soda fountains, with swing dances held nightly. It was colorful, it was happening and was, I am sure, so much fun. Today the Spanish ballroom still has swing dances on Friday nights and the "1921 Dentzel three-row menagerie carousel" operates daily.

Many couples, I'm sure, have strolled hand-in-hand through this park. Many nervous boys have asked cute girls to dance with them. And today, a husband and wife strolled the grounds together.

One of my all time favorites. Of all time. Ever. I love the styling, the colors and the simplicity.

Beautiful people alert!




He is a very sincere man, with a gentle demeanor and strong but quiet presence.

And even though he wasn't jumping up and down in excitement about taking pictures, I'm pretty sure he secretly loved getting to pull his model moves ;D

:) :) :)









And now they are off! And married! Ready to conquer the world! After their carnival reception, of course.









While we waited in line, as the sun shone it's last rays, Tara waved to her guests spinning by. She leaned on Preston's shoulder. She smiled, covered her mouth and her eyes glittered. "This is such fun!"


I found the picture on the left in a room in Tara's house. Little dancing Tara, with hair blowing and dress ruffles spinning. I think she has probably danced through life just like this. And now, as the picture on the right shows, she's still smiling and twirling but not alone. Someone in the picture. A very important someone - who comes alongside her, cares for her, loves her. And she loves him.

"Oh, this is such fun."

This is definitely going to be published.
ReplyDeleteThat means a lot coming from you.
ReplyDelete(ps. you should prob visit your brothers church this sunday... just an idea...)
duuuuude.
ReplyDeleteplease excuse me while i pick my jaw up off the floor and wipe the drool off my chin.
Amaaaaazing.
Seriously, I can't get over how cute they were, how amazing the venue was, and how awesome a job you did capturing it all.
You rock miss klp ;)
Best. Ever.
ReplyDeletewow...perfection!
ReplyDeleteWoah. Kristen, just woah. The details (rocked), the dress (a dream), the couple (ohsocute)...seriously. What an AMAZING wedding that was essentially created by God for YOU to photograph (hey, He's in control of all things, yes?).
ReplyDeleteLovely. I am so in awe of your talent. (And I adore your post-processing.)
Way cool stuff! I love Glen Echo!
ReplyDeletewhat a fun wedding!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun theme. I love the vintage feel to your photography...beautiful!
ReplyDeleteuh, let me just confirm with you that you are so doing my wedding? yes. these are seriously your best. i heart every picture. ;)
ReplyDeletelove you soooooo.
ellie
Wowwww. :O. These are A.MAZ.ING. Beautiful shots. I love their theme and it seems to match perfectly with you :) Beautiful work, beautiful everything. Perfect.
ReplyDeletethese are fantastic. something about your detail shots just make me want to jump for joy!
ReplyDeleteWOW.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful job!
ReplyDeleteI will have to agree with miss jamiedeliane on this one.
ReplyDeletelove this one kristin! i too am a fair lover:)
ReplyDeleteI am in LOVE with this wedding and photos! I was sold on the Hall & Oates lyrics...they're the bees knees...so is i'm kristen =)
ReplyDeleteThis wedding is amazing! You should try and get it published!!! So good!
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome! They are fantastic, and I LOVE the carnival theme. These photos are sooo gorgeous! :] I'm smitten.
ReplyDeleteoh wow oh wow....I love all those details!!!!!! :))
ReplyDeleteyou should probably call me right now.
ReplyDeletelove everything about this shoot!
ReplyDeleteWow, this wedding is amazing!! You totally captured the feel and fun of the day! I bet they're ecstatic about their pictures!
ReplyDeleteKrisen....AMAZING!!! When you sent out those mini teasers the other day from your phone I was dying for more and your def. came through with more!! You did a great job!! What a great location!! P.s. I'm super excited about your studio!! that's huge!! :) p.s.s lets set up a skype date soon!! for reals! :P
ReplyDeletesoo.. the t ran away in your name!! oops! lets do it again...
ReplyDeleteKristen... (continue above) :)
I LOVE the one with her bouquet in the dresser drawer and the one of the bride and groom kissing in front of the "special" train! :D
ReplyDeleteNot that you weren't already amazing before this... but seriously, you did a superdeeduperly awesome job w/ these!!!
ReplyDeleteI would've had a joyful heartattack seing all those details to shoot. =)
Pure excellence- this needs to be in a wedding magazine!!
Hey Kristen! Just saw your shoot on greylikesweddings blog. Awesome! That was a lovely surprise, though obviously shouldn't have been since these pictures are amazing! Take care.
ReplyDelete-Sarah Megorden
These are awesome! Love the theme and the shots you got.
ReplyDeleteWow, color me impressed! Kristen, your stuff is beautiful.
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You are SO GOOD! I love this shoot - details rock. i like the 74 and in a wheelchair.. =)
ReplyDelete