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Carol & Shelton's Lavish, Wintery Wedding in Alexandria, VA

Updated: Sep 19, 2019


Carol and Shelton posing for a formal wedding photo on the cobblestone road in Old Town Alexandria.

Introduction:

The first time we met Carol and Shelton for their initial client meeting, we could tell that they were a very bubbly and fun-filled couple which fit our style perfectly. During the meeting, we clicked right away and knew that we had found our next couple. There was a little added pressure for us on this wedding as Carol is herself is a very skilled wedding and events coordinator in the DC area. Shelton, like most guys, was there for the laughs (and free Starbucks, just kidding! Just kidding!) but was definitely joking just as much as we were. The couple was so impressed with our work that not only did they book us for their wedding, but we also shot their engagement session as well as Carol's Bridal shower! So by the time the wedding came around, we were all very well acquainted, which is definitely the most ideal scenario. This dynamic played very well on the wedding day and it showed in the images, so let's get to it!

Preparation:

Locations - Westin Alexandria, Franklin Household, Alfred Street Baptist Church

Carol and the bridesmaids spent their morning getting ready in a beautiful suite in the Westin Alexandria. By the time we had arrived, the makeup artist, Nicole Redwine, was just finishing up the last bridesmaid and getting to our bride. Talk about perfect timing! The other bridesmaids were in the other room of the suite tending to their own personal styles. We started off as we start most of our weddings with the details. We chose to go with a more dramatic lighting setup for these details which played very well. The bridesmaids wore gorgeous navy blue dresses and the Maid and Matron of Honor stood out with their golden shoulder chain pieces! Once the ladies of NOT JUST HAIR Salon and Boutique finished the bride's hair, Carol slipped into her beautiful wedding dress from The Bridal Room. We had a great time with the ladies that morning as it set the mood for the rest of the day.

Makeup used for the bride at the Westin Alexandria.
The bride getting her makeup done at the Westin Alexandria.

The bride getting her makeup and hair done by NOT JUST HAIR Salon & Boutique at the Westin Alexandria.
The bridesmaids helping each other prepare at the Westin Alexandria
The maid of honor posing for a pre wedding portrait at the Westin Alexandria.
The bridesmaid posing for a pre wedding portrait at the Westin Alexandria.
The bridesmaid posing for a pre wedding portrait at the Westin Alexandria.
The bridesmaid posing for a pre wedding portrait at the Westin Alexandria.
The bridesmaid posing for a pre wedding portrait at the Westin Alexandria.
The wedding ring and brides shoes in a dramatic lighting setup at the Westin Alexandria.
The bride's wedding shoes, wedding garter, and wedding accessories.

The engagement ring and wedding bands.

The engagement ring and wedding bands along with the bride's wedding accessories.

The bride's wedding accessories with the wedding stationery at the Westin Alexandria.

The bride's wedding dress from The Bridal Room hanging at the Westin Alexandria.
The bride and her Bridesmaids pose for a portrait at the Westin Alexandria before leaving for the Alfred Street Baptist Church.
The bride and her Bridesmaids pose for a portrait at the Westin Alexandria before leaving for the Alfred Street Baptist Church.
The bride and her Bridesmaids pose for a portrait at the Westin Alexandria before leaving for the Alfred Street Baptist Church.

The gentlemen prepared for the wedding at the Franklin household. Shelton had his personal barber come to the house and get the groomsmen looking as sharp as the blades he used. The fellas enjoyed telling jokes and stories about each other over drinks as they dressed in their formal wear from Tuxedo by Sarno.

The formal wear provided for the groom and groomsmen by Tuxedo by Sarno.
The groom having some fun during the preparation for the wedding in Washington DC.
The groom getting his hair cut before putting on his Tuxedo by Sarno formal wear in Washington DC.

A groomsmen getting a haircut during the wedding preparation in Washington DC.

A photo of the groom's formalwear provided by Tuxedo by Sarno in Washington DC.
The groom and groomsmen sharing laughs in their formalwear from Tuxedo by Sarno in Washington DC.
The groom getting his bowtie from Tuxedo by Sarno fixed in Washington DC.
The groom putting on his the finishing touches to his formalwear from Tuxedo by Sarno in Washington DC.
The groom and groomsmen pose for a photo before heading to the wedding at Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA.

Finally, both parties would converge at the Alfred Street Baptist Church where final preparations were made. We used this last bit of time before the ceremony to prepare a quick slideshow of the shots that we had taken that morning to play at the start of the ceremony! The children of the wedding showed up and got to have some free time to play the piano and have some fun before the ceremony. The couple shared prayers with their separate parties and then were led in prayer by Carol's father.

The flower girls get ready for the wedding ceremony at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria VA.
The bride and bridesmaid have fun with the junior groomsman before the wedding ceremony at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria VA.
The bride poses with all of the children of the wedding before the ceremony at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria VA.
The groom shares a prayer with his groomsmen before the wedding ceremony at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria VA.
The groom shares a moment with his mother before the wedding ceremony at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria VA.
The bride and groom before the wedding ceremony at Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria VA.
The bride and groom share a prayer with the Father-of-the-Bride before the wedding ceremony at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria VA.

Ceremony:

The Wedding ceremony started off with a slideshow of photos to music that we had prepared just before the start using shots from the morning. There were plenty of emotions from guests as the photos scrolled through. The Alfred Street Baptist Church is among one of the most active and beautiful churches in the Alexandria, Virginia area. It provided a wonderful setting for Carol and Shelton's wedding. The couple chose to perform in the hand washing ceremony to symbolize the start of their marriage with a clean slate. There was a duet performance by Ms. Louise Pearson and Mr. Jonathan Watkins that was absolutely riveting. It wasn't long after that we found ourselves looking at the new Mr. and Mrs. Franklin as they hopped the broom in a room full of excitement and love!

The groom, Shelton, approaching the alter at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria Virginia.

The groom, Shelton, approaching the alter at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria Virginia.

The bridesmaid is escorted by the groomsmen to the alter at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.
The bridesmaid is escorted by the groomsmen to the alter at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.
The bridesmaid is escorted by the groomsmen to the alter at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.
The bridesmaid is escorted by the groomsmen to the alter at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.
The bridesmaid is escorted by the groomsmen to the alter at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.
The bridesmaid is escorted by the groomsmen to the alter at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.
The Maid of Honor is escorted by the groomsmen to the alter at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.
The Matron of Honor is escorted by the Best Man to the alter at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.
The junior groomsman walking down the isle to the alter at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.
The flower girls and junior bridesmaids walking down the isle to the alter at the Alfred Street Baptist church in Alexandria, Virginia.
The flower girls and junior bridesmaids walking down the isle to the alter at the Alfred Street Baptist church in Alexandria, Virginia.
The bride and her father walk down the isle to the alter at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia

The bride and her father walk down the isle to the alter at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia
The bride and her father walk down the isle to the alter at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia

The groom watches on as his bride approaches the alter with her father at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria Virginia.

The groom takes his brides hand for the first time during the wedding ceremony at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.
The wedding ceremony scene at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.

The bride and groom hold hands at the alter as they share their vows with one another at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.
The bride sheds some tears during the vows portion of the wedding ceremony at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria Virginia.
The bride and groom participate ni the hand washing ceremony during the wedding ceremony at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.

The soloists perform during the wedding ceremony at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.
The bride and groom look on as the soloists perform during the wedding ceremony at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.

The bride and groom share their first kiss as Mr. and Mrs. during the wedding ceremony at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.

The bride and groom are presented as Mr. and Mrs. for the very first time during the wedding ceremony at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria Virginia.

The bride and groom traditionally jump the broom after the wedding ceremony at the Alfred Street Baptist Church.
The bride and groom leading the recessional after the wedding ceremony at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.

Formals / Afternoon Outing:

Immediately following the ceremony, we had all of the guests stand and face the balcony for one large photo with everyone in attendance. Of course we spent a little time at the alter with the couple and their family before the mini-reception. The vehicle for the day was a classic Shelby that was loaned to Shelton by his father. We loved incorporating it into some shots before we took the bride and groom out and about in Old Town Alexandria.

Carol and Shelton posing for a formal wedding photo on the cobblestone road in Old Town Alexandria.

As the sun set for the evening, we found ourselves at the final location for the night--the George Washington Masonic Temple. The entire temple was lit with blue light and the awesome folks at Brightly Ever After provided beautiful letter lights to go out front, giving the couple a gorgeous custom view. Inside of the temple, we finished up the formals sessions with shots of the entire wedding party and a few of our signature fun poses!

Reception:

The reception area was a gorgeous open area in the middle of the temple. The layout for the couple had the dance floor in the middle of all of the dinner tables so that every guest had a view of the action. The uplighting which was also provided by the musical entertainment for the night, DJ Max Powers, kept with the blue theme for the couple and was gorgeous as it flowed up the columns. All around the reception hall were posters of information and fun stories about Shelton and Carol that the guests seemed to really enjoy.

The couple danced their first dance to the classic Pattie La Belle song "Love, Need, and Want You" followed by the parent dances and dinner provided by Exquisite Cuisine. The party continued without a hitch with funny moments like Shelton pulling off the wrong garter, Carol's brother's toast, and more heart-felt moments like the Anniversary Dance. The Anniversary Dance is when all married couples join the newlyweds on the floor and as the song goes on, couples that have been married for more than however many years are asked to leave the dance floor until only one couple remains to give advice. The couple followed up by cutting their delicious cake from Edibles Incredible.

As the night wound down, the couple put out scarfs to keep guests warm as they prepared to exit into the cold--a very sweet and generous touch. Carol found time to step away and slip into a more comfortable, formal pant suit that complimented Shelton's Tuxedo. The Grand Exit was capped off with a walk through the reception hall surrounded by love and glow sticks!

Conclusion:

It was our greatest pleasure to work with Carol and Shelton for their wedding. They had a clear vision for their special day and they told us that it was all so worth it. We wish nothing but the sincerest best to this amazing couple as they start their new journey! Congratulations again Mr. and Mrs. Shelton Franklin!

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