Some projects live in your mind for years before they finally come to life — and this styled shoot at The Goodstone Inn was exactly that.

Partnering with MacKenzie from Pearl & Poppy Wedding Co. was truly a dream. From our very first conversation, we knew we wanted to create something that felt romantic, elevated, and deeply inspired by our shared love of espresso martinis & tiramisu. Together (alongside 10+ insanely talented DMV vendors), we brought our vision of a European countryside wedding to life — filled with rich florals, intentional design moments, and an experience that flowed beautifully from afternoon into golden hour and beyond.

The Goodstone Inn provided the perfect location— with its ivy-covered walls, sweeping mountain views, stone staircases, and dreamy pergola by the pool. Every frame felt like its own little world, allowing us to tell a full wedding-day story rather than just capturing one pretty setup. Cedar & Lime Co. florals and candles truly brought our vision to life, weaving a unique, thoughtful touch throughout the ceremony, tablescape, and bouquet accents that elevated every detail.

One of my favorite parts of the day was getting to shoot a mix of digital and film. There’s something so timeless and intentional about film photography — the vintage quality of the imagery reflects a nostalgic feeling in such a romantic, imperfectly perfect way. When I got the film scans back, they ended up being some of my absolute favorite images from the entire shoot. They truly elevated the editorial feel and brought so much depth and emotion to the story we were telling.

We began by capturing wedding invitations lovingly put together by Design Parlor Co. , styled with chocolate brown satin fabric and natural golden light by the pool. Cedar & Lime Co. designed a warm, autumnal altar with layered florals and candles on burgundy pillars, creating an intimate, old-world garden atmosphere. Mackenzie and I set up a chocolate brown backdrop to really lean into the espresso elegance we were going for while Sip DC Mobile Bar set up an espresso martini bar that elevated the entire cocktail hour vision we were imagining.

From there, we repurposed the ceremony florals to create the most stunning tablescape on the garden lawn beside the pool. Long tables dressed in layered linens, silver candelabras, ikebana-style florals, and soft hydrangea builds created a refined but inviting atmosphere. It was the perfect blend of editorial design and real wedding inspiration — showing couples how ceremony pieces can seamlessly transition into reception decor.

As the sun began to dip lower, we moved into dessert, drapery, and bar scenes near the pergola. The espresso martini cart from Sips DC Mobile Bar was a total showstopper, paired with tiramisu desserts styled among florals, figs, cherries, and flowing brown drapery for added texture and movement. This portion of the day felt like an elegant European after-party — moody, romantic, and full of life.

What made this shoot so special wasn’t just the beautiful design — it was the collaboration. Every single vendor brought heart, creativity, and intention into the day, and it felt like such a true representation of the DMV wedding community.

This day was a love letter to couples who love romantic, thoughtful design, and highlighted the power of working with vendors who truly care about the experience they’re creating.

Styled shoots every once in a while are so rejuvenating creatively. They remind me why I love what I do — bringing stories to life through connection, artistry, and collaboration. Without a doubt, this day reignited my spark for creating images that feel like a true love story. This amazing vendor team was a powerful combination, and I can’t wait to work with them all again!

Vendor Team

Planning & Design: Pearl & Poppy Wedding Co.

Photography & Design: Natalie Estess Photography

Venue: The Goodstone Inn

Content Creators: Honey Do Socials

Florals: Cedar & Lime Co.

Rentals: Curated Events DC

Dresses: Amanda Ritchey Bridal Loft

Cake & Desserts: Kathleen Faliskie

Makeup: Isabel A Vargas Beauty

Hair: LaShawn Debnam

Stationery: Design Parlor Co.

Bar: Sips DC Mobile Bar