There are wedding days that move fast & loud, and then there are weddings like Chloe & Alex’s — sincere and grounded in all the right ways. The kind of day that reminds you that a wedding should be less about performance and more about presence. It was my absolute honor to document this day for them on digital & film.

When I arrived at Chloe’s hotel room to photograph the start of their big day, Chloe practically radiated excitement. The entire room carried this lightness to it, music playing softly, family moving around getting ready, little details scattered across the space — but Chloe herself felt like the center of it all in the sweetest way. She was completely giddy, counting down the moments until she got to see Alex, smiling through every part of the morning. It immediately set the tone for the rest of the day: joyful, calm, emotional, and deeply present.

From there, we made our way to the Washington National Cathedral on one of those perfect early spring afternoons where everything in DC feels alive again. The Bishop’s Garden was overflowing with fresh greenery and blooms, and somehow the entire day moved at exactly the pace it needed to.

When they saw each other for the first time in the gardens, you could feel how deep their love goes. They exchanged private vows tucked away in the Bishop’s Garden before Alex’s best friend officiated their ceremony beneath a blooming tree surrounded by all their people. It was deeply personal and connected.

One of the things I loved most about this day was how welcomed I felt by everyone there. Chloe, Alex are simply great people. They make you feel immediately included in their little world. By the end of the day, photographing them didn’t feel like capturing clients. It felt like spending the afternoon with old friends.