Heather Z Photography

Dasha + Mehrdad | JUST BECAUSE | Old Town Alexandria, VA

Heather Z — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 19:07:30 +0000

I love it when couples come to me with ideas! When Dasha and I started talking about her engagement session, I knew she wanted something a little retro and wanted to play with props. The balloons that matched her polka dot dress are just too cute! I definitely hope to have the chance to play like that again! And in the spirit of her concept, I decided to deviate for a moment from my regular vibrant colors and experiement with a little bit of a vintage look. I hope you enjoy it! Feel free to leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Protected: Vanessa & Caleb | ENGAGED! | Old Town Alexandria, VA

Heather Z — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:20:25 +0000

Meghan + David | MARRIED!| Merriweather Manor - Leesburg, VA

Heather Z — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 13:09:10 +0000

It started almost two weeks prior to the big day, like little flapping wings in the bottom of my stomach. The butterflies of excitement and nervousness were *almost* as much mine, as they were Meghan’s in anticipation of her wedding day. Though I’ve been excited for their wedding since the day we met, the slightest bit of apprehension didn’t begin to sink in until two weeks prior, on the perfect fall evening where we walked through their venue, the stunningly picturesque and vintage Merriweather Manor in Leesburg, VA. From the moment we turned onto the gravel road leading up to the sun-drenched hill where the manor sits primly perched, I knew I was in love. This venue is nothing short of spectacular! I can only imagine that Meghan and David were won over as immediately as I was when they saw the slate patio with the golden mountain backdrop where they said their vows and the beautiful light streaming through the large paned glass windows in the bridal suite. And when I woke up on the morning of their wedding, I simply prayed that I would be able to do justice to what I knew would be a fabulous day.

On the afternoon of their wedding day, Merriweather was even more dazzling. As the song goes, the birds sang as if it knew and there wasn’t a cloud to be seen in the perfect blue sky. People buzzed like bees making sure that every last detail was attended to and flawless. And Meghan couldn’t have looked more stunning, or thrilled, as she slipped into her fitted lace gown. There’s little wonder why David fought back the tears as his beautiful bride walked down the patio toward him, where he stood beside his father who would officiate the ceremony that would join them forever. It was such a pleasure for me to be there to witness and capture such a range of emotions, on that perfectly sunlit patio, surrounded by their closest family and friends. And my enjoyment only increased as we began their portraits during the amazing sunset. There were soo many little spots for us to use and I don’t even feel like we had time to take advantage of half of them before we ventured back up the hill to get the party started. And started it did, from the moment the bridal party was announced, dancing and laughing began. The evening was so characteristic of these two, and I’m not sure there is a single image of them from the rest of the night where they weren’t soaking in every moment of happiness with a smile or laugh on their lips. As a photographer, I couldn’t have asked for more.

Florist: Holly Heider Chapple Flowers LLC
DJ: Ryan “DJ Mosel” Mosel
Caterer: Culinary Delights
Wedding Coordinator: Laura Whalen
Gown designer/retailer: Pronovias
Bridesmaids dress designer/retailer: Watters and Watters
Invitations: Dandelion Patch
Wedding Cake: Groom’s Mother
Hair and Make-up: Hair and Faces by Lisa

Meghan + David | COMING SOON! | Merriweather Manor - Leesburg, VA

Heather Z — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:48:21 +0000

Erika + Ivan | MARRIED! | Key Bridge Marriott - Arlington, VA

Heather Z — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 21:47:30 +0000

I cannot help be feel incredibly lucky to have been blessed by so many endearing couples and beautiful weddings days this year. As I walked into Erika’s hotel suite, I was immediately swept up by her sweet nervousness. And it was endearing to watch as her mother and closest friends tried to calm and distract her as she primped and prepped in her final moments as a single woman. Meanwhile, upstairs on the top floor of the Key Bridge Marriott, Ivan and his family did the same, as they greeted guests who had traveled in from all over the world, to participate in their multi-cultural ceremony. I loved hearing Ivan’s mother, a Peruvian resident, read in her native language, followed by the minister’s lovely tale of a groom who felt peace and completeness from the moment he first met the woman who held his hands in front of us all. Our fortune continued outside as we wandered to the park across the street for portraits, where I couldn’t have asked for more beautiful light. Once we returned to the ball room, DJ Mike kept the floor hopping, while including a few spanish songs to encourage the salsa dancers on the floor to show off their moves. We finished the evening with a number of family photos that definitely demonstrate how much fun the relaxed crowd was having.

Florist: Buckingham Florist
DJ: DJ Mike
Caterer: Key Bridge Marriott
Gown designer/retailer: Katherine’s Bridal Boutique
Bridesmaids dress designer/retailer: J Crew
Invitations: Mary Anne Lloyd
Rehearsal dinner: Sequoia

Ariel + Kevin | MARRIED! | Chesapeake Bay Beach Club

Heather Z — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 12:03:58 +0000

To say that Ariel and Kevin’s wedding was anything short of AMAZING would seriously be an insult. From the moment I met Ariel last fall, I knew that I was going to have a blast photographing their wedding, and it did not disappoint! As soon as I walked into her condo, I found myself surrounded by her stunning and enthusiastic team of bridesmaids who I am totally hoping to see again because I enjoyed their company THAT much! (Hi Corinne, Marisa, Tarah, Lauren R., Lauren V., and Danielle!!) And Ariel just radiated pure joy from start to finish. After she finished putting on the final touches of her attire, we headed over to the condo clubhouse to take advantage of its incredible light and dynamite decor for a a few portraits before heading to St. Mary’s Church in Annapolis where we captured a few more while basking (or perhaps baking??) in the sun. And we did our best to preserve Amie Decker’s handiwork on Ariel’s make-up as she teared up over the card Kevin sent out to her just before the ceremony. Once the ‘I Do’s’ were said and rings exchanged, I joined the bridal party and family on a CRUISE of the bay over to the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club. It felt so good to travel in style with the warmth on my face and wind in my hair, surrounded by the laughter of their closest friends. Upon arrival, guests were greeted with the creative culinary delights of the on-site caterer, including mini grilled-cheese-and-tomato-soup appetizers and a mashed potato/ sweet potato bar with all the trimmings! It’s a good thing the food was so delish because once the band (best I have ever heard at a wedding) got started, the floor remained packed with dancers and surprise performances by Kevin’s best men and brothers and a friend named Steve. Even after I stayed an extra hour, the party continued full-swing and I was so sad to leave. Ariel and Kevin, I wish you a lifetime of happiness and thank you so much for allowing me to be part of your celebration!

Their Team
Florist: Flower Follies
Band: The Doug Segree Band
Caterer: Chesapeake Bay Beach Club
Gown designer/retailer: Brides by Demetrios
Bridesmaids dress designer/retailer: Love by Enzoani
Invitations: Cink Art, Ltd.
Videographer: Blue Sky Films
Wedding Cake: Peace of Cake
Hair Stylist: Wedding Tresses
Makeup: Amie Decker

Ashley + Josiah | MARRIED!| Mount Vernon Inn - Alexandria, VA

Heather Z — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 19:12:16 +0000

Little suggested that a party girl was buried inside Ashley, the quiet southern belle I first met many months ago about her September wedding. As we swapped stories and shared a mutual love of New Orleans, I contemplated how I could possibly manage to fit an entire king cake in my carry-on luggage to bring her a taste of home during one of my winter trips to the Big Easy. When I finally met Josiah at their engagement session, I found myself completely enamoured with their cheerful dispositions, playful interactions with each other and infectious smiles. Their wedding day was no different as the sun beamed in rays through the sides of their tented ceremony and butterflies flitted amongst the lillies they had placed in fleur-de-lis embellished urns along the tiered garden. The celebration continued over a spectacular dinner (Ashley and Josiah ensured that I treated like royalty and was served filet mignon! I can’t say enough about how wonderful it tasted! Thank you sooo much!) and cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake. When the dancing started, few eyes remained dry as Ashley’s father began their dance with a recording he had made for her as a little girl while he was stationed away from home serving in the military so she would not forget the sound of his voice. But those tears quickly returned to smiles and laughter as their friends and family tore up the dance floor until it was time for their get-away through a sparkler send off to the most adorable little car waiting to take them off to happily ever after.

Stephanie & Shawn | MARRIED! | Deek Creek Lake, MD

Heather Z — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:56:04 +0000

I woke to the sound of driving rain pummeling my skylight on the morning of Stephanie and Shawn’s wedding day. As I packed my gear into the car, I attempted to avoid a good soaking and prepared for the 3.5 hour drive up to Deep Creek Lake to meet their family and friends for their (supposed) outdoor ceremony on the water. On the road my windshield wipers remained on high, and little raised my spirits as I ventured further from Northern Virginia and houses (and gas stations as I unfortunately realized a little too late) became farther and faaaaaaarther apart. Yet I refused to give up hope that these two, destined to be together by a long history that started in friendship, would have the perfect wedding day. And low and behold, the heavens seemed to have understood the cosmic plan, because though almost 2/3 into my drive, the downpour turned to drizzle, then to overcast skies. And as I approached the outer edges of my journey rays of sun peaked through the giant puffy clouds and cast patches of golden glow onto the farmland around me. By the time I reached my destination, the weather couldn’t have been more ideal or the sky more blue.

I have to admit I have a bit of a soft spot for Stephanie and Shawn, a pair of professional portrait photographers out of Aberdeen, MD. When we first met, they drove all the way to Tyson’s Corner to sit with me in a coffee shop, where we proceeded to chat without a single lull (and with a lot of laughter) as they told me their story and we talked shop….for hours. Their engagement session in downtown Baltimore, where Shawn also proposed, proved to be equally entertaining. So I couldn’t wait for to start working on their DIY, carnival-inspired wedding, complete with vows on an iPad, breakfast-for-dinner, a kissing booth, photobooth AND a flame juggling groomsman. The outcome is my longest blog post to date since they elected to have a first look, which gave me a ton of time for portraits – one of their top priorities! I am so happy to show them (and you) the results!

Florist: the bridesmaids and Stephanie made their own bouquets and flowers for the centerpieces
DJ: iPod and a sound system
Caterer: Catering by the Champions
Wedding Planner/Day of Coordinator: Railey Mountain Lake Vacations, Lauren O’Brien
Gown designer/retailer: David’s Bridal
Bridesmaids dress designer/retailer: David’s BridalInvitations: made by Stephanie
Wedding Cake: wedding cupcakes, made by family members

Protected: J + C| MARRIED!| The Morrison House - Alexandria, VA Photographer

Heather Z — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:08:46 +0000

Sarah + Todd | MARRIED! | Fairmont Hotel & Epiphany Catholic Church - Georgetown, DC Photographer

Heather Z — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 19:18:16 +0000

Ceremony: Epiphany Catholic Church
Reception: Fairmont Hotel
Florist: Graceful Flowers by Patricia
DJ: Mike Blaufeld
Wedding Planner/Day of Coordinator: Jenny Burke, August Events & Promotions
Gown designer/retailer: Maggie Sottero, Rosalin’s Bridal
Bridesmaids dress designer/retailer: Dessy
Invitations: MyGatsby.com
Rehearsal dinner: Sequoia Restaurant
Lighting: John Farr Lighting Design
Draping: Fabrication events