From the minute she started planning after Tim proposed, Cate’s vision for their wedding day was always to create an unforgettable experience for their guests. From the purple and white flowers, modern glamour and starburst motifs to the cookie and wine bar, five-course dinner and dessert lounge, Cate and Tim created a wedding at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C. that reflected their personalities and relationship perfectly.
On a gorgeous fall evening just as the sun was setting over the nation’s capital, friends and loved ones filled the St. Regis’ Astor Terrace in an outpouring of love and support, ecstatic to witness the joining of these two lives. With tears in their eyes and shaky voices, they exchanged personal vows filled with honesty, passion and hope, and promised to love each other through anything.
Following their vows, Cate’s brother read aloud the poem ”All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten“ by Robert Fulghum. While it drew a few chuckles on the surface, if you stop to think about it, it sums up how to have a happy marriage quite nicely.
Most of what I really need
to know about how to live
And what to do and how to be
I learned in kindergarten.
Wisdom was not at the top
of the graduate school mountain,
But there in the sandpile at Sunday school.
These are the things I learned:
Share everything.
Play fair.
Don’t hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don’t take things that aren’t yours.
Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life -
Learn some and think some
And draw and paint and sing and dance
And play and work everyday some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world,
Watch out for traffic,
hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.
Cate and Tim, thank you for being so amazing. I am incredibly lucky to have had you as clients…and to now call you friends. Your love for each other blows me away and I hope you are always as smitten with one another as you were on this day. I appreciate you welcoming me into your lives and for allowing me to document how fiercely you love. Each other. Your boys. And your family and friends. May you always: share everything; play fair; Say you’re sorry when you hurt each other; live a balanced life; and most importantly, hold hands and stick together. I love you! OXOX ~ Renee
Wedding vendors:
Ceremony: St. Regis, Washington, D.C.
Reception: Adour, St. Regis, Washington, D.C.
Wedding Coordinator: Thy Parra for Evoke
Videographer: InkSpot Crow Films
Makeup: Dana Reason Evans for Dana L. Skincare & Cosmetics
Flowers: Amaryllis Designs
Officiant: Jabari Douglas
Musicians: Sons of Pitch, George Washington University
Lighting: Frost Lighting
Sound: Elmostafa Abdelmoumen for PSAV
Cookie & Wine Pairing: Cookies & Corks by Cookie Zen
Rentals: Party Rental Ltd. & Wildflower Linens
Invitations & Stationery: Haute Papier
Gown: Jorge Manuel, designer
Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Be warned. This one is long and is sensory overload!
The
St. Regis lobby was a photographer’s dream – so many details and architectural elements — and this was before we even got to the wedding!
Their reception – a five course culinary experience – was held at Adour, the St. Regis’ luxurious French restaurant – which also happens to be where Tim proposed to Cate!
Cate’s gorgeous champagne silk gown was created by the uber-talented Jorge Manuel.
One of my favorite ring shots. Ever. (And the best part — getting to eat Adour’s famous macaroons afterward!)
Cate’s morning began at
Andre Chreky, just around the corner from The St. Regis.
Cate had help getting in her gown from her mother, Man of Honor Ray and dear friend Dana.
We had to utilize the lobby for a few portraits of the beautiful bride! You are fierce! Seriously. F-I-E-R-C-E!!
Meanwhile, Tim was across the street at The Hilton…
Cate had these fun cufflinks made just for Tim to wear on their wedding day….
A happy groom…looking rather stately…how appropriate for the Capital City…
We walked over to
Lafayette Park, just across from the White House, for their first look. Both bride and groom were a little bit anxious just before seeing one another….
but nerves quickly gave way to utter happiness and delight…
Such a sweet, tender moment for these two.
Cate chose this time to give Tim his wedding gift – a gorgeous Cartier watch.
I love this. To pieces. These next few images just make me happy.
Since they both work in the political arena, it was only fitting to get a few images with the White House in the background.
This one makes me swoon! I think I’m as smitten with them as they are with one another!
Love-love-L-O-V-E this!
A quick walk back to the hotel…
…and it was nearly ceremony time!
The girls at
Evoke knocked the ceremony details out of the park!
A purple chandelier and chair ruffles? Oh yes, please!
Guests were greeted with “Cookies and Cork,” a cookie and wine tasting as they waited for the ceremony to begin.
The amazingly talented group
Sons of Pitch, from George Washington University, entertained guests and provided the ceremony music.
A last minute detail and words of support…
“Marry Me”…
I love the look of complete joy that both Cate and Tim had as she walked in…
Love. This.
The look of love. This one image kind of says it all.
Sealed with a kiss…forevermore…
As guests showered the happy couple, Sons of Pitch broke into song: “Good Life” by OneRepublic
It’s going to be a “Good Life” indeed for Cate and Tim!
Guests celebrated with a cocktail party as formal portraits were made…
Cate, Tim and his two
adorable boys. Are they not THE. cutest. things. EVER?!?!
It’s easy to see how this is such a beautiful couple…it’s in the genes!
Cate’s mom and grandfather. Love. Him!
The bridal party. They should be gracing the pages of Vanity Fair!
Cate and her coordinator outdid themselves with the reception details. Starting with the stacked cheese wheel that doubled as the seating “chart.” Guests were instructed to find and pull the spreader with their name to find their table number. Ingenious!
Loved their modern invitations and creative guest book — a cookbook for the couple’s new kitchen!
Get ready for some serious eye candy! The reception details were a-may-zing – from the beautiful white florals in modern black and rhinestone-trimmed vases to the wine bottle table numbers! Stunning. Seriously.
I love the look on their faces when they walked in and saw the reception for the first time!
For our foodies Cate and Tim, no celebration would be complete without a celebratory meal and wine shared with friends and family. The culinary staff at Adour are beyond amazing!
Cate and Tim had a chance to thank their guests between courses.
Toasts and words of love and support were given between courses as well. You can tell this is a special couple and that they are loved dearly!
Following dinner, guests were invited into the dessert lounge…which was as tasty as it was stunningly beautiful!
Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate (not to mention macaroons and fruit tarts!)? Oh yes! It’s like heaven. In a sugar vat!
I think Tim approved!
The happy couple’s first dance…so. sweet.
I. heart. this.
Dancing with dad…and priceless reactions…
More time to mingle….
There is nothing like the love between a Mom and her daughter….
I love this family photo — Dad was having a blast!
Words of love and gratitude from the groom and his bride before cutting the cake….
And speaking of cake – how awesome is this cake — complete with chocolate capitol building topper….
Ending the evening with a kiss….
Many, MANY thanks to my dear friend Courtney Hathaway who spent the week with me in D.C., helping me prepare for and photograph this wedding! I couldn’t have asked for a better second photographer and companion for this wedding! I love you bunches!
If those images weren’t enough for you, watch this AMAZING film by InkSpot Crow Films….but have your tissues handy. You’re going to need them!
Raleigh photographer Renee Sprink captures the love and lives of people in North Carolina and destinations worldwide.
PLANNING A WEDDING? Need a new portrait? Contact Renee | Friend Renee on Facebook and become a fan of Renee Sprink Photography | Follow Renee on Twitter.
xo
by Renee
show hide 1 comment