My friends Miri + Patrick had the most colorful, joyous, garden-themed wedding celebration at Franklin Park Conservatory! Rescheduled from 2021, we were all ridiculously excited for this to happen! And honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever photographed a wedding like this one. It was a unique celebration that reflected the couple in every way.
First of all, MIRI MADE THEIR ATTIRE. From the dress, to the cape to the headpiece! And as a friend, I got to watch some of the progression along the way. It was truly incredible! When I arrived at their Clintonville house that Sunday in mid-October, after hair and makeup was complete, we staged some sewing shots too, by Miri’s request.
Once both sides were dressed, I staged Miri and Patrick’s first look in their backyard, in their garden and against the grape vines. Together they cut some vines for their ceremony’s handfasting later that day. We also brought Patrick’s bike into some portraits, and stopped for some portraits down the street near Glen Echo, before heading to their venue, Franklin Park Conservatory.
Their venue couldn’t have been a more perfect fit for their garden-themed wedding! We explored the various greenhouses and spaces for portraits before meeting up with their rainbow wedding party on the West Terrace. There are few things that brighten my soul more than a rainbow wedding party!! Their ketubah signing followed, and then it was time for their ceremony.
At their ceremony in the Palm House, Miri and Patrick planted a tree together, and each wedding party member had a role: Patrick’s side added dirt, and Miri’s side added water. What a beautiful and participatory ritual that will grow with them forever! Their ceremony then culminated in a handfasting using the grape vine they cut from their backyard earlier that day.
And then it was time to celebrate! Miri changed into a similar but more comfortable dress as cocktail hour took place at twilight on the West Terrace, followed by a grand entrance, toasts, a slideshow, and a choreographed first dance. We ended the night with some epic shots outside against the colorful lights of the Palm House. A more unique and colorful day could not be imagined. Mazel Tov!!
