As a wedding photographer, there is always excitement and anticipation when arriving at a new venue for a wedding. Oxon Hill Manor in Oxon Hill, Maryland is no exception. Located just outside of Washington D.C., this stunning venue offers a blend of history and elegance for any wedding. Upon arriving at the manor, the first thing that catches your eye is the grand entrance. The exterior of the manor features a colonial-style mansion with towering columns. It's the perfect backdrop for bridal party photos or a grand entrance for the bride and groom. As you enter the manor, you are greeted by a spacious foyer with high ceilings and a beautiful staircase, ideal for capturing intimate moments between the couple. The interior of the manor is adorned with antique furnishings and artwork, adding to the historic charm of the venue. One of the highlights of the manor is the beautiful outdoor spaces. The manicured gardens provide a picturesque setting for outdoor ceremonies or cocktail hour. The terrace, with its views of the Potomac River, is the perfect spot for a romantic outdoor reception.
The upstairs bridal suite is a great space for the bride and her bridesmaids to get ready in, with plenty of natural light and ample room for hair and makeup stations. The bridal suite at Oxon Hill manor is literally my favorite I've ever shot in.
No matter the weather or time of year - having your ceremony in the gardens at Oxon Hill Manor is a must! For both weddings the sun was shining, the sky was blue with a bit of clouds, making for perfect wedding day conditions.
After the ceremony at the main garden of Oxon Hill Manor, it was time to capture some beautiful family portraits and portraits of the bride and groom. The stunning venue provided us with plenty of options for locations to take these photographs. One of our first stops was the manicured gardens near the ceremony space. Next, we made our way to the grand entrance of the mansion. Iman's cathedral length veil added a touch of elegance to these photographs and flowed beautifully in the breeze.
As the sun began to set, an outdoor tent was transformed into a magical space, with twinkling lights and elegant décor for the reception. I always try to capture those details before the space is filled with guests.
As a wedding photographer, one of my favorite times of the day to take photographs is during sunset. The soft, golden light at this time of day creates a beautiful and romantic atmosphere for wedding photographs. That's why I always recommend to my brides that they set aside some time in their wedding day schedule for sunset photographs of just the bride and groom. Whether you are walking hand-in-hand through a beautiful garden, or simply gazing into each other's eyes, sunset photographs are the perfect way to capture the love and emotion of your wedding day. In addition to the romantic atmosphere, sunset photographs also offer some technical advantages. The soft, diffuse light at this time of day is very flattering for portraits, and the warm tones in the sky can add a beautiful and romantic touch to your photographs.
After our sunset portraits, we returned for one of the highlights of the reception - the father daughter dance and the bouquet toss. Iman's father danced with her after making such a warming speech! Followed by the fun and energetic tradition that always brings a smile to everyone's face - Iman tossed her bouquet into a sea of eager single ladies, as I was ready with my camera to capture the excitement and anticipation. Using flash helped to create amazing lighting for this event, even as the sun went down and the reception moved into the evening. I love to end the night with a large group photo of everyone!
