Hullo everyone. S’me again.
Today’s post is particularly special to me, and here’s why: Rich (or Uncle Dick as we like to call him) is my husband’s uncle, which is indeed special enough. But in addition, he is special to Fresh Ivey because several years ago, he was the first (and only) investor in a fledgling photography business held together by nothing but an old Canon Rebel and a girl with a dream. So when Uncle Dick met a lovely lady named Janice and the two decided give love a chance and tie the knot, it was with great pleasure that I accepted their invitation to attend and photograph their wedding this last December in Virginia.
So last month, Jason and I packed up and flew out there for the intimate gathering. It was so nice to be on the “other” side of the wedding festivities for a change; not as the photographer only, but a participant as well. Grandma made us her fried chicken and homemade holiday candies, and we got to sit around the table at night listening to Uncle Bob tell his stories. We slept in, ran errands, stuffed ourselves, and simply spent time with family.
Here is a picture of Dick with his mother (Grandma, to us). And here is Uncle Bob with his wife, Aunt Irene. Don’t they make a lovely couple??
It’s hard for me to show the images of this trip in total chronological order. It was their wedding, of course, but such a fun trip for me in many ways. So I’ll tell the story the way I want to, ’cause guess what–it’s my blog, haha! And I’d like to show my favorite picture first:
At the Jefferson Memorial with the Washington Memorial in the background? Nowhere else, man. Downtown DC rocks. ‘Nuff said. And Janice was awesome for braving the cold!
The ceremony itself was sweet and small, held at the fabulous 2941 Restaurant in Falls Church, Virginia, just outside of DC.
And there's our Aunt Ann. She's hiding and will probably hate me for saying this, but she's a rock star viola player. Yep.
After the ceremony, Dick and Janice stepped outside to 2941's amazing grounds featuring koi ponds and a Dali sculpture. Here's Janice's mother admiring it all.
Ceremony was followed by a private reception at the same venue where we drank fine wines and ate a delectable spread of cheeses, then dined on a seasonal menu featuring steak, butternut squash ravioli, and chicken. Yum.
Here's the bride in a beautiful, relaxed, and candid moment.
And this guy? This one's mine. 
One of the highlights of the trip was heading into DC with the newly married couple, and of course we had to stop downtown for some photographs. I am not gushing nor exaggerating when I say that DC at sunset is beyond beautiful, and there were so many photos of this couple basking in the warm glow of the waning light with this city as the backdrop that it was very difficult to select my favorites. But in the end, it’s not just about the scenery–the chemistry between two people is indispensable. It was awesome to see Dick and Janice giddy as kids, kissing and dancing in the street while cars whizzed by, honking their congratulations.
