This is just one of those times when a picture is worth 1000 words… nevermind writing about this amazing, magical wedding held in Derry, in the North of Ireland… I can’t even narrow down my selection of pictures for the slideshow:

http://www.izaca.com/albums/Justin-Yvonne/

I flew in Thursday, started “working” Friday as Justin and Yvonne were still getting a few details wrapped up (along with some pampering including Justin’s luxurious 2 hour shave!) and I thought it would be good to start shooting the day before.

Saturday was a whirlwind…Justin and Yvonne had a fantastic ceremony that was absolutely beautiful at St. Columba’s Church in Derry. The reception took place in Castle Grove Country House - a remote manor perfect for an intimate wedding. Among others, Justin delivered a legendary “groom’s toast” as is the tradition in Ireland for the groom to prepare a toast. After a live performance delivered by singer songwriter Drew De Four, a couple of hours of Irish tunes began. I definitely don’t think I’ve ever been offered so many drinks; and since I was staying the night, I eventually put down my camera and joined the good times… it was irresistible. The dance party went late into the night… very late into the night…

The next day, because I was staying with Justin and Yvonne, I persuaded them to get back into their wedding attire and to go out and do some more relaxed shooting in Justin’s backyard, which allowed me more time to be creative. Justin’s “backyard” is really a barley field that stretches into an inland bay. Not a minute after we get ourselves situated, it begins to rain - maybe I’m sadistic but Justin’s father runs over and pops an umbrella over me while I shoot like a mad woman a newlywed couple getting drenched. The result? Most definitely some of the best wedding photography I’ve ever produced; and in the end they loved it. Right? I hope. No I’m just joking, the pictures speak for themselves! Have a look!

In any case, here’s all my love to Justin and Yvonne for indulging in some of my whims and for being amazing friends. Oh, and a big shout out to Hugh, Justin’s father, who was remarkably kind to drive me to the airport the next day at 3am. Irish hospitality… amazing.

Love
Isabelle

Scott is a longtime friend of my brothers, so I covered the wedding in tandem with another photographer George Lyons. A wedding from the heart, original, pure, and loaded with meaning, symbols, and love - I really enjoyed the day. Not to mention it was in NYC, a special treat for me! The ceremony took place in Central Park - although the central park police almost caused a rucus by claiming they hadn’t recieved the permit for the wedding… I love how things - always supposedly perfect and planned - end up at the last minute. Something always happens!!!  Either way, things got cleared up, and the ceremony was beautiful. Since my family was there I got some quality time with my baby nephew Dylan, and my family. They got to see me in action

Since Scott and Ella are practically family, I didn’t do my usual routine of Collage - Slideshow - Album, and instead just did a simplified Story Slideshow highlighting the moments of their day. Here  it is:

http://www.izaca.com/albums/Scott-Ella/

ENJOY!

Love

Isabelle

It’s been a while since I’ve taken the metro to a photography gig, in Saturday rush hour no less, so when I got on the metro I had at least 5 people ask me “Are you a musician?” I looked down at my long gear bag thinking, “Well, yes, but that’s not what this is…”

Ben and Linda had the fair luck of a wedding date on the same weekend as the Washington D.C. Cherry Blosson Festival, so the crowds were thick, all pouring into downtown. I took mental note to tell them our beloved metro wedding pictures weren’t going to pan out, and that we would probably stay above ground.

Arriving at the O Mansion I got down to work right away with Ben and Linda’s prep pictures. I still got lost several times going back and forth between their rooms as the Mansion is full of hidden doorways, dis-jointed hallways, stairs that only go to one floor, etc. Once I memorized the specific path between the two I was all right I really loved finding a mirror or bookcase that opened onto another room!

Once prepped, we jetted in DC cab style to the National Building Museum, a gorgeous hall full of thick marble columns and archways galore. Apparently out of at least 300 some days of the year it is empty without a soul, but today was not one of those days. Remember the Cherry Blossom Festival part? But on the third floor we found some peace and I got THE most gorgeous pictures of the two, bathed in this deep sunlight with glowing marble all around them. Yowzer -

Back to the O Mansion, the ceremony was one of the most moving and original I’ve ever seen, written entirely by the bride and groom with help from some friends. To say it was completely genuine would be understating it. My favorite line from their vows was “I, Ben/Linda, promise to nurture your dreams…”

The rest of the night I spent eating delicious desserts, photographing the quirky antiques of the mansion of which there are an infinite amount, and taking pictures of guests. The antiques include: a signed guitar from Bob Dylan; fat ladies in tiger costumes; a human-sized rabbit dressed as a fool with a hat and cane sitting in a chair; a wall-sized frosted-angel mirror in the elevator; a viking chair with tusks as arm rests, etc, etc.

The theme of things being hidden and secret crept into my photography. So once you see the album design, I challenge you all to find at least three pictures where there is actually more than one thing being shown…

Overall, I can safely say Ben and Linda’s pretty alternative wedding absolutely rocked, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself morning to night, and it was totally awesome getting to know such an amazing couple. Hey Ben and Linda… can you help me plan my wedding?

Enjoy the collage!

Isabelle

***Update*** Here is the album!

http://www.izaca.com/albums/Ben-Linda/

My eyes opened on the not-so-fair day of Febuary 14th to a window full of snowflakes. Ohhh yes, I thought, this is going to be perfect. I could already see the snow-globe snow-white picture I was going to take in the park of Jennifer and Gary in my minds eye. Little did I know, this was not to be the story of their day… haha. Jennifer actually had a small trip to the emergency room in the morning before I got there from a piece of food that got stuck in her throat (wish I could have documented the hospital visit!). Though stressful, I think that this was a good omen - a big obstacle she overcame on her wedding day, one final test she passed beautifully… hahaha. Luckily she’s got a solid head on her shoulders and the trip barely fazed her. She picked up her day without a missing a beat when she came back - hair, makeup, limo, church, dress (oh, quick shave!), ceremony, family pictures, too-cold-for-pictures-anyway-plus-the-roof-blew-snow-that-buried-the-videographer pictures, limo again (jello shots…), reception… then things started slowing down… dinner and awesome dancing. Jennifer and Gary were on the whole extremely in love and extremely relaxed, a combination I relish in my bride and groom. The pictures came out absolutely beeeeeautiful. Here’s a collage to tie everyone over before the album design goes up. Leave me some comments or drop me a line with any questions. Xoxo, Isabelle

Page 2…

***Update*** Here is the album!

http://www.izaca.com/albums/Proctor-Mauslof/

Garwing and David had a beautiful wedding day that rose with the sun and set with an amazing feast. Two University of Maryland graduates, we went back to the campus to revisit memory lane. The bridal party was one of the most relaxed I’ve ever worked with – we had plenty of fun jumping around! The church was beautiful, with a deep blue stained glass that had a magical effect over the room. All in all, Garwing was a beautiful bride, and the couple couldn’t look more gorgeous together. Thank you for having me as your photographer!

Here is a collage from the day: