Dumbarton House Wedding Works in Unexpected Ways During the Summer

Washington, DC, Wedding Venues, Weddings

couple holds hands at Georgetown Washington DC wedding

When what matters most to a couple aligns with how I prioritize capturing their day, the result is magic. The couple wanted a wedding photographer who would photograph the moments both big and small so they could remember them forever. They knew what they wanted for their day and really trusted me throughout the process. See the beautiful results of this perfect match at a Dumbarton House wedding!

couple walks at Georgetown Washington DC wedding

couple embraces under wedding veil at Dumbarton House wedding

A Dumbarton House Wedding Day in Photographic Memories

couple laughs at tented wedding reception

Marissa and John are literally two of the sweetest people I have ever met. They are so genuinely happy, very easy going, and clearly in love! These two trusted their vendor team to convey their wedding vision and for me to capture the day honestly.

Their desires were to remember moments shared with their people, the beauty of the venue, and the experience of their first look and the ceremony itself. I love it when my own favorite moments match the favorites of the couple.

couple poses with pet dog at garden wedding

groomsman walks dog down aisle at garden wedding

Another shared love was for their Golden Retriever pup, Scout. As the couple describes her, “she is very sassy but extremely sweet.” She joined their wedding day by walking down the aisle during the ceremony and also tagged along for their sunset Lincoln Memorial engagement photos.

couple pets dog at sunset Lincoln Memorial engagement session

couple holds dog at sunset Lincoln Memorial engagement session

couple poses with dog at Georgetown engagement session

Doing What Matters Most to You in your Wedding Day Timeline

bride poses with bridesmaids in matching PJ's

couple poses with wedding party at garden wedding

Those who were present on the day were Marissa and John’s top priority. They wanted to remember who was there and that even though family was helping out, to keep them from doing too much on the day!

The most obvious expression of their love for people was the matching wedding party number of eight each. Having a large wedding party can be stressful, but their chosen people were all on time, flexible, and just so happy to be there to support their friends getting married. It was clear that these two had found their tribe, together.

groom poses with groomsmen at Dumbarton House wedding

bride poses with bridesmaids at Dumbarton House wedding

Other involvement from the family included several DIY wedding elements at this Dumbarton House wedding. The combined efforts of the bride’s mom, grandmas and aunt made all of the desserts which were incredibly beautiful and tasted amazing. All of the decorations and some of the smaller floral arrangements were also handmade. It was heartwarming how involved Marissa’s family was in handcrafting the details.

wedding details and accessories for summer wedding

Other touches included the use of dried florals in their DIY wedding table numbers and a signature drink sign with illustrations. The dessert table fit perfectly with the aesthetic, tying in with the bride’s accessories. Marissa’s blue shoes, their colorful vow books and floral invites all linked to their decor and the whimsical feeling of the day.

hand drawn signature wedding cocktail menu

Embracing the Summer Vibes of a Georgetown Dumbarton House Wedding

couple exchanges vows at Dumbarton House wedding

couple walks along garden at Dumbarton House wedding

couple kisses in garden at Dumbarton House wedding

These two were going for a garden party wedding vibe and a Dumbarton House wedding provided just that. We took photos within the property (there are lots of options!) as well as the surrounding area focusing on garden feels, greenery, and ivy. This Washington, DC wedding venue positioned in Georgetown perfectly fit their gathering of a little over 150 guests.

outdoor cocktail hour at Dumbarton House wedding

Staying cool during a summer wedding can be tricky, so the ceremony was held in the evening outdoors while the reception took place in the Lower Courtyard under a clear tent. The tented area also serves as the rain backup location so the garden can be experienced even in bad weather. I enjoy how well the clear tent photographs and provides more creative options! Lemonade and water were provided during the ceremony and cocktail hour mostly took place in the shade.

blue and gold table settings at tent garden wedding

See all the details of what a Dumbarton House Wedding has to offer!

Dumbarton House actually had been on the couple’s list for years after John passed the site on a daily basis while living nearby. As the bride explained, “Sometimes we would walk by and see weddings or events taking place there and we always thought, ‘Wow, that’s beautiful.’”

couple kisses in front of venue at Dumbarton House wedding

couple walks in garden at Dumbarton House wedding

couple embraces at Dumbarton House wedding

They loved the beautiful gardens and went for a garden party wedding decor style. Marissa explained, “I grew up having tea parties in the garden at my grandma’s farm all the time and I wanted to recreate that.” The wedding colors were cream, light pink/peach, dusty blue and green. According to the bride, she chose these “soft but not boring colors because they are all my favorite colors and they just scream June wedding.”

guests watch ceremony at Dumbarton House wedding

blue and gold table settings at Dumbarton House wedding

DIY floral wedding table number settings

My photography style combined with their garden wedding theme against the backdrop of this historic setting became just the right mixture for the day.