How To Get Elegant and Stylish Pictures For Your Small Intimate Wedding in Washington DC, VA, MD

Not everyone wants to have a big traditional church wedding.  It's becoming more common for couples to opt for a justice of the peace, courthouse wedding, or civil ceremony for various reasons, including a desire for simplicity, dreams of an intimate gathering, financial concerns, or family logistics.  This sometimes falls under the category of a small intimate wedding.  For most ceremonies, you would go to city hall or courthouse.  For example, applications for marriage licenses in Washington DC have increased significantly in the last year.  Washington DC Superior Court recently added a second chapel to handle the influx of couples seeking a courthouse marriage ceremony.  You can really have your civil ceremony anywhere permitted, such as a public garden or public park.

As a photographer, generally I embrace any setting for a wedding.  And while ordinarily not the most romantic setting, I would tell couples getting married at a courthouse or at a justice of the peace office, and whether eloping or planned, that wonderful pictures can be captured.  Here are a few tips:

• Don't minimize your wedding expectations because it's in this setting.  Expect great pictures from your photographer.
• Enjoy yourself at a nice restaurant or any other location you choose to have your intimate gathering for a celebratory drink and meal.  A nice restaurant background and location, with good lighting, with folks laughing and smiling, can enhance photos.
• Your photographer should have it in mind to seek out incorporating architecturally interesting or stylish backgrounds that can bring unique and creative elements to your pictures.  Buildings, windows, stairs may all provide endless possibilities for good pictures.  Creative thinking and good staging is key.
• Don't limit yourself to just locations next to or near where the vows took place.   Think about places that are a short drive or walk away, but would be ideal for portraits.
• Try to share your wedding day with friends and family, get great pictures with your loved ones, and have a fun, memorable wedding day!!!

Contact me and see more at

www.rodneymickle.com