DC War Memorial Wedding | Washington DC

WEDDING

Ben & Molly chose a DC War Memorial Wedding.  With family and friends flying in from around the country the two wanted their guest to enjoy many of the same things they love about Washington DC.
Keep reading for more about Ben & Molly’s DC War Memorial Wedding AND three bonus wedding day tips!
Wedding Details for DC War Memorial Wedding by Erin Tetterton PhotographyWedding Details for DC War Memorial Wedding by Erin Tetterton Photography

Being financially responsible with their wedding expenses was as important to Ben & Molly as was making sure they invested in the wedding day services that would make their wedding one they and their family would enjoy looking back on for years to come.

One of the first choices Ben & Molly made that not only was a wise wedding budget decision, but also one that made their day particularly special and their own was choosing to get ready together in their own Washington DC town home along with their families.

Wedding Details for DC War Memorial Wedding by Erin Tetterton Photography
Wedding Details for DC War Memorial Wedding by Erin Tetterton Photography
Wedding Details for DC War Memorial Wedding by Erin Tetterton Photography

Molly chose a lace BHLDN gown with a simple pink sash for their DC War Memorial Wedding.

Wedding Details for DC War Memorial Wedding by Erin Tetterton Photography
Wedding Details for DC War Memorial Wedding by Erin Tetterton Photography

The two shared their First Look before their wedding at their own home.  Molly exited the master suite while Ben waited for her in the hallway.

First Look Wedding before Washington DC Wedding by Erin Tetterton Photography

The look on the groom’s face during this first look is nothing short of priceless.

First Look Wedding before Washington DC Wedding by Erin Tetterton Photography
First Look Wedding before Washington DC Wedding by Erin Tetterton Photography
First Look Wedding before Washington DC Wedding by Erin Tetterton Photography

Washington DC Wedding Tip #1:

Ben & Molly also chose to hire a driver for their wedding day.  Hiring a car is one of my favorite Washington DC wedding day tips!  Transportation in the district can be tricky, but hiring a car can make it simple & stress free.  AND also make it easy to travel between many of Washington DC’s most iconic wedding portrait locations.

Transportation for Washington DC Wedding
Transportation for Washington DC Wedding

We arrived at the DC War Memorial for their spring wedding on the most beautiful spring day.

Washington DC War Memorial Wedding by Erin Tetterton Photography

Ben & Molly chose a friend to play violin inside the War Memorial before and after their wedding.  The sound of the violin carried beautifully inside the DC War Memorial and was the perfect simple touch for their Washington DC Wedding.

Washington DC War Memorial Wedding by Erin Tetterton Photography

Washington DC Wedding Tip #2:
Another of my favorite wedding budget tips is for the groom to buy a suit instead of renting one for the wedding day.  Firstly it’s the absolutele best way to guarantee you know how well your suit will fit on your wedding day, but depending on the suit you choose, it may also be comparable and price AND the best part is you’ll be able remember back to your wedding day every time you wear it.

Washington DC War Memorial Wedding by Erin Tetterton Photography

Ben chose a timeless grey suit for their wedding day at DC War Memorial and paired it with a light blue tie and calla lily boutonnière.

Washington DC War Memorial Wedding by Erin Tetterton Photography
Washington DC War Memorial Wedding by Erin Tetterton Photography

As wedding guests arrived to the DC War Memorial wedding, they sat in the shade and enjoyed this beautiful spring day in Washington DC.

Wedding Guest Style at Washington DC War Memorial Wedding
Wedding Guest Style at Washington DC War Memorial Wedding
Wedding Guest Style at Washington DC War Memorial Wedding

Ben an Molly joined their family and friends inside the DC War Memorial for their wedding while the violinist played.

Wedding Ceremony in DC War Memorial by Erin Tetterton Photography

The maximum capacity for a wedding inside the DC War Memorial is 200 guests.
Instead of having chairs, Ben & Molly chose to have all 110 of their guests stand inside the memorial to create an aisle for them.

Wedding Ceremony in DC War Memorial by Erin Tetterton Photography
Wedding Ceremony in DC War Memorial by Erin Tetterton Photography
Wedding Ceremony in DC War Memorial by Erin Tetterton Photography
Wedding Ceremony in DC War Memorial by Erin Tetterton Photography
Wedding Ceremony in DC War Memorial by Erin Tetterton Photography
Wedding Ceremony in DC War Memorial by Erin Tetterton Photography
Wedding Ceremony in DC War Memorial by Erin Tetterton Photography

Wedding Ceremony in DC War Memorial by Erin Tetterton Photography
Wedding Ceremony in DC War Memorial by Erin Tetterton Photography
Wedding Ceremony in DC War Memorial by Erin Tetterton Photography

Washington DC Wedding Tips #3: Make your wedding truly your own.
One of the most inspirational things Ben & Molly did was choose to mutually change their last name instead of taking or keeping either of their existing last names.  Both Ben & Molly are avid hikers.  When hiking trail markers are often created by piling rocks to create a structure.  The rock structures marking a trail are refereed to as Cairns.  By marrying each other they wanted to celebrate the fact that they will always be there for each other to mark the way.  Ben & Molly chose a less traditional spelling of the word.
Please meet Mr. & Mrs. Kairn.
Wedding Ceremony in DC War Memorial by Erin Tetterton Photography
Wedding Ceremony in DC War Memorial by Erin Tetterton Photography
Family Portraits at DC War Memorial Wedding
Family Portraits at DC War Memorial Wedding

After their DC War Memorial Wedding, Ben & Molly chose several favorite iconic Washington DC locations for their portraits.  Naturally they started at the DC War Memorial.DC War Memorial Wedding Portraits by Erin Tetterton Photography

DC War Memorial Wedding Portraits by Erin Tetterton Photography
DC War Memorial Wedding Portraits by Erin Tetterton Photography
DC War Memorial Wedding Portraits by Erin Tetterton Photography
DC War Memorial Wedding Portraits by Erin Tetterton Photography

While they were doing portraits, Ben & Molly arranged for their guests to go on a one hour Bus Tour with Big Bus Tour company.  The tour of Washington DC served as their wedding favor and doubled as transportation for their guests from DC War Memorial to Agora for their reception.

Wedding Favor Big Bus Tour of Washington DC
Wedding Favor Big Bus Tour of Washington DC

After doing portraits at the DC War Memorial, we headed over to Reagan Building and the Federal Triangle metro stop.

Wedding Photography at Federal Triangle Metro in Washington DC by Erin Tetterton PhotographyWedding Photography at Federal Triangle Metro in Washington DC by Erin Tetterton Photography

We caught a little glimpse of the capital down Pennsylvania Avenue.

Brida and Groom with Capital in Wedding photos
Brida and Groom with Capital in Wedding photos

And chose Union Station as our final wedding portrait stop.

Wedding Photography at Union Station in Washington DC
Wedding Photography at Union Station in Washington DC
Wedding Photography at Union Station in Washington DC

After doing portraits at Union Station in DC, we jumped back in Ben & Molly’s hired car and headed over to Agora for their wedding reception.

Both Ben & Molly are vegetarians, so naturally they wanted to create a vegetarian wedding reception with food not only they would enjoy, but also their guests.

Agora served up a varied of Vegetarian and Vegan dishes that were absolutely delicious.  Guests were served and seated family style.

Vegetarian Wedding Reception at Agora in Washington DC
Vegetarian Wedding Reception at Agora in Washington DC

To further represent their choice of Kairns as they mutual new last name, Ben & Molly used rocks as they seating chart.
Vegetarian Wedding Reception at Agora in Washington DC

Each table was then able to create their own Cairn.
Vegetarian Wedding Reception at Agora in Washington DC

Ben & Molly chose photographs that best represented their time dating and engaged to use as table numbers.

Vegetarian Wedding Reception at Agora in Washington DC
Vegetarian Wedding Reception at Agora in Washington DC
Vegetarian Wedding Reception at Agora in Washington DC

Ben & Molly also chose to invest in dance lessons as part of their wedding budget.  Their first dance was both beautiful and entertaining.

First Dance at Washington DC Wedding
First Dance at Washington DC Wedding
First Dance at Washington DC Wedding

Ben & Molly left their wedding reception at Agora beneath an arch of sparklers held by friends and family.

Sparkler Exit in Washington DC
Sparkler Exit in Washington DC

Want to see more weddings photographed by Erin Tetterton Photography?  Check out this Carlyle House Alexandria Wedding or this wedding at 48 Fields in Leesburg, VA.

Wedding Venue: DC War Memorial
Reception Venue: Agora Restaurant
Dress: BHLDN
Hair: Glam Squad
Wedding Flowers: Greenworks DC
Coordinator: Laura Runnels
Erin Tetterton is a Fine Art Wedding Photographer based in Alexandria, Va and serving couples with classic taste in the greater Washington DC area.  Erin Tetterton Photography takes a limited number of Engagement & Wedding Photography commissions each year. If you are looking for an engagement or wedding photographer in Washington DC, check out Erin Tetterton’s portfolio and get in touch today.

If you are looking for an incredible Wedding Photographer, Newborn Photographer, or Portrait Photographer in the greater North East Florida area, including Jacksonville, Orange Park, Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, and St. Augustine, then I'm looking forward to chatting with you and tailoring a session to preserve your own family's memories for generations to come.

Hi I’m Erin and the artist behind Erin Tetterton Photography. Welcome to the photographic THE ARCHIVES.

I believe our lives are divine orchestrations. We each have a story and I believe they are stories that deserve to be told and told well. From Weddings, to Babies, and to celebrate the years we are just glad to have behind us. The photos I take are the images that tell the story. Your own history. Your family’s history. ….and the history of those generations that are to come.

My goal is to create authentic, timeless imagery that accurately depicts each phase of your life. Those phases will be different, unique, and beautiful. Inject humor! Do them in a place you love!


Meet
the 
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Meet the Artist

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