No two wedding days are alike. That is particularly true as I present my favorite images from Tom and Allie’s District Winery Wedding. I served as Gracie Withers Photography’s second shooter fo their special day. And it was one of the easiest wedding days I had worked in a long time! Tom and Allie wanted little fuss when it came to their pre-ceremony photos. Which meant I didn’t meet the happy couple until I arrived at their Saint Peter’s Church on Capitol Hill wedding ceremony.
But once I arrived at the church, I fell in love with the spot they picked to say “I do.” Saint Peter’s Church had jaw-dropping high ceilings and a grandiose pipe organ over the front door. Guests piled into the sanctuary, with their eyes immediately drawn upward in awe. The ceremony itself was beautiful. Allie entered the church in a simple, satin ballgown wedding dress and a long, cathedral-length veil with white petal details. Tom wore a crisp white dinner jacket over his formal tuxedo — a look I hope more grooms consider for their special day! It really set the tone for the formality of the event without needing much more detail.
After leaving the church, we rode the bus to Barrel in Eastern Market, where Tom and Allie had their first date. They shared a quick drink to celebrate becoming newlyweds before continuing on to their reception venue.
Their reception took place at District Winery in Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. When we arrived, we grabbed a few “just married” portraits of the happy couple inside the winery’s production facility. The large wine-soaked barrels provided such a unique backdrop to their wedding photos. Afterward, we walked outside to the river side of the winery, where their bridal party showed up for portraits.
Their wedding party wore all black, with the girls in satin, black bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen wearing dark, classic tuxes. Tom and Allie popped in their white attire from their friends’ timeless outfits. Afterward, Tom and Allie were eager to join their guests for cocktail hour, where original blends of wine were served at District Winery’s rooftop event space.
Meanwhile, we snuck into their dinner space to see the decor. A whimsical greenery arrangement hung from the ceiling while thick white candles and ivory roses were laid on long, rectangle wedding reception tables. There was something so simple yet elegant about the theme. It complemented District Winery’s stunning rooftop space and large, modern windows so well.
When the reception started and the couple had some dinner, we offered to take a few sunset portraits on the roof. I was giddy when Gracie asked if I would go down to the river side of the building to shoot an impressive wide angle of the couple ontop of their wedding venue. The end result is so fun! I love that you can see Tom and Allie beaming next to the District Winery sign.
Once photos ended, the party quickly got started. Their guests were abuzz with celebratory energy, and ready to hit the dance floor. I took a short break with the other vendors to eat, and had one of the best wedding meals I’ve ever tasted! District Winery’s catering staff served us hot Nashville fried chicken, prime rib, potatoes, mac-n-cheese, and crisp brussel sprouts. If you consider planning a District Winery wedding for no other reason, choose it for the food! *chef’s kiss*
I’m so proud to share these photos on the blog today. So different from my usual romantic, whimsical style wedding, Tom and Allie’s District Winery wedding added such a tasteful, simplistic flair to an otherwise industrial DC wedding venue. I hope you enjoy!
Looking for more weddings like this? Check out other favorites I’ve captured at Washington, D.C. wedding venues:
- Sean & Caroline’s Wedding at The Rectory and Hotel Indigo in Old Town Alexandria | Alexandria Wedding Photographer
- Adam & Erica’s Trump National Golf Club Wedding in Sterling, Virginia | Northern Virginia Wedding Photographer
- Calvin & Alexandra’s Engagement Session at Constitution Gardens in Washington, D.C. | D.C. Wedding Photographer
