Sunrise DC War Memorial Elopement Wedding Ceremony

Alex + Drew

Alex and Drew’s wedding day was the earliest I had ever woken up for a wedding. As the sun was rising in the summer of 2024, Alex and Drew were getting ready to say their vows in front of their family in a private ceremony at the DC War Memorial in Washington, DC. Their wedding was something we had spoken about for several months and to see it come together was beautiful and emotional. Their was focused entirely on the core meaning of a wedding, the joining of two people and two families with the invisible yet strong bond of love.

I was (and still am) super appreciative of Alex and Drew because not only did they have me for Drew’s surprise proposal the winter before, they both decided that having their day photographed was absolutely essential. Elopements and private weddings often times happen with nothing but memories left after the day but for this couple, photography was a necessity and they carved plenty of time into their day to make it happen.

The National Mall at sunrise feels quite different that it does any time after. A place known for attracting millions of people a year almost feels like an opening scene from a movie before anything is revealed. It almost felt like we were the only ones there. The scene from their movie was backlit with the rising sun and it produced some of the most gorgeous light id ever seen, and it was only just the beginning. Family soon joined after for their small ceremony and portraits. From their vows at the War Memorial we drove to DC’s famed Blagden Alley where we took even more portraits in a location almost as colorful as them.

Alex and Drew were a couple that I would have gladly photographed all day. From sun up till sun down, im positive they had an amazing wedding day.