Closing out the week with our Top 10 Offbeat, Creative & DIY Maryland, Virginia, & Washington DC Wedding Features from 2012. Man, if I thought narrowing down the engagement sessions to 10 was hard …. this task was nearly impossible. So much so, that I HAD to have “honorable” mentions – because I just couldn’t pick only 10.
Which, in retrospect of why I started this DC wedding blog ~ and what my mission is [to find creative, DIY, & offbeat DCArea weddings], it’s actually a REALLY good thing. It means that the landscape of Washington DC area weddings IS changing – and couples in our often traditional [and expensive] wedding scene are finally getting outside the white wedding box, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about that.
So keep those offbeat DC, VA, & MD weddings coming 2013, and in the meantime, enjoy some seriously amazing offbeat weddings from 2012.
My Top 10 Offbeat & DIY Washington, DC, Maryland, & Virginia Wedding Features
 The bride wore green, the food was from food trucks, the best man & maid of honor were dogs … oh yeah & the entire wedding was a SURPRISE! Ben & Jen’s Offbeat Washington DC wedding by Leslie Maron Photography tops our list!
Bridesmaids in yellow & green, DIY wedding details, and almost everything handmade, Taylor & Stuart’s DIY Maryland wedding by Rebekah J. Murray was a shoe-in [Part 1 here, Part 2 here].
When I was designing my booth for Borrowed, I scoured the ends of the internet for “industrial wedding” inspiration. Nothing I found came close to Harmonie & Vi’s seriously amazing, industrial wedding at the Gutierrez Studio in Baltimore, MD by Voula Trip Photography. An umbrella chandelier, custom glasses, handmade wire signs, mismatched bridesmaids, & so much more. As their favors said, “let the series begin”:
This one made the list due to one of the most “offbeat” and budget-friendly DC wedding venues I have ever seen … the couple’s apartment complex! Charles & Scott’s Offbeat, Apartment Complex Wedding in Washington, DC was one just so cool – and really emphasized how the WEDDING is the most important part of your wedding day. This one by Red Shoes Photography.
Now we go hip … like SUPER hip & stylish, with Cecelia & Wasim’s Modern, Stylish Washington DC wedding by Megan Noonan Photography. My favorite element of this modern DC wedding was that Cecelia had her maids hold clutches, instead of bouquets – but there is SO much more to love in this wedding too.
Fiddles, flannel & food trucks, Natalie & Kahlis’ Eclectic, Handmade River Wedding in Virginia knocked my socks off. Thanks to Sara Sultan Photography, I got to share a seriously beautiful VA wedding by a river with a ton of handmade and heartfelt details, and a completely customized Quaker wedding ceremony. I am sure this will be one of your favs too.
 Emailing with this bride was one of my favorite highlights of 2012 – we shared SO many common thoughts on the wedding scene in DC and I was honored that she submitted her insanely awesome wedding to MY blog. Sarah & Steve’s Offbeat Vintage Baseball Maryland wedding was a serious highlight of my 2012 features. The bridesmaids wore mismatched dresses in neutral tones, with lace and the groomsmen wore whatever suit they wanted. The entire wedding was centered around Steve’s love of baseball and Sarah’s love of vintage things. The combination was something truly special [with some seriously awesome wedding songs chosen too!].
There was so much awesomeness that we split this feature into 2! Images by Barnyard Photography, Part 1 here, Part 2 here.
I am in awe of this next couple’s talent. The bride is an interior designer, and the groom is a carpenter. You can only imagine how stunning their DIY Virginia wedding was then. Katie & Andy’s DIY, Whimsical Travel Themed Virginia wedding by Heather Bee Photo was such an amazing feature [ Part 1 here, Part 2 here]. The groom handmade SO many of their decor details [escort cards in an old door, chalkboards for signage, & more] and they travel themed wedding invitations are a must see. Also, the whimsical color scheme of coral, blue, & tan perfectly complimented the completely outdoor Virginia reception design!
This next DIY wedding was so jammed packed full of inspiration & DIY details, it was a no brainer to add to this list. The bride is an art teacher, and most of the items they used for their wedding decor, centerpieces & details, came from the bride’s own backyard! Amanda & Keith’s DIY Woodland Maryland Wedding by ZADesignz is a dream for any couple looking to create wedding decor from trees, wood & branches. Almost every element of their wedding included branches & tree – so check it out!
And last, but not least ~ TWO intimate weddings BOTH at the Tabard Inn in Washington, DC [yes, I know I am cheating hardcore here, but I adored BOTH these weddings and just couldn’t pick one … so deal with it ;-p ]. Both featured intimate receptions and both featured brides in some seriously awesome short wedding dresses. See, you can’t pick one over the other either, right?!
Rebecca & Matt’s Intimate, Offbeat Washington, DC wedding at the Tabard Inn by Red Shoes Photography
Jess & Mitch’s Offbeat, Intimate Washington DC Wedding at the Tabard Inn by Michelle VanTine Photography
HOLY COW! We did it … we narrowed down our favorite features to 11. Can you believe it?! I don’t think I can. Just like with our engagement features, I need to thank again all the amazing area wedding photographers that submit these amazing weddings to my blog. Every feature on my blog is truly special to me and  I cannot thank all the photographers that share their images with me to post here. So thank you all and I am SO excited to see what 2013 brings us!
