Real Couples // A Washington, DC Affair: Diana+Monroe

From a photographer's perspective, most weddings are fairly difficult, both mentally and physically, and we're usually completely exhausted at the end of the day. However, Diana and Monroe proved to us that weddings can be easy. Though their wedding day started early (8am) and we had a wedding the night before (something we never do), we happily and effortlessly cruised through their day while they smiled, laughed, and celebrated with a very intimate crowd of about 25. The shared exchanges of joy were endless, the weather was perfect, and their day ran like a well-oiled machine thanks to the team of Taylor and Hov.

Kristiaan and I went our separate ways while the couple was getting ready. She went with Diana to the Mayflower, and I went with Monroe to his home. We reunited at the ceremony on the lawn of the Jefferson Memorial for an emotional reunion as Diana walked down the aisle. Brunch was at the Hay Adams and absolutely delicious and filled with much excitement and more good laughs. Afterwards we headed to the US Capitol for some more portraits to cap off the day. 

Words and Photos by The Madious

The Madious Wedding Photography DC bride getting ready
The Madious Wedding Photography DC bride getting help with hair
The Madious Wedding Photography DC groom getting ready
The Madious Wedding Photography DC groom tying tie
The Madious Wedding Photography DC groom taking jacket from hanger
The Madious Wedding Photography DC bride putting on wedding shoes
The Madious Wedding Photography DC bride's high heels
The Madious Wedding Photography DC bride being helped with dress
The Madious Wedding Photography DC bride stepping out of room
The Madious Wedding Photography DC Father's first look at bride
The Madious Wedding Photography DC bride getting into car
The Madious Wedding Photography DC bride and her father in car
The Madious Wedding Photography DC groom and pastor waiting at outdoor altar
The Madious Wedding Photography DC father escorting bride
The Madious Wedding Photography DC groom dabbing teary eyes
The Madious Wedding Photography DC bride and father proceeding down aisle
The Madious Wedding Photography DC bride, father, and groom
The Madious Wedding Photography DC bride dabbing at teary eyes
The Madious Wedding Photography DC couple, father, and pastor 
The Madious Wedding Photography DC hugging bride and groom
The Madious Wedding Photography DC bride and groom holding hands, groom shaking her father's hand
The Madious Wedding Photography DC greeting guests as married couple
The Madious Wedding Photography DC groom twirling bride by the water
The Madious Wedding Photography DC bride and groom
The Madious Wedding Photography DC bride and pastor smiling
The Madious Wedding Photography DC kiss on lincoln memorial steps
The Madious Wedding Photography DC close-up of bride's shoes as she walks
The Madious Wedding Photography DC embrace
The Madious Wedding Photography DC couple descending steps
The Madious Wedding Photography DC bride, her father, and groom laughing at dinner table
The Madious Wedding Photography DC groom leading wedding toast
The Madious Wedding Photography DC groom toasting with bride's father
The Madious Wedding Photography DC silhouettes of couple holding champagne glasses 
The Madious Wedding Photography DC groom kissing bride's forehead
The Madious Wedding Photography DC photo of couple from behind pedestrian light
The Madious Wedding Photography DC shadows of bride and groom walking
The Madious Wedding Photography DC bride and groom in front of capitol building
The Madious Wedding Photography DC bride and groom selfie

LIONEL AND KRISTIAAN

Lionel and Kristiaan are a husband and wife team who met in Lionel’s parents’ basement where Kristiaan was teaching them salsa lessons. Soon after, their passion for photography blossomed into not only a relationship but also a wedding photography business. Several years later they’ve found importance in making strong personal connections with their couples and good communication. They strive to photograph each wedding in its own unique way while capturing the most memorable images.

They put a strong emphasis into getting to know their couples and their location, as well as what their expectations are.  They are happy and in love,  often a little quirky, and love working with other happy couples. They believe in strong connections with family and friends, as this creates the most beautiful images, and that the images should represent the feeling of your day, not just the look.