I’m Stephanie, a wedding + lifestyle photographer based in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Warrenton, Virginia. Whether I’m by the mountains of Colorado or Virginia, my soul feels at home, surrounded by rural living and the raw beauty of nature. I genuinely love what I do, and feel so passionate to share the enthusiasm and joy of these celebrations with you!

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September 17, 2014

Jaafar & Bree | Alexandria, Virginia Wedding Photographer

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I met Jaafar and Bree through the amazing Kim and immediately hit it off in the middle of Starbucks! We were laughing for a straight hour that other customers were joining in on our conversation! I could tell that these two were going to have a fun wedding and ohhhh was that an understatement! So many surprises for the guests … To start out, they had a parade after their ceremony from the Carlyle House to Hotel Monaco. I loved seeing how they combined American and Moroccan traditions into their wedding day. For the next surprise, Bree was placed in the middle of the floor as all of the guests danced around her. Now, I believe this really wasn’t a planned surprise but it was perfect! Jaafar choreographed a surprise dance for Bree following the guests dancing around her (this part was definitely planned). He busted moves all over the dance floor making everyone scream his name as if it was a concert! Bree became overwhelmed with emotions and was in complete shock that tears could not be held back. It was a beautiful moment in their reception and not to mention, FUN! 🙂 To end the fun night, Jaafar’s Moroccan friends put on a show to say the least! They asked the fabulous band for a minute on stage to sing a known Moroccan song. It was a HUGE hit! As Bree likes to call them the Moroccan Backstreet Boys. 😉 Overall, the day was fun and full of awesome surprises that left the guests screaming their names! Not to mention the band, Wake the Neighbors, ROCKED the dance floor! Packed dance floor all night <= always calls for great photos. 😉 Enjoy some of my favorites below!

Jaafar and Bree, thank you so much for honoring me with documenting your special day! What fun memories to always remember. 🙂 Best wishes to you both! xoxo

1-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-1_web1-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-2_webThese are the traditional Moroccan shoes … and something blue!
1-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-8_web1-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-5_webOh yes, I walked into Bree’s room already having a dancing party! Loved them already!
2-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-2_webLove the henna!
2-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-4_web2-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-5_web2-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-7_web2-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-8_web1-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-4_web
2-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-11_webEverything started to set in…
2-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-13_webLove this bridal portrait!
2-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-15_webRight before her dad walked in, I asked Bree if her dad was going to cry. She told me that he’s not an emotional guy and will probably not cry. Well, we were all wrong because as soon as he saw her up close, he was overwhelmed with emotions. Such a sweet moment!
2-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-19_webFirst look!
3-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-1_web3-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-2_web3-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-8_web3-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-9_webI love how much he makes her laugh and smile. 🙂
3-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-16_webLove these!
3-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-19_web3-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-22_webCute in between moment. 🙂
3-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-24_web3-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-5_webHer best friends. 🙂
4-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-2_webAnd his best friend. Lol!
4-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-3_webBree collecting the flowers going down the aisle to create her lovely bouquet.
5-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-2_web5-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-3_web5-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-4_webFeeding each other dates and milk is another Moroccan tradition.
5-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-5_web5-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-6_webYAY!
5-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-8_webLoved the parade!!!
5-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-9_web5-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-10_webConveniently, downtown Alexandria had an art show that closed off King Street all day. When the parade was walking through, people were cheering for them. 🙂 What a great way to yell out to the world you’re married! 🙂
5-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-11_webMARRIED! 🙂
7-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-1_webWe decided it was necessary to have a photo in the middle of the art display for a quick second. 😉 Haha!
7-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-6_web

8-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-3_web8-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-4_webLoved this cake!
8-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-10_web400 Moroccan sweets! Oh yes!
8-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-11_webTIME TO CELEBRATE!
9-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-1_web9-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-8_webWell … I’ve never seen this happen before, but there’s always a first! They tried cutting out their piece of cake when literally the handle broke off the cake cutter! Lol! They still managed. 🙂
9-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-10_web9-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-14_webThen came Jaafar’s surprise! Look at Bree! Completely in shock! Love it!
9-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-15_web9-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-17_webSo sweet! Bree was overwhelmed by Jaafar’s surprise performance!
9-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-18_webThen came time for the Moroccan Backstreet Boys! They didn’t really sing Backstreet Boys song (although that would have been a sight to see)!
9-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-24_web9-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-25_web

YAY! CONGRATS!!!!
9-jaafar_bree_alexandria_wedding_photographer-20_web

Thank you to all of the vendors involved!
Ceremony: Carlyle House, Alexandria, Virginia
Venue: Hotel Monaco, Alexandria, Virginia
Wedding Planner: Kim Newton
Hair/Makeup: Stylist to Go
Caterer: Hotel Monaco
Florist: Bloom
Baker: Somerset Cakes
Band: Wake the Neighbors

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