St. Mary's Catholic Church & Fathom Gallery Wedding | Caroline + Hau | Washington DC Wedding Photographer
Zion National Park Sunrise Wedding | Linda + Prenn | Washington DC Destination Wedding Photographer
“Zion is a marriage of light and stone, desert and water, ancient and contemporary. It inspires awe and requires contemplation. The serenity of the park affects all who take the time to experience wonder. Weddings at Zion are small affairs conducted amidst the natural beauty of one of the jewels of our nation. Lovers of nature and beauty may choose this place to wed because they are drawn by the splendor and natural silence of this majestic landscape.” - National Park Services Website
Linda & Prenn’s wedding plan in September 2020 has been highly affected by COVID just like many other unfortunate couples. Since they could not invite most of their loved ones, they pivoted the plan and decided to get married still in 2020, but in a different month and at a different location. A few weeks after their original wedding date in September, they reached out to me to chat about their new & much smaller wedding plan at Zion National Park in late November, and I couldn’t be happier for them when they decided to fly me out there! Although COVID was still dictating our lives, I decided to give myself a try as this trip might have been my last air travel of 2020 for an assignment, especially coming from a long & inevitable hibernation.
The landscape of Zion was speechless and beyond perfect for Linda & Prenn’s wedding vows. Also, having to document their wedding with my friend, David of @davidjonphotography who flew out from California to join me for additional creative & storytelling angles was beyond grateful.
Please enjoy viewing Linda & Prenn’s wedding with the gorgeous Utah mountains as the backdrop.
Baltimore Backyard Wedding | Katy + Graham | Washington DC Wedding Photographer
Just like many other mini weddings downsized by COVID, Katy & Graham changed their wedding plan to get married at Katy’s parents’ house where she spent most of childhood building up memories with her two brothers around the beautiful lake adjacent to the backyard. Although Katy’s friends couldn’t travel to her wedding, she stayed connected virtually during her getting ready, and her father & brother recorded the entire day to share the memories with the loved ones who couldn’t make it. However, we had three dogs that belong to the family, and they definitely added some fun ingredients to the wedding memories. Graham’s father officiated the wedding with beautiful messages, and Katy & Graham’s emotion maxed out when her brother presented a surprise bowl full of rolled-up papers written by many of their friends with beautiful messages.
Since Thanksgiving Day was fast approaching, I shared some teaser images and a full collection of the photos shortly after, and Katy’s mom wrote to me the next day saying, “Hello Ken,…. Thank you so much for your wonderful energy at Katy and Graham's wedding. We all could see from that day and the photos that you have sent that your heart is truly in your work…. Happy Thanksgiving from the McTooker gang, including the dogs. - Kay and Bill”
A few days later, her dad sent me a card with some beautiful words written. It reads, “Thank you from all of the McConnells and Tookers for your wonderful work at Katy' & Graham’s wedding. You faced a big challenge with two extremely introverted families, and you captured the essence of our deep love for each other and our unbridled silliness in the safety of our secret hideout. I feel very lucky to have had your undivided attention focused on the people’s love the most. And I hope that our paths will cross again at the next big celebration. Happy Thanksgiving! - Jay M”
I feel truly blessed to be a part of this intimate wedding celebration!
Sequoia National Harbor - Georgetown, Washington, D.C Wedding | Lea + Jack | Washington DC Wedding Photographer
Pearl Street, The Wharf DC Wedding & Top of the Town | Celeste + Mike | Washington DC Wedding Photographer
All Souls Church Unitarian | COVID Wedding in DC | DC Wedding Photographer | Mia + Rob
Rust Manor House Wedding - Leesburg Wedding | Allana + Mark | Virginia Wedding Photographer
The Inn at Mount Vernon Farm Virginia Wedding | Sara + James | Virginia Wedding Photographer
Belmont Country Club Wedding | Ritz Carlton Tyson's Corner Wedding | Michelle + Viet | Virginia Wedding Photographer
Waterfront Backyard Greek Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer | Bessy + Ioannis
Just like many other 2020 couples who made big changes in their wedding planning due to COVID-19, Bessy & Ioannis decided to get married at her uncle’s waterfront backyard located along with Wicomico River in Maryland instead of Athens, Greece. This DIY mini wedding with their immediate family with many family members and friends witnessing live from Greece was beyond amazing filled with love, joy, great Greek food and so many laughters.
After the photos were delivered a few days after their wedding, Bessy immediately followed up with a very kind message below.
“I cannot express how amazing you have been! We loved your work & your energy! You went well beyond expectations! But the most important part is that we felt you as part of our ceremony, a friend of ours!
We cannot thank you enough! I have to admit that i am checking the photos every day! They do make my day :-))
My brother says also a BIG THANKS. Will send you something on behalf of him.
Ps: my friends in Greece want me to take you there for their weddings and when a baptism will happen. Be prepared for overseas requests! Lol
-Bessy”
The Line DC Wedding | DC Wedding Photographer | Gwen + Elby
Even though the unprecedented time of this year has affected many people’s lives including wedding celebrations and also has heavily affected wedding photography in general, I am choosing to continue documenting love and life stories at weddings whether it is down-scaled and/or shortened. I hope that at least there is a person who finds the heartfelt moments of Gwen & Elby’s rooftop wedding in DC healing and touching her/his weary heart. Their touches and smiles shown amongst many black & white photos in this blog sprinkle a little fresh air of hopes and positivity.
As you enjoy viewing mostly black & white photos from this high school sweetheart’s wedding, I hope that these black & white images help you connect better with their moments solely through touches, emotions, moments, expression & such by limiting the color aspects in the frame.
Below is the very generous message received upon sharing the collection of their wedding photos.
“Ken!
These are absolutely incredible. We cannot thank you enough for documenting our special day. We've already forwarded to our friends and family who were in attendance and everyone loves them. Absolutely incredible work!
Best,
Elby & Gwen”
VENDOR CREDITS
Venue / Catering: The Line DC
Photo: Ken Pak Photography
Cake: Buttercream Bake Shop
Dress: Grace Loves Lace
Suit: Suit Supply
Hair / Makeup: DIY
Florist: DIY
Tudor Place Historic House and Garden Wedding | Washington DC Wedding Photographer | Lauren + Thomas
Stone Manor Country Club Wedding | Devon + Jared | Maryland Wedding Photographer
Engineer's Club New Year's Eve Wedding | Baltimore NYE Wedding Photographer | Erin + Michael
Morgan + Eric // Chesapeake Bay Beach Club Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
Stephanie + Jason // Oatlands Historic House and Gardens, Virginia | Virginia Wedding Photographer
Chelsea + Devin // Evergreen Museum & Library in Baltimore, Maryland | Baltimore Wedding Photographer
Jessica + Anthony // Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills, California | Los Angeles Wedding Photographer
Grishma + Vishnoo // Meadowlark Gardens in Vienna, Virginia | Virginia Wedding Photographer
Rohini + Ashish // Westfield Marriott in Chantilly, Virginia
Many thanks to those ultimately dedicated vendor team for Rohini & Ashish's wedding. It was truly a great harmony that I experienced throughout the day!
- Planning/Coordination: Preeti Exclusive Events
- DJ/AV/Sound/Lighting: DC Dynasty
- Photo: Ken Pak :)
- Video: Mari Harsan
- Decor: DaVinci’s Florist
- Catering: Diya
- Cake: Fluffy Thoughts
- Dance Floor: A Starlit Experience
- Baraat: Harmon Carriage
- Bridal Hair & MUA: Bridal Rang by Samiha
- Bridal Party/Family Makeup: SKS Salon
