Kara and Kendall’s Woodend Nature Sanctuary wedding was one of those days that stays with you long after the music fades. These two are the kindest, most thoughtful souls— with huge hearts, a stunning vision, and a love that just radiates. From the moment they initially inquired to the very last bubble that followed them out the front gate in their getaway car, it was clear how much intention and joy had been poured into this day.
While Kara and Kendall got ready in DC, I was on my way to Woodend Nature Sanctuary, planning to meet the brides just in time for their first look!
Kara arrived first with her wedding party and family, looking absolutely stunning in her floral-detailed gown. As Jessi (my second photographer!) and I scouted their preferred spot for the first look, Kara’s crew headed upstairs in the mansion to settle in. Not long after, Kendall arrived with her people, wearing her Glinda-inspired gown—and let me tell you, it was everything she had dreamed of since she was a little girl… the perfect amount detail and swish and oh so stunning.
Soon, it was time! The moment these two saw each other was magic. The way their faces lit up said it all… This was the day they had been dreaming about for years— even since their earliest dates, according to Kara’s thank-you toast later that evening.
After their first look, we moved into some beautiful couples portraits before their wedding party joined us.
I remember them telling me about their sapphic flag-inspired color palette during their consultation, and I knew it was going to be incredible. When I saw it come to life? I was floored. It was vibrant, cohesive, full of joy, and so reflective of who they are as a couple.
They had sent a few vision board photos before the big day, and it was clear: their crew was going to be a total vibe. And they delivered! We laughed, we twirled, we tossed bouquets overhead, and we captured so many joyful, loving moments between Kara and Kendall and their people. K+K’s family soon joined us on the front lawn… along with some applause from Mother Nature.
Just as we were wrapping up family photos, the sky started rumbling.
Guests began arriving, but the radar wasn’t giving us a clear answer about whether the rain would pass. Eventually, the thunder rolled in more steadily, and the call was made: we’d shift the timeline, move cocktail hour up, and bring the party inside while we waited it out.
Kara and Kendall took it all in stride… they were not going to let a surprise thunderstorm steal anything away from the incredible Woodend Nature Sanctuary wedding day that they have been dreaming of for YEARS!
They wanted to enjoy cocktail hour with their people, so they did! Their DJ queued up a perfect entrance, and the party got started early. Drinks flowed, laughter filled the room, and the celebration was already in full swing— even before the ceremony. Was it what they had initially planned? Nope… but it made a heck of a way to start an incredible day AND will make an epic story for years to come.
While we had all hoped for an outdoor ceremony, Mother Nature had other plans. The tent where dinner would be held quickly transformed into the ceremony space. Each table was decorated with bud vases and colorful florals, and every single place setting had a handwritten thank-you note from the brides. It was intimate, heartfelt, and so full of meaning… I just love that guests were greeted with heartfelt notes as the brides prepped to exchange vows.
Their ceremony was officiated by the mother of one of their bridesmaids, and it struck the perfect balance between humor and feels. They started the ceremony with vows from their guests… asking them for their support in life and love. Kara and Kendall then shared the most heartfelt, personal vows— ones that had nearly everyone reaching for tissues (Both from giggles because these two are hilarious and also because their love is just so beautiful). They sealed it all with a kiss, slipped into their dancing shoes, and got ready to make their reception entrance as WIVES!
Their reception entrance was EVERYTHING!
Guests waved napkins in the air as Kara and Kendall ran in, grinning ear to ear. You could feel that any lingering stress or uncertainty caused by the impromptu thunderstorm earlier in the day had been replaced with double the joy and celebration. The energy in the tent was electric!
After a few heartfelt toasts, we snuck away for one last round of portraits. Now officially married, Kara and Kendall danced and twirled across the mansion lawn, soaking in the just-married glow. While they settled in for dinner, they lent me their rings and I stepped away to create a few pretty flatlays of some of their most treasured details.
As dinner wrapped up, the brides stood to share their gratitude.
Kara spoke first, thanking their people and reflecting on the early days of dating. Then Kendall stepped forward and shared a story that brought chills.
She talked about learning who she was at 12— three years before marriage equality was legal. Back then, she dreamed of a big wedding, surrounded by love, in a beautiful ball gown… but she wasn’t sure that would ever be possible. That night, mic in hand, with her wife by her side and their people surrounding them, her dream came true. It was a moment I’ll never forget— and one that reminded everyone in the room why this day mattered so much. Yes, every wedding day is incredibly special, but the ones that come with a history of self discovery and celebrating who you truly are hit the feels just a little harder. These two worked so hard for this day in so many more ways than just the planning, and it showed… in their joy, their glances, reaches for each other’s hands, and the way they toasted and danced the night away.
If you know these two, it’s no surprise that the dance floor was next level.
Kara and Kendall curated the perfect playlist— queer bops, wedding classics, and everything in between. There were custom temporary tattoos, late-night Jeni’s ice cream, churros… basically everything you could dream up for the perfect party.
But nothing topped Defying Gravity!
Kendall, a big musical theatre fan, requested it for the playlist. And when it came on? She and Kara took to the grand staircase with a Glinda wand in hand and performed the most iconic duet. Every guest joined in, singing at the top of their lungs. It was camp. It was emotional. It was QUEER JOY at its finest. As the lyrics soared (pun fully intended), you could feel the weight of what this moment meant— not just to them, but to so many in the room. These two are standing on who they are— as people and as a couple— and that is the most beautiful thing in the whole entire world.
All the dance moves soon led us to the final song of the night. As the brides twirelled arm in arm and thanked their guests, I’m pretty sure no one wanted the night to end! That said, the official party wrapped up with the sweetest bubble send-off. Guests cheered as Kara and Kendall made their way through a sea of shimmering Glinda bubbles, hand in hand, glowing from the inside out.
I always feel immense gratitude for the couples that invite me to photograph their wedding days, but this day left me with a little extra gratitude.
I first met Kara through her sister Anna, whose grad photos I photographed a few years ago (alongside her friend Chloe—who was also at the wedding! Hi, friends!). Seeing familiar faces, documenting such a heartfelt celebration, and knowing how long Kara and Kendall had been dreaming about this day made everything feel even sweeter. They have a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love, one that is so rare to find but so beautiful when you do. Their day was the perfect reflection of their love, their personal journeys, their joy and pride in who they are as people, and the beautiful community that surrounds them. It was truly surreal to photograph such a meaningful day!
These two are the real deal, and it was an honor to be part of their wedding story. I can’t wait for you to scroll through all the joy, color, and beauty from this unforgettable wedding day at Woodend Nature Sanctuary.
A shoutout to their wonderful vendor team:
Venue: Woodend Nature Sanctuary | Catering: Corcoran Catering | Wedding Planner: Glow Weddings | Bridal Gown Boutique: A&Bé Bridal, Anthropologie | Bridal Gown Designer: Vagabond, Watters | Bride’s Shoes: Converse | Hair and Makeup: JKW Beauty | Floral Design: Wildly Native Flower Farm | Dessert: Sweet Crimes Bakery | Reception Entertainment: MyDeejay – Brian Jones | Violinist: Yalira Walker
Kara and Kendall… thank you! Photographing your wedding day was such a joy. I cannot wait to see where life takes you two!
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