Alessandra and Ben’s Columbia Country Club wedding was perfection! The day was beautiful and the couple was surrounded by family and friends who were eager to shower them with love and support!  Alessandra prepared for her day in her parents’ home near Chevy Chase, Maryland.  She and her bridesmaids enjoyed the warm morning on her family’s back deck and sipped on champagne while they did.  Alessandra’s details were beautiful.  From the paper suite to her gorgeous Paloma Blanca gown, Alessandra had thought every detail through, and her selections were exquisite.

In the Holy Cross Church, surrounded by those that loved them most, Alessandra and Ben met at the altar.  They vowed forever and made promises that would last a lifetime.  I knew when I first met this couple during their engagement session that they were hopelessly in love and a perfect match for each other, but their wedding day solidified that belief even more.  As they entered the reception, hand-in-hand, they couldn’t have been happier.  They took the dance floor, and Ben spun Alessandra around and around.  The crown cheered and the couple laughed!  Raul Marin, DJ, kept the party going well into the evening, as her family and friends, both local and from Puerto Rico, danced the night away!

Alessandra and Ben, Thank you both so much for the opportunity to be a part of your wedding day!  Your family and friends know how to have a good time, and I couldn’t stop smiling at the joy they all brought to your celebration!  I hope your honeymoon was a blast, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the two of you.  I wish you nothing but the best, with lots of love and laughter along the way!  Much love and appreciation.  Michelle 🙂

I just LOVE Alessandra and Ben’s paper suite!  Honestly, I love all of the details.  Take a look!

The shoes!  The rings!  Love.

  One of my favorite ring shots of all time.  Hands down.  Good work, Ben!

Alessandra chose to add several sentimental items to her wedding day, including a broach that belonged to her great grandmother.  Incorporating family heirlooms that represent your loved ones and heritage make a wedding day that much more special!  

Here’s the Paloma Blanca dress I mentioned!  Gorgeous!

Alessandra wanted to be sure to capture these items that remain in her family’s home.  They belonged to her great grandmother.Here’s that beautiful bride!  I think that smile says it all!

Whitney Gonneville did an amazing job on Alessandra’s makeup!

Alessandra’s nieces were flower girls.  Love these pretty, little ladies!

Time to get that dress on!   Alessandra’s mother helps her with the finishing touches.  Two lovely ladies!

This portrait of Alessandra’s grandmother hangs on the wall in her family’s home.  Alessandra’s father requested these images to show the resemblance. 

Ben’s mother was more than willing to help with his boutonniere.  Ben’s looking quite handsome, don’t you think?!?

The Holy Cross Church was a gorgeous ceremony location.

Such sweet moments…   Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Ferrell!

This bridal party was so kind and easy to be around.  Thank you all for welcoming me…and feeding me really good chicken salad and pasta…

This is one of my favorite parts of the day:  couples portraits.  LOVE these images of the newly married couple…

One of my favorites.  For sure. 

Columbia Country Club looked A-mazing for Alessandra and Ben’s reception!  Laura and Andrea, reception coordinators, were so easy to work with and accommodated every possible need.  Just LOOK at this ballroom!

How cool is it that Alessandra is the great, great granddaughter of John B. Stetson, cowboy hat maker?!?  One of my favorite parts of the day was listening to this traditional Puerto Rican band that played during cocktail hour.  Before guests even entered the ballroom for the main reception, they were dancing and moving to this super fun music!  I could have listened for hours!

The first dance!  It was so sweet to watch Ben spin his bride around!  The more he did, the more the crowd cheered.  Have I mentioned that these folks know how to have a good time?!?

Alessandra’s father toasted the happy couple.

Father/daughter and mother/son dances always make my heart melt.  So sweet. And the cake cutting!  Cake Dreams did a wonderful job on this simple, elegant wedding cake.  It was delicious, too!Congratulations to Alessandra and Ben, and Happy Friday, friends!

M xoxo

Church: Holy Cross Church

Reception Venue: Columbia Country Club

Photographer:  Michelle Renee Photography

Wedding Coordinator: Laura Gaige, Columbia Country Club

Dress: Paloma Blanca

Shoe Designer:  Vera Wang, Lavendar Collection

Makeup Artistry:  Whitney Gonneville

DJ: Raul Marin

Florals:  Hoover Fisher

Cake:  Cake Dreams