Some weddings feel like a love letter to the city they’re set in—and M & T’s War Memorial and Line Hotel DC wedding was exactly that. The couple fully embraced DC’s classic beauty with a modern wedding that left me smiling well into the weekend. I photographed their entire day on both digital and 35mm film. These moments highlight movement, laughter, and unforgettable pockets of stillness. As a DC film wedding photographer, I live for days like this: raw, stylish, full of heart.
Newlywed Portraits at Constitution Gardens
M & T decided against doing getting ready photos at a hotel, so I met them at Constitution Gardens. We started the day off with private newlywed portraits under the willow tree on Signer’s Island. This is the perfect place to get iconic DC portraits, while avoiding most of the tourist crowd. This quite little cover offers a small patch of lush grass near the garden’s pond, a willow tree, and a perfect view of the Washington Monument in the background. The light was soft, the trees were golden, and the film? Chef’s kiss.
From there, we wandered toward the War Memorial, stopping for portraits along the way near the World War II memorial and along side the Reflecting Pool.
War Memorial Micro Ceremony
M & T’s family and friends were waiting at the War Memorial for them to arrive. This small but elegant venue is the perfect timeless setting for an intimate ceremony. We did a few more intimate newlywed portraits inside the War Memorial to show off M’s stunning dress and beaded veil while family and friends gathered nearby for group portraits.
The ceremony was short and sweet, and soon the newly wed couple, friends, family, and vendors alike were hopping on the rented tour busses that would take us to The Line Hotel, a boutique hotel and wedding venue in the Adam’s Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC.
The Line Hotel DC Wedding Reception
Their The Line Hotel DC wedding reception was the perfect way to cap the day. The Line Hotel is chic, eclectic, and showcases all of DC’s romantic tastes. I did some more newlywed portraits with the couple on the front steps, next to the iconic leaning mirror, and in the Mezzanine while guests made their way to the rooftop balcony for a memorable cocktail hour.
The Line Hotel DC is a perfect wedding venue for couples who love being photographed as it has numbers backdrops that are perfect for the photo-oriented couple. Better yet, photographing on a hybrid combination of digital and 35mm at the Line Hotel DC was a dream. The lighting was golden and creamy – none of those flickering white-blue overhead LEDS that disrupt a romantic atmosphere. The cherry on top is that the staff at the Line Hotel DC is phenomenal and accommodating to newlyweds, family, and vendors alike.
M & T didn’t follow a checklist. They followed their instincts—and that made the day feel like them. This is what I love about being a DC documentary wedding photographer. It’s not about control—it’s about presence. Letting the day breathe, then turning those breaths into legacy.
If you love M & T’s Line Hotel DC wedding photos and have a similar vision, reach out and chat with me!
DC film wedding photographer | DC documentary wedding photographer | The Line Hotel wedding on 35mm film
Vendors
Photography @jalisaroslynphoto / Videography @drapedinwhite / Day of Coordination @shiningtimeweddingus / Venue @thelinehotel @dcwarmemorial / Ceremony music @atokastringquartet / Florist @johnsonsflorist / DJ @toussaintproductions
Meet Jalisa
DC Film Wedding Photographer
Jalisa is a documentary wedding photographer who passionately preserves weddings on digital and film.
Serving Washington, DC, Baltimore, Maryland, and beyond.
