destination wedding Melanie Fiander destination wedding Melanie Fiander

Wedding: M & S - Fairfax, Virginia

This wedding was extra special for me to photograph because the bride - who is also named Melanie - and I have been best friends since we were four years old. From the moment Melanie introduced me to her then boyfriend Shane, I had a hunch they would walk down the aisle together; they just seemed to “radiate” happiness when they were around each other.

 
 

This wedding was extra special for me to photograph because the bride - who is also named Melanie - and I have been best friends since we were four years old. From the moment Melanie introduced me to her then boyfriend Shane, I had a hunch they would walk down the aisle together; they just seemed to “radiate” happiness when they were around each other. With Shane being from Texas and Melanie hailing from Virginia - the couple chose a Western theme. The bride and groom got ready at the St. Regis in Tysons Corner, Virginia, tied the knot at Oakton’s United Methodist Church, and held their reception at Historic Blenheim in Fairfax.

Photography: Fiander Foto | Getting Ready Location: St. Regis Tysons Corner

Ceremony: Oakton United Methodist Church | Reception Venue: Historic Blenheim

Florals: Camelot Garden Club | Wedding Planner: ARJ Productions | DJ Jimmy Hayes | DC Harpist

Hair: Michelle | Tent/Retnals/Decor: Sammy’s Rentals | Cake: Pastries by Randolph

Bridal Shop: Rosalin’s Bridal Boutique | Bridal Gown: Watters | Bridal Shoes: Sophia Webster

Groom’s Suit: Boss Kathmandu | Transportation: Reston Limo

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Portrait: The Trangs - Lake Barcroft, Virginia

I had the pleasure of photographing my dear friend Kim and her family at their home in Lake Barcroft, Virginia.  Kim and I went to high school together and were also on the swim team together.  She, her husband, Jami, and their kids now live in Manhattan.  It was such a treat to link up with all of them while they were back in the D.C. area. This lake has always been a special spot for me mainly because I grew up swimming for the Lake Barcroft dolphins; a motor-boatin’ team if ever there was one!  At seventeen, I became a lifeguard at Lake Barcroft and worked there for the next five summers.  Let me tell you; working at the lake was a pretty sweet summertime gig for a college student! With the number of paths, beaches, swing sets and colorful canoes; the lake has now become a pretty sweet location for family photo shoots!

I had the pleasure of photographing my dear friend Kim and her family at their home in Lake Barcroft, Virginia.  Kim and I went to high school together and were also on the swim team together.  She, her husband, Jami, and their kids now live in Manhattan.  It was such a treat to link up with all of them while they were back in the D.C. area. This lake has always been a special spot for me mainly because I grew up swimming for the Lake Barcroft dolphins; a motor-boatin’ team if ever there was one!  At seventeen, I became a lifeguard at Lake Barcroft and worked there for the next five summers.  Let me tell you; working at the lake was a pretty sweet summertime gig for a college student! With the number of paths, beaches, swing sets and colorful canoes; the lake has now become a pretty sweet location for family photo shoots!

During my time photographing Kim’s family, I had the pleasure of capturing her mom in her meditation room. As a devout Buddhist, she meditates several times a day.

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