Bonnie Sen is a Washington DC wedding photographer who loves to travel and capture the essense of the party

Light and Airy Summer Hay-Adams Wedding

February 6, 2019

It is no secret that I love a Hay-Adams wedding! The venue has so many elements that make this photographer happy: beautiful light, good bones, stunning views and flawless service. Okay, that last one may not be for the photographer in me but it is still an amazing detail.

Katy and Matt’s Hay-Adams wedding was no exception and if anything only fueled my love affair with the space. Katy and Matt worked with A. Dominick Events to plan a light, airy and cheery summer wedding – just like Katy. The day started with getting ready in one the Hay’s gorgeous bridal suites. Katy bridesmaids wore the most adorable pjs before slipping in to their stunning neutral dresses (remember these neutral bridesmaids beauties?). Although Katy’s backless lace gown stole the show!

Modern Wedding Couple Portraits © Bonnie Sen Photography Hay-Adams Hotel Wedding © Bonnie Sen Photography Green and White Classic Wedding Invitations Cheree Berry Paper © Bonnie Sen Photography

After the ceremony at Holy Rosary Catholic Church (another gorgeous space) the bridal crew headed back to Lafayette Park for formal portraits. In addition to being across the street from the Hay-Adams, Lafayette Park is such a great option for wedding photos. The park offers a variety of backdrops from DC focused to beautiful and neutral greens. We elected for mostly greens for Katy and Matt. The greenery complimented the overall aesthetic of this wedding including the pop of green in the Cheree Berry Paper invites.

After photos and a cocktail hour in the dark and moody Hay-Adams room the celebration continued in quintessential Hay-Adams wedding space – The Top of the Hay. Decked out with stunning neutral linens and cream chairs the perfectly peach flowers by Sidra Forman popped. Finished off by a super sweet first dance, thoughtful toasts and, of course, a skyline view shot – this wedding was one for the books.

Hay-Adams Wedding Vendor Team:

Church: Holy Rosary Church Reception Venue: Hay Adams Hotel Photography: Bonnie Sen Photography Event Planner: A. Dominick Events Floral Design: Sidra Forman Hair and Makeup: Amie Decker Beauty Paper Materials: Cheree Berry Paper Cake: Buttercream Bake Shop Dancefloor: Fabrications Events

Masculine & Refined Oceanfront Wedding in La Jolla, California

January 8, 2019

Rob and Franco’s oceanfront wedding in La Jolla, California has everything you could possibly want in a destination wedding. Impeccable design, thoughtful details, meaningful cultural traditions, dapper style and two of the nicest grooms in the world. These two met through mutual friends, survived long distance and a cross-country move to be together before heading back to West coast where it all started to tie the knot.

Rob and Franco opted for an oceanfront celebration that reflected their personal styles. They wanted the wedding to feel like a gathering in their home with all their favorite people. They incorporated masculine-yet-refined elements and textures. And showcased the coastal city they hold dear to their hearts.

The modern botanical invitations set the tone for the celebration. Rob and Franco wanted the invites to serve as a nod to the venue’s history and feel like a researcher’s botany book. The letterpressed invitations from Minted are accented with a vellum overlay, green envelopes and vintage stamps from the grooms’ home states.

The countless personal details continued on the wedding day. The two wore lapel pins in place of boutonnieres to represent their sweet pup, Aki. Earlier in the day, Rob and Franco distributed the same pins to 10 of their closest friends to thank them for being a part of their pack. During the ceremony they included a sake ceremony as a nod to Franco’s practice of Nichiren Buddhism. And donned traditional Hawaiian Maile leis to honor Franco’s Polynesian heritage.

I could go on and on about all the perfect detail but you can see more of this gorgeous wedding and all the thoughtful details on Martha Stewart Wedding here. Don’t miss the engagement story, inscription on the saber and story behind Franco’s Polynesian dance.

Oceanfront Wedding Vendor Team:

Tropical Destination Wedding in Montego Bay, Jamaica

December 11, 2018

What do we all need in our lives as we are heading into the dead of winter? A tropical destination wedding, of course! You know that we love all destinations weddings and travel around here (remember this Oregon beauty?). However, this time of year as the sun sets early and we are freezing our behinds off there is something so wonderful about looking back on a gorgeous tropical destination wedding.

Kelly and Blake got married at the gorgeous Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall. They booked the venue site unseen – a risk that totally paid off! Kelly’s family is from Jamaica so they knew guests would have to travel one way or another so why not head to the islands! The two said their I dos on the beach in a ceremony officiated by Kelly’s uncle and recited the very same vows her uncle and aunt had said years earlier. The cocktail hour featured a steel band followed by dinner on the sand.

Kelly wore a Sarah Janks wedding gown and sparkly Jimmy Choo sandals. Her tropical bouquet was the perfect compliment to her sleek gown adding that hit of the islands to her look. One of the most special times of the day had to be the couple portraits. Kelly and Blake have known each other since high school! And been together for 8 years! This day was a long time coming and I was honored to capture the celebration.

See more of this gorgeous beach wedding on Brides here.

Vendor Team:

Venue: Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall || Travel Coordinator: A Beautiful Day Wedding Planning || Bride’s Dress: Sarah Janks|| Bride’s Veil: DiDomenico Design || Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo || Hair & Makeup: Zen Spa at Hyatt Ziva Montego Bay || Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jenny Yoo for Dessy || Groom’s Attire: Enzo Custom Clothiers || Groomsmen’s Attire: Jos. A. Bank || Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: Dominion Jewelers || Ring Box: The Mrs. Box || Floral Design: Tai Flora Services || Paper Products: Ribbons & Ink, Bliss Paper Boutique || Catering & Cake: Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall || Reception Music: Elite Media Concepts || Rentals: Tai Flora Services || Videography: Paperboys

To Milan, With Love

October 15, 2018

This summer we spent a few weeks traveling throughout Europe and Milan was one of the stops on our journey. The thought of being in a beautiful city filled with fashion and not doing some sort of photoshoot was definitely out of the question.

During this shoot we wanted to capture the essence of the Italian girl: brave, outgoing, adventurous and optimistic. We shot outside the gorgeous Duomo di Milano among the pigeons, people and indescribable Italian light. Our girl wore a fashion forward embroidered dress and simple hair and make up. Both elements allowed her effortless beauty to shine through.

The moral of the story, go to Europe every summer and live the life of the Italian girl.

Jardin de Buis Love Bird Shoot Part 2

October 11, 2018

We are back today for part two of our Jardin de Buis “love bird” shoot with Veronica Rogers and Max Owens Designs. As I talked about yesterday I tend to pull inspiration from architecture, scenery and my surroundings but I love seeing what spurs creativity in others. As Veronica gathered inspiration for the shoot she was drawn to de Gournay intricate bird drawings.

Veronica carried the birds and aesthetic of these drawings through out to create the “love bird” theme. The bird inspired make up, subtle bird accents in the stationery and, of course, the real birds featured in many scenes reinforced her design. Veronica strived to show brides that a theme doesn’t have to feel kitsch or tacky. A theme can be used as a feeling and overall direction for a wedding.

Vendor Team: