We began our session in the Bishop’s Garden, one of my favorite locations on the Cathedral grounds.  I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t know much about gardening, but one thing that always amazes me about the National Cathedral is how vibrant the gardens remain throughout the year. From March through November, the grounds are constantly evolving as seasonal blooms are rotated in and out. No matter when I visit, there always seems to be something new flowering, and the spring colors were certainly showing off for Emma and Mason’s session. The combination of lush greenery, colorful blooms, and historic architecture creates such a timeless backdrop for engagement photos.

One of the reasons I love photographing at the Washington National Cathedral is that I always seem to discover a new nook, no matter how many times I’ve been there. Even after years of photographing sessions on these grounds, there are still hidden pathways and pockets of light that inspire me.

Emma and Mason were a joy to photograph as we wandered through the property together.  I’m so grateful they trusted me to document this fleeting chapter before their wedding day arrives. It was a beautiful morning spent exploring one of Washington’s most iconic locations, and I can’t wait to share more from their session.

View more engagement sessions from DC:
National Cathedral Spring Engagement
US Capitol Engagement Photos
Lincoln Memorial Engagement Session

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Since we had a little extra time before the wedding festivities officially began, I asked Melina and Teddy if they would be interested in a beach engagement session. They had already done an engagement session with me among the cherry blossoms in Washington, DC, but this felt like an opportunity for something completely different. With their wedding celebrations taking place on the beach, it seemed fitting to capture another chapter of their story against the backdrop of Negril’s famous turquoise waters and white sand beaches.

One of the unexpected benefits of arriving early to any destination wedding is getting to learn the location. I pay attention to where the sun rises and sets, how the light moves throughout the day, and what the local weather patterns are like. What I quickly learned about Jamaica in May is that the weather has a mind of its own. A storm can last five minutes or an hour. It might be a light sprinkle or a complete downpour. And the forecast Let’s just say the forecast is more of a suggestion than a guarantee. The weather seems to come and go whenever it pleases. I noticed that many of these showers tended to roll through during the evening, which is exactly what happened during our session.

Fortunately, instead of ruining the experience, the rain ended up making it even better. If you look through the photos, some of my favorites are the ones captured while a light rain was falling. There’s something incredibly romantic about them. They have that dreamy, cinematic feel that reminds me of scenes from The Notebook. The overcast skies softened the light, the beach emptied out, and Melina and Teddy simply embraced the moment together.

As an added bonus, the session gave them a chance to see firsthand how I approach unexpected weather. Destination weddings often come with a little unpredictability, and when the rain made an appearance during their wedding weekend, they already knew there was no reason to stress. We’d already proven that beautiful photos were possible no matter what the forecast decided to do.

I’m also completely obsessed with the outfits they chose for the session. Melina looked effortlessly elegant in a classic white swimsuit paired with a flowing pareo, while Teddy kept things timeless with crisp beach attire. The neutral tones complemented the vibrant blues and greens of the Caribbean perfectly, creating a look that felt sophisticated without being overly formal. This session ended up being the perfect start to an incredible wedding weekend. It gave us a chance to slow down, explore the island, and create some beautiful memories before the celebrations officially began.

Melina and Teddy, thank you for trusting me to document not only your wedding day but these quieter moments in between. Looking back on these images makes me want to hop on a plane and head right back to Negril.

View Similar Engagement Sessions Below!
Hilton Head Engagement Photos

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Enter: Gracie and Jimmy.

These two met at a wedding in Italy; already the kind of setting that feels straight out of a movie! Gracie was friends with Jimmy’s stepsister (the bride!), who naturally introduced the two. They spent most of the evening talking, laughing, and dancing together. But in her own Cinderella moment, Gracie slipped away early the next morning, leaving behind just the memory of one perfect night. Once back in the States, they reconnected… and the rest, as they say, is history.

Jimmy recently moved to Washington, DC for work, with Gracie not far behind. Together, they’ve been embracing this new chapter and exploring the city. We’re already planning to reconnect next spring to photograph them among DC’s iconic cherry blossoms. Work schedules meant they missed that fleeting window this year, but instead of feeling disappointed, they leaned into the idea of documenting their life here in different ways over time. So for this session, we chose another DC classic: the US Capitol.

A misty, quiet morning gave us the gift of having the city nearly to ourselves. We wandered through the surrounding streets, stopping by the Senate buildings and the Library of Congress, soaking in every bit of the morning. Enjoy a little glimpse into their Washington, DC love story.

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Anthony, a DC-area native, and his fiancé, Ashton, are currently balancing a cross-country relationship while finishing up school. With Anthony currently in New Jersey and Ashton in Michigan, they’re navigating the final stretch of their academic journeys before taking their boards and diving into their first year of residency. Despite the busy season of life, their connection was undeniable during our session. They were both full of laughter, quiet glances, and the kind of ease that only comes from being completely at home with one another.

Later this year, they’ll tie the knot in what’s sure to be a magical winter wedding at a stunning temple just outside of DC — I know they are already counting down the days! Before the big day arrives, we’ll be meeting up once again. This time, we will be capturing some pre-wedding portraits in their wedding day attire at a few of DC’s most iconic monuments. Trust me when I say, you won’t want to miss it.

Anthony and Ashton’s love story is one of dedication and deep joy and it’s been such a privilege to document just the beginning of their journey together. Stay tuned for more soon!

LOVED THIS SESSION EXPLORE MORE BELOW!
Romantic DC Engagement Session
Washington DC Monuments Engagement Photos
Engagement Pictures at the Washington National Cathedral

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Their first date was at 2Amys in DC, and from the start, their connection felt effortless and fun. There wasn’t one single moment when either of them knew the other was “the one.” Instead, it was a slow, beautiful realization built on countless small moments. For Kelly, it was the way Tim listened, how he made her laugh, and how natural it felt to be around him. For Tim, it was how deeply Kelly cared, how much joy she brought into his life, and the comfort of being completely himself with her. He remembers saying “I love you” for the first time while sitting in her car—and hearing her say it back was a moment he’ll never forget.

Tim’s proposal was thoughtfully planned. On a sunny March afternoon, he and Kelly went for a hike on the Billy Goat Trail with her sister. Like all good hikes, they planned to grab some apps and drinks afterward, as a reward for their walk! At the water’s edge, Kelly’s sister offered to take a photo — then she quickly grabbed Kelly’s bag as Tim dropped to one knee. Kelly said yes (of course!), and the moment was perfectly captured. Then, as they headed out for dinner, much to Kelly’s surprise, she saw their families were waiting nearby to celebrate alongside them. Tim had been planning this moment for over a month and pulled it off flawlessly.

Now, they’re looking forward to a wedding day at the Omni Shoreham that will be filled with elegance, fun, and love — all while being surrounded by family and friends from near and far. 

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For their engagement session, we were coming off a weekend that called for nothing but rain. Each day seemed to have passing showers, but you never knew when they were going to hit… this is why I gently urge my clients not to obsessed over the forecast — they can barely predict what is coming an hour before it arrives, let alone a week! Thankfully the rain had passed overnight and we were greeted with clear skies on a cool, spring morning in Washington, DC. Clouds speckled the atmosphere, creating a slight overcast that made for the most stunning portraits!

Enjoy a peek into their gorgeous engagement photos at the Capitol & Library of Congress!

If you enjoyed Courtney & Nick’s LOC engagement photos, click below to find a few similar sessions in DC!
Washington, DC Engagement Session
Cherry Blossom Engagement Photos

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Like all modern-American love stories, these two met on a dating app; Hinge, to be specific. They met during the pandemic and both agreed that their first date was a little strange due to having to wear masks… if you’ve ever been on dating apps, you know it’s rare to find someone who actually looks like their pictures; now imagine trying to have to figure that out behind a mask! But otherwise, they had a wonderful first date. They met at an escape room in Maryland, close to where Cathy lived, and she loved that he put in the effort to travel to her. She also loved having an activity-based first date, noting that it kept from any awkward silence. Despite vowing to never date an Ashburn man (still one of the cutest stereotypes I’ve ever heard!), she visited Leesburg on their second date for oysters and, well, the rest is history!

They tied the knot inside the DC War Memorial by exchanging private vows and popping a bottle of champagne to celebrate! They even brought me a glass so I could join in the celebration with them — I told you they were kind and thoughtful!

You can find additional sessions or weddings photographed by Alicia Lacey in Washington, DC at any of the links below!
Iconic Hay Adams Wedding
Spring Meridian House Wedding
US Capitol Engagement Session

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I don’t know if you’ve ever been to the Tidal Basin during peak bloom, but even at sunrise, it is wall-to-wall with people — everyone hoping for their chance to capture those fleeting blossoms. This year, in particular, was more going to prove to be more difficult than ever as the Tidal Basin was under heavy construction to correct flooding. This meant that there were less blooms and less sidewalk space available, leading to a higher concentration of the crowd. All of that sounds impossible, right! Well, when you take peek below, I think you’ll see we created a little bit of magic for Courtney and Ryan! After all, cherry blossoms are a little like the Super Bowl for Washington, DC wedding photographers, so we all thrive under the pressure!

I arrived nearly an hour before their session to stake out a spot. I got so lucky to be surrounded by folks who were excited to cheer them on during their session and didn’t mind moving around to accommodate our photo requests! Sure, we had moments where we needed to pause or wait for a location to open up, but all-in-all, considering just how crowded it was that morning, even I’m a bit shocked at how empty their photos make the Tidal Basin look. And before you ask… yes, I did use a little photoshopping magic, but honestly not nearly as much as you’d expect! I think I removed more people from the back of their images at the Jefferson than the Tidal Basin, if you can believe it!

This sweet couple will be getting married in Italy later this year and if Courtney’s sense of style is any indication, it is sure to be a stunning affair!

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This past winter, Jane reached out to share that she and her wife, Meg, would be moving to the area. Both of these amazing women grew up in the south, but Jane had previously lived nearby while attending undergrad at UVA. However, she didn’t quite get the full UVA experience (thanks to COVID) and eventually returned home, where she met Meg shortly after (cue fate!).

When Meg received a job offer in the district, the couple decided to make the move to DC and are thrilled to call this vibrant city home.These two love capturing their adventures in photos as they visit new places — so far, they’ve had sessions in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Nevada. And of course, they knew they needed to mark their new chapter with a portrait session in their new home city. What could be more “DC” than the cherry blossoms?!

We dove straight into outfit planning, and as you’ll see in the photos below, it could not have been more perfect for their sunrise shoot among the blossoms. Jane’s lace dress was simply breathtaking and looked like it was made for her, while Meg’s suit brought a sophisticated, DC-chic vibe in the most perfect cherry blossom pink you could imagine. It was a morning to remember!

Don’t forget — it’s never too early to book your cherry blossom portraits! Those blooms are fleeting, so most photographers only book a limited number of sessions each season.  You can find lots of tips and additional information in my ultimate guide to all things cherry blossom!

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When we are a few days prior to peak bloom, you’ll find the Tidal Basin especially empty. The trees are still coming to their full potential but in photographs You’d never know! During peak bloom, you’ll find the trees at their fullest but also the Tidal Basin at its fullest… it’s a bit of a trade off! The cherry blossom trees look absolutely stunning, but the crowds tend to limit the areas available for shooting. After peak bloom, you’ll still find elevated crowds, but no where near the extent as a few days before. The petals are slowly falling off, which makes for a beautiful sight on the ground as now both the skies and the sidewalks are covered in delicate, pink petals. The hardest part is you just never know exactly when any of this will occur! Peak bloom has hit from mid-March through mid-April and everything in between! The trees only bloom about 10 days, but winds and rain can heavily impact that so you have to be watching the weather like hawk!

The last of these three phases (that I’ve completely made up from my own experiences!) is where I met Melina and Teddy for their cherry blossom engagement session. We caught the sun rising over the water before heading over to the Jefferson for a few additional photos!

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Abby and Curtis met, as they say, the (new) old fashioned way — on Hinge. They’ve dated for the past two years and plan to tie the knot under their chuppah at the National Museum of Women in the Art. While these two aren’t getting married until next year, I am already looking forward to capturing their big day. They’ve decided to forgo a lot of things on a wedding day that have become tradition and make the day truly their own. For example, they are completely eliminating a wedding party, which I love because it brings the focus back on the two of them. They are also officiating the ceremony themselves, which is something unique that can be done in the District. And honestly, who knows the two of you better than, well, the two of you! I’m sure they have a few other fun surprises up their sleeve and I cannot wait to see what they come up with next February! 

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