A Spring Wedding At the National Cathedral School

Some couples want their wedding day to reflect exactly who they are, not a version smoothed over for tradition’s sake. Christine and Camilo’s May wedding at National Cathedral School did exactly that, down to the send-off.

This is a wedding for introverted couples who don’t want to spend their day posing for portraits, and for couples looking for a photographer who shows up for every part of who they are, including the people and causes closest to their hearts.

Christine and Camilo got married in front of about 100 guests. As introverts, they were clear about one thing from the start: they didn’t want to stop and pose all day. They wanted lots of candid moments, photographed as things actually happened, with the only structured portion of the day being a quick 15 minutes for family formals. I photographed the day on both digital and film, which gave the story an extra layer of texture between the two.

That kind of trust changes how a day gets photographed. Instead of stopping to stage moments, I got to just watch the day unfold: getting ready, the ceremony, the reception, all of it captured the way it actually looked and felt.

The moment that stayed with me most was their send-off. Guests lined up holding ribbons in the colors of the trans flag, a tribute to one of Christine and Camilo’s family members. It was simple, it was clearly meaningful to everyone standing there, and it’s the kind of detail that reminds you why documentary style coverage matters. Moments like that only happen once, and they only get captured if you’re not busy directing something else.

Christine and Camilo largely DIY’d their wedding, from decor to details, which fit their low-key personalities perfectly.

The team behind the day:

  • Venue: National Cathedral School
  • Photography: Natasha Lamalle Photography
  • DJ: District Event Co
  • Catering: Meriwether Godsey

Here’s what Christine had to say afterward:

“Natasha is fantastic!! You could not find a kinder, more punctual, more dependable, and more talented candid photographer in the DMV. We hired her for our wedding and she exceeded all expectations. From sending us thoughtful pre- and post-wedding gifts, to delivering sneak peek photos in lightning-fast speed, to quick response times with questions, and recommendations for every part of the wedding process, Natasha was worth every penny spent. Not to mention that she was an emotional comfort when I was filled with nerves right before our ceremony. I cannot recommend her enough, and if she’s available for your event, book her now!”

If you’re planning a wedding at National Cathedral School, or you want a photographer who’ll show up for the moments that matter most to you rather than a checklist of posed shots, I’d love to talk. You can also check out my National Cathedral School venue guide for everything you need to know about getting married there. If you’re still looking around, here are my favorite Washington DC wedding venues. Hope this helps!

Natasha Lamalle

Written by

Natasha Lamalle

Washington DC wedding photojournalist with a master's degree in journalism from La Sorbonne. For more than 15 years, Natasha has told stories for a living — first in newsrooms, now through candid, unposed wedding photography across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Learn more about Natasha

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