Alexandria wedding photographer | A snowy winter wedding

When Laura was looking for an Alexandria wedding photographer to capture her early February wedding in Old Town, she asked about weather. Winter weddings do bring a certain risk, after all. I assured Laura that I could literally walk to the wedding if I had to.

Luckily, I didn’t have to walk. But I don’t think we had quite envisioned the multi-week nightmare called snowcrete that early Winter 2026 brought to the DMV. Life had mostly gotten back to normal by the wedding, but continuous below-freezing temps meant snow and ice still clung to roads and sidewalks.

Laura and I had discussed some specific locations for outdoor photos. The day before her wedding, I scouted to see if those spots were still usable. I was looking for two things: 1) Is the spot still pretty or is it in the disgusting “snow mixed with road residue and dog mess” phase of winter? and 2) Would anyone fall and hurt themselves getting to or standing in this spot?

My favorite spot in Old Town, Wales Alley, was still pretty and relatively accessible.

Here’s where attitude can make or break photos. It was still very cold. We were still going to walk around snow and icy patches. We could have done the First Look and portraits in or nearer to the hotel. But both Laura and Jeff seemed happy to trust me that braving the cold would be worth it. Laura very cheerfully walked uphill, around icy patches, in heels.

And, dear reader, it was so worth it.

A bride's details as captured by an Alexandria wedding photographer.

Wedding details as captured by an Alexandria wedding photographer.

A bride getting ready at Hotel Indigo, as captured by an Alexandria wedding photographer.

A couple's First Look in Old Town, as captured by an Alexandria wedding photographer.

A couple on their wedding day, as captured by an Alexandria wedding photographer.

A bride captured underneath her veil, as captured by an Alexandria wedding photographer.

The rest of this Old Town Alexandria wedding

Laura and Jeff planned both their ceremony and reception at Cooper Mill, with getting-ready at nearby Hotel Indigo. The coziness of Cooper Mill was the perfect setting for the early-evening ceremony. Prior to the ceremony, the couple read private vows. I wasn’t there for the whole reception, but highlights included a flower girl spontaneously joining the First Dance and some very funny toasts.