Natasha + Tyler | Brookside Gardens Wedding Photos | Bethesda, MD

April 8, 2025

Last weekend we had the perfect spring day to celebrate Natasha and Tyler’s wedding at Brookside Gardens. It was the perfect place to start this new chapter in their lives, surrounded by gorgeous spring blooms and their closest friends and family.

The Couple

From the bride: “Our story began as many do these days – on a dating app (thanks, OK Cupid!). In the fall of 2021, we connected over our shared interests in coffee, plants, books, cooking, and travel. Natasha had just come back from her brother’s wedding in Rogers Park, north of Chicago, where Tyler had lived a few years earlier. After a few days of chatting, Tyler suggested meeting in person, and Natasha agreed.

“Given the COVID-19 situation and Natasha’s asthma, we opted for a safe first date at Tyler’s apartment in Northwest DC, cooking a Blue Apron meal together. On the afternoon of the date, Natasha received a text from Tyler: “Bad news…” Assuming the worst, she then got another message: “…Blue Apron forgot to pack the rice for the meal. Do you have any?”

“Armed with a Ziplock bag of rice (enough to feed far more than two people), Natasha headed to the Van Ness metro station to meet Tyler first before going to his place to cook. Since you’re reading this on our wedding website, it’s clear that date went well. Over the following months, we shared recipes, watched TV shows, and took Tyler’s dog, Arya, on long walks through Chevy Chase and hikes in Rock Creek Park. Natasha fell for Arya first and then for Tyler soon after.

“Over the past couple of years, we’ve traveled, met each other’s friends and family, explored coffee shops and restaurants around DC, and bought our first house in Silver Spring, MD.

“In October 2023, we went to Berkeley Springs, WV, for a quiet fall getaway. On a rainy Saturday, while watching a cringeworthy proposal on Love is Blind (one of our favorite trashy TV shows), Tyler was inspired and proposed. Natasha said yes immediately.”

The Wedding

Natasha and Tyler’s wedding was absolutely perfect. We had so much fun with them all day. We started off at their home, less than a mile from the gardens where they were married, where they both got ready for the day ahead. While Natasha had her hair and makeup done, Tyler played Crazy Eights with his friends with their sweet pup Arya underfoot. After a sweet first look, we headed over to Brookside for pictures with the gorgeous spring blooms. They were married in the Yew Garden, with cocktail hour in the Fragrance Garden (aptly named, it smelled SO AMAZING). And we ended the night with S’mores and yard games after dark outside the visitor’s center. This day was absolutely perfect and I’m excited to share highlights on the blog today!