I photograph weddings for others and enjoy every last minute of it, I love being in the midst of a joyful, in love and well wishing group of people on the happiest of days. It’s truly the happiest and most rewarding job I can think of ever having.  And until my very own brothers wedding I thought what I felt was equal to the guests of the weddings I photograph, I was pleasantly surprised to find what I thought couldn’t get any better, did.

What is a wedding… two souls in love with one another, vowing in front of their family and friends to spend their lives together, respecting, caring and being the best person they can be for each other. It’s also a joining of families, whether near or far, one family welcoming a new daughter, the other welcoming a new son. It’s a time for celebration and sometimes (as in this case) the perfect opportunity to gather your loved ones from all over the globe in one spot. That is exactly what Adam & Sarah did. Friends and family came from across the country, even across the globe to witness their union. Adam is my little brother and Sarah now my new sister and I couldn’t be happier that they found each other for she is sweet, kind and adores him and he is utterly in love…who wouldn’t want that for their little brother?

And Sarah’s family, I can’t even begin to describe their kindness. They welcomed us with big open hearts and made us feel at home, while being 3000 miles from our homes. I am so grateful to them and I am so happy that Adam has such a wonderful family he is now a part of.

Because this wedding is so near and dear to my  heart, I posted a ton of images. I couldn’t help myself! It was an odd feeling to have taken the photographs AND experience the feeling of receiving photographs that are now a part of my family’s history… that I took. Haha it was somewhat surreal to be honest.  This is my experience as the sister of the groom, trying really hard to not cry during the ceremony, as the sister whose heart soars to see my all of my siblings  grown and together again after so much time apart on such a momentous occasion, as the sister excited to gain a new sister that fits like a glove into our silly group and the sister that got to make what will one day be family heirlooms for her own family.

Lucky me ♥

The wedding took place in beautiful Virginia, I definitely plan on going back soon… the history just oozes from the buildings and the beauty of the landscape takes your breath away. I hope you enjoy the images, I know I will for the rest of my days. xoxo

Adam & Sarah met at this karaoke bar in Old Town Alexandria Virginia, this was her only request of the day! LOVE HER for this shot! So much fun and such a great part of their love story! (if you are ever in Old Town Alexandria you must go here, it is a BLAST!)

And these last two photos just tickle me pink! They’re for our families… I’ll explain.

On the left is brother Chris (best man, twin brother to the groom Adam). During rehearsal the Father kept telling the boys “bow to ze alter!” when they walked in, cracking everyone up. The boys taking it seriously bowed energetically, the Father had to remind them they were bowing to the Lord, NOT their sensei, causing us to all fall out laughing. Soooo during the ceremony, Chris took it upon himself to bow like a proper English gentleman, causing me to giggle inappropriately in church ;)

On the right, the bride and groom just finished their first kiss and the Father is jokingly chastising them for taking too much liberty in their ‘church kiss’ … causing the entire crowd to giggle inappropriately in church. Yay, I’m not the only one ;)

Everyone involved in this wedding was amazing… I’ve never attended a church wedding with so much joyful laughter instigated by the Father. The flowers, the coordinator, the hair and make-up artists all out of this world kind and did a beautiful job! Oh and the reason I have no images past the ceremony is that they hired a reception photographer, so that I could enjoy that time as a guest, what a treat!!!

Sarah & Adam made a donation in the names of their guests to a foundation that is near and dear to Sarah’s family, Parkinson’s Disease Foundation of the National Capital Area. They were featured in the Washington Post as well!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read all of this and take in the images… I appreciate your time!

Details & contact info below:

Ceremony: Historic St. Mary of Sorrows  http://www.stmaryofsorrows.org  // Wedding Coordinator: Felicia Owens-Smith of Celebrations Made Simple www.celebrationsmadesimple.com  // Brides bouquet: family heirlooms and estate sale pieces put together by bride and mother of the bride // Flowers: Conklyn’s Florist www.conklyns.com // Make-up: Faces by Sam suzanneminskey.com // Hair: Bubbles of Fairfax Corner www.bubblessalons.com // Grooms Suit: his own // Brides Dress: Vera Wang // Brides Shoes: Enzo Angiolini //