A Joyful Loudoun County Wedding at Corpus Christi Catholic Church and Shadow Creek

Weddings

Kirn and Joey’s Loudoun County wedding was a beautiful blend of reverence, joy, heartfelt prayer, and a reception full of laughter. Their day began in historic downtown Leesburg, continued with a sacred Catholic ceremony at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Aldie, VA, and ended with a lively celebration at Shadow Creek in Purcellville.

It was the kind of wedding day that held both quiet, prayerful moments and wonderfully joyful chaos. There were tears in the sacristy, golden sunlight outside the barn doors, a cathedral veil catching the breeze, one very charming horse named Gus, and a toast that had the entire room roaring with laughter.

Getting Ready for a Loudoun County Wedding

The day began in historic downtown Leesburg, where Kirn and her bridal party were getting ready at a charming AirBnB. Kirn looked like an actual princess once she was in her gown. Truly. Her wedding coordinator, Marielena, even joked that I should edit little forest animals into her portraits like Snow White, which felt wildly accurate in the best possible way.

A Catholic Wedding Ceremony at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Aldie, VA

After getting ready, everyone headed to Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Aldie, VA for Kirn and Joey’s wedding ceremony. Corpus Christi is one of my favorite churches for a Loudoun County wedding. It truly has such a beautiful balance of new and traditional. Construction finished in 2021, but the church already carries so many elements that make a Catholic church feel timeless: soaring ceilings, stone details, and a deep sense of reverence throughout the sanctuary. I photographed Sarah and Ed’s wedding at Corpus Christi Catholic Church shortly after the church first opened and fell in love!

Before the ceremony began, Joey and his groomsmen shared a beautiful moment of prayer together in the sacristy. It was one of those quiet, sacred moments that seemed to hold the weight of the whole day. There were more than a few tears all around, and it was such a moving reminder that this celebration was rooted in something far deeper than the details.

The ceremony itself was reverent and beautiful. Kirn and Joey’s love for each other, their families, and their faith was so clear from the very beginning. I always feel especially honored to photograph Catholic weddings because the ceremony is not just a pretty backdrop. It’s the heart of the day, the sacrament, the reason everyone has gathered.

The Sweetest First Kiss Moment

One of my favorite moments of the whole ceremony happened right at the end. When it was time for Kirn and Joey’s first kiss, the priest gave the cue just a little too subtly for Kirn. Instead of going straight in for the kiss, she gave Joey a modest “Christian side hug” before realizing what was happening.

Then came the kiss.

And immediately afterward, Kirn laughed out loud at the sweetness and absurdity of the moment. Within seconds, everyone in the church was gently laughing along with her. It was innocent, joyful, and so completely them. The kind of moment you could never script, and the kind that makes a wedding day feel alive.

After their sweet kiss, Kirn and Joey exited the church with huge smiles – but not before stopping halfway down the aisle for a stunning dip kiss. It was such a perfect transition from the reverence of the ceremony into the joyful celebration waiting for them.

Bride and Groom Portraits Inside Corpus Christi Catholic Church

Some of my favorite portraits from Kirn and Joey’s wedding day were taken inside Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

Everyone loves romantic candid portraits outside, and of course we made time for those too. But there is something incredibly special about a well-lit portrait of the bride and groom standing in front of the altar on their wedding day. For Catholic couples especially, those images carry so much meaning. They are not just portraits in a pretty space. They are portraits in the place where they became husband and wife.

This is also why I bring external lighting gear specifically for church portraits. Beautiful wedding photography is not just about knowing how to use natural light. It is also about knowing when to enhance a meaningful moment with the right equipment so the final image reflects the beauty of what actually happened. As an experienced Catholic wedding photographer, I’ve seen firsthand several times the power of this addition to the day!

For Kirn and Joey, those altar portraits felt sacred, elegant, and full of genuine romance. They are some of my favorite church wedding portraits I have ever taken.

Shadow Creek Wedding Reception in Purcellville, VA

After the ceremony, everyone made their way to Shadow Creek in Purcellville, VA for portraits and the reception. Shadow Creek is such a classic Loudoun County wedding venue, especially for couples who want a secluded countryside setting with a refined barn reception. I photographed Natalie and Joey’s Shadow Creek wedding last year and had been eager to return after such a gorgeous celebration.

We started with wedding party and bride and groom portraits outside the iconic black and white barn doors. The sun was absolutely a main character in these photos. Everything felt bright, joyful, and full of movement, with a few perfectly placed sun flares adding the prettiest pop of color.

Kirn’s cathedral veil made the portraits feel even more romantic. Between the glowing light, the clean lines of the barn doors, and the softness of her veil, the whole portrait time had such a cinematic quality.

And of course, Kirn and Joey could not finish portraits without taking a few photos with Gus the horse. Gus was a fun addition to cocktail hour for guests, and honestly, he is a major bonus to having a Shadow Creek wedding. A wedding day with a horse appearance? Always memorable.

An Elegant Barn Reception with Live Music and So Much Laughter

Inside Shadow Creek, the classic wooden barn was beautifully draped in white fabric, which added such an elegant softness to the reception space. It was the perfect setting for Kirn and Joey’s celebration – warm, welcoming, and full of energy.

After their sweet first dance and dinner, Joey’s brothers gave a toast that no one will be forgetting anytime soon. They came prepared with bald caps to match the groom, and the entire room erupted in laughter. It was hilarious, affectionate, and exactly the kind of personal touch that makes a reception feel unforgettable.

Then the always-fantastic Bachelor Boys Band kicked off the dance floor with incredible live music. The energy shifted immediately into full celebration mode, and guests were on their feet in no time. It was the perfect ending to a day that had already held so much joy.

A Sacred and Joyful Loudoun County Wedding Day

Kirn and Joey’s wedding was such a beautiful reminder that a wedding day can be both deeply reverent and wildly joyful. Their Corpus Christi Catholic Church wedding was sacred and prayerful, while their Shadow Creek wedding reception was full of laughter, live music, and the kind of celebration that makes you want to stay on the dance floor all night.

It was such a joy to photograph a Loudoun County wedding that honored the beauty of the sacrament while still leaving so much room for personality, laughter, and genuine celebration.

Kirn and Joey, thank you for letting me be part of this beautiful day. Your wedding was sacred and joyful in every sense, and it was such an honor to capture it.

Planning a Loudoun County wedding for yourself? Reach out to see if Beauty of the Soul Studio might be the right fit for your photography!

FAQ: Planning a Loudoun County Catholic Wedding

Where did Kirn and Joey get married?

Kirn and Joey had their Catholic wedding ceremony at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Aldie, Virginia. Their reception took place at Shadow Creek in Purcellville, Virginia. Both locations are perfect for a Loudoun County wedding.

Is Corpus Christi Catholic Church a good ceremony location for wedding photos?

Yes. Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Aldie is a beautiful location for Catholic wedding photos. The church has soaring ceilings, stone details, and a reverent sanctuary that photographs beautifully, especially with thoughtful lighting and a photographer who understands church ceremony restrictions.

Where is Shadow Creek located?

Shadow Creek is located in Purcellville, Virginia, in Loudoun County. It is known for its countryside setting, classic barn reception space, and iconic black and white barn doors that are especially lovely for wedding portraits.

What makes Loudoun County a beautiful place for a wedding?

Loudoun County offers a wonderful mix of historic towns, Catholic churches, vineyard views, countryside venues, and elegant barn receptions. For couples who want a wedding day that feels classic, scenic, and rooted in Northern Virginia charm, it is a beautiful place to celebrate. We have an entire blog post dedicated to highlighting the best wedding venues in Loudoun County!

Do you photograph Catholic weddings in Loudoun County?

Yes. I photograph Catholic weddings throughout Loudoun County and Northern Virginia, including Nuptial Masses and church ceremonies. As a Catholic wedding photographer, I love helping couples preserve the sacred, emotional, and joyful parts of their wedding day with care.