If you know me, you know I have a special love for church weddings.  Emily and Erik decided to celebrate their wedding at St. James Catholic Church – which was a little extra special because it’s the church that my fiance Peter grew up attending, and that we’ve been going to most often for the last year.  In fact, Em was Peter’s youth minister when he was in high school!

The day was full of sunny yellows and gorgeous blues, an enormous crowd of celebrating friends (seriously, they filled the entire church with guests), and no shortage of fun and “Treat Yo Self” moments – all before dinner!  Did I mention it was a brunch wedding? YUM!

It’s always beautiful to see a bride walk down the aisle, but it’s extra touching when her groom is visibly emotional at seeing her.  Em and Erik did not elect to do a first look before the ceremony – a tradition I can appreciate, and that makes for such a touching moment to start the ceremony. 

There were a total of 8 priests celebrating the wedding.  I think you could say that they had some holy nuptials!  As youth ministers and teachers in the Diocese of Arlington, and as lay members of a group called Youth Apostles, these two are well-connected in the Catholic world.

Another highlight of the day was near the end of the reception, when a friend of the bride and groom performed a lip sync serenade for the happy couple!

The favorite shot of the day had to be the ribbon sendoff after the reception.  Rarely do we have the opportunity to photograph a sendoff that occurs in the middle of the day, when there’s enough light to see ribbons and people without additional lighting.  It’s now one of my favorite images!