“She is the happiest bride I’ve ever seen!” said a guest after Christ and Jacob’s joyful and classic wedding this past weekend. And she’s right – Christa had a smile on her face all day and you could feel her joy at getting to finally marry Jacob.

You might recognize them from an engagement session earlier this year in DC and at Gravelly Point Park in Arlington, VA – we had as much fun this weekend as we did at that session! The weather at the wedding was perfect and we couldn’t have asked for a better day.

Our day started at Marymount University, with the ladies getting ready in the Main House on campus. It provides a historic background, as the house was built in 1920 and is original to the property that the university sits upon today.

Christa and Jacob chose to have a sweet moment before their ceremony to pray together without seeing each other. It’s always one of my favorite moments of the day – to know why they’re going into this ceremony together, and see their commitment to each other and to their faith in a private moment before the whirlwind of the rest of the day

Technically, Christa and Jacob weren’t announced as husband and wife with their “big kiss” until later but during the sign of peace (after they said their vows and exchanged rings) they shared a kiss which *could* be considered their first kiss… and I got the shot! 😉

After the ceremony and greeting the guests outside the chapel, the wedding party was whisked away in a stretch limo to travel to their reception at Holly Hills Country Club in Frederick, MD.

And then…. party time! From a choreographed first dance to cake shoved in faces, it was a night full of grins, tears, and laughter in the cozy ballroom at Holly Hills Country Club.

And then came the end of the night and the big sendoff… and they made it big! Jacob came SPRINTING through the line with Christa in his arms, to the cheer and laughter and waving of their remaining guests. Then they hopped in the car and headed out for home, and their “mystery honeymoon” (which I cannot WAIT to hear more about)!

Christa and Jacob, thank you for letting me be part of your big day! It was romantic, joyful, and everything a wedding day should be. I can’t wait to show you the rest of your gallery soon!