Erin and Jack’s Murray Hill wedding day was the perfect mix of reverence and celebration. I had the honor of being the hired associate photographer for Nikayla & Co Associates for this wedding day. Many Nikayla & Co couples seem to be the most outwardly joyful. Erin and Jack’s day was no different! Photographing these two felt like being invited into a story that was both deeply personal and wildly fun all at once.

Getting Ready for a St. John the Beloved Wedding

Instead of the usual hotel suite, Erin got ready at her grandmother’s house – and it was the sweetest setting. Her dress hung on the front door, with her veil draped beside a painting. Her ring rested cheekily on the vintage statue of Our Lady of La Vang. Erin put on her dress in an unassuming bedroom, and final touches in the living room with her grandmother. It was a reminder that wedding details don’t always need a styled backdrop to be beautiful. Rather, they tell a story wherever they are.

When we arrived at St. John the Beloved for the bridesmaids’ first look, the energy instantly kicked up a notch. Erin stepped out in her gown, and her girls absolutely lost it – hands over mouths, happy tears, squeals echoing against brick walls. You could certainly feel how much they adored her. Instead of a first look with Jack, Erin and Jack chose a first touch. They stood back-to-back under trees bursting with fall color, reading letters aloud and praying together. It was quiet and steady, yet so moving. I swear you could almost feel the electricity as their encounter left them even more eager for the rest of the day to begin.

A Sacred and Joyful St. John the Beloved Wedding Ceremony

Their St. John the Beloved wedding ceremony was one for the books. Erin walked down the aisle with both of her parents, and Jack couldn’t hold back tears as he saw her. They celebrated a Nuptial Mass ad orientem, and the sanctuary was full of reverence. This church is one of my favorites to photograph because of its unique design. With the altar set in the center, I was able to move quietly all around the space. That meant everything from wide shots of the sanctuary to the perfect view of the couple receiving communion – all without ever interrupting the flow of the liturgy.

Golden Hour Portraits and a Murray Hill Wedding Celebration

After family portraits at the church, we made the drive out to Loudoun County for their Murray Hill wedding reception. The timing could not have been better – just as we stepped into the gardens, the sun dropped low and everything was bathed in golden hour glow. Erin’s joy was written across every frame – laughing, twirling, and pulling Jack close while the last of the sunlight caught in her veil.

Guests enjoyed cocktails on the grassy bluff overlooking the hills, and it felt like everyone lingered just a little longer to soak in that view. Once it was time to head into the barn, the celebration shifted into full party mode. String lights draped along the back wall, uplighting filled the room with color, and the dance floor was packed all night. From Erin and Jack’s first dance to the cake cutting (complete with laughter and a little frosting on the nose), the whole evening sparkled. Erin surprised everyone by changing into a silky slip dress that felt like the perfect exclamation point to their celebration.

As a Loudoun County wedding photographer, this day was such a beautiful reminder of why I love what I do. Erin and Jack’s Murray Hill wedding blended sacred reverence with joyful celebration in a way that felt entirely their own. And I’m so grateful I got to capture every second of it.

For more Catholic wedding inspiration, check out:

• Gretchen and Dakota’s wedding at Immaculate Conception Church in DC
• Sydney and Nick’s university chapel wedding in Arlington, VA
• Sarah and Nick’s wedding at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Reston, VA

And for more Loudoun County wedding venues, check out our guide here!