This blog post is entirely too long. There are far too many photos and guess what – I don’t really care. Because Katherine and Alexander’s wedding in Leesburg was absolutely beautiful and I just can’t bear to skip out on showing off all the stunning details, tender moments, breathtaking portraits, and other amazing moments from throughout their wedding day!

My day started with the ladies at the house on the property of the Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyard in Leesburg, Virginia. It’s a classic Northern Virginia wedding venue with a little bit of a rustic vibe, but still so classy and full of beautiful light in the morning. Katherine had tons of sweet details like her jewelry, an embroidered handkerchief, and an heirloom rosary that she carried with her gorgeous spring bouquet from Vows and Vines Events (which also did coordination for the wedding day). Her bridesmaids had classic blush pink gowns in a variety of styles and they so sweetly helped her with buttons and fluffing her train and fixing her veil. Katherine was easily one of the most beautiful brides I’ve seen, and her hair and makeup by JSL Visions fit her timeless look perfectly. I loved all the lace details on her dress, which was a modest gown with lace sleeves, a sheer lace back, and a perfectly-sized train to give a classic bridal look. Top it off with a veil with a blusher (that she actually used! swoon!) and we have a picture-perfect, timeless bride.

The ceremony was my first Traditional Latin Mass so that was a unique experience that I appreciated a lot! As a Catholic wedding photographer it makes my heart especially happy to celebrate with couples who share my faith and take the sacrament of marriage so seriously, and these families certainly made that evident in the solemnity and beauty of the wedding mass at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church’s Chapel of Immaculate Conception in Leesburg, Virginia. I was able to photograph another wedding at this historic chapel just a few months ago for Olivia and Joe’s wedding so I was well familiar with the advantage of the choir loft, rich warm tones of the sacred space, and small size of the chapel overall. I certainly appreciated the prior experience photographing in this somewhat difficult but absolutely beautiful ceremony space!

Because the Traditional Latin Mass wedding ceremony doesn’t end in the typical first kiss and celebratory recession, Katherine and Alexander shared a sweet moment for their first kiss as husband and wife on the steps of the chapel. They’re just the most romantic and in-love couple and it was a special moment to be able to witness as it obviously hit them both at that moment that they’re actually married!

We moved back over to The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyard for their wedding party portraits, bride and groom portraits, and reception. We had absolutely perfect weather at an overall comfortable temperature, partly cloudy skies and stunning golden hour light that sang its praises around the newlyweds and brought some of my best wedding portraits to date. It helps to have such a good-looking couple, too!

The reception was full of laughter, dancing, and tender moments. The maid of honor gave one of the most heartfelt speeches I’ve ever heard, and the best man gave one of the funniest. The room was completely full of joy and laughter and love for Katherine and Alexander, and ended perfectly with a sparkler sendoff. It couldn’t have been a better wedding day!