Sabrina + David | Wilkes Street Tunnel Engagement

Love makes the world go round. That's what I wrote on the sign next to our wedding guest book globe.

When I think of this sweet couple's relationship, it's more love shared across the world. Sabrina & David first laid eyes on each other in ... Ethiopia! That's right! When Sabrina left Virginia to study sustainable farming overseas, she had no idea that God had also lined up a meeting of her future husband, too. Isn't God the coolest? His love stories are always so much better than anything we could ever dream up. 

I met Sabrina at our church last fall & immediately liked her personable personality (she makes you feel like you've been friends for years!) & admired her heart for the Lord. When we first met to discuss their upcoming spring wedding several months ago, David actually wasn't even in America at the time! Because of the length of process & steps involved with David moving to America after their engagement in Ethiopia, we weren't even sure when we could take pictures! Or when the for-sure wedding date would be!

If any of you brides have planned a wedding in another state or back home, you'll know how much communication & diligence goes into working out all the vendors, finalizing appointments & catering tastings without actually being there. Now imagine not even KNOWING when your GROOM would be in the same time zone as you!!

Throughout it all, Sabrina & David remained steadfast in their hope & faith in the Lord. Though they primarily communicated through Skype or over the phone during the whole process, they continued to walk by faith & not by sight. Our church community, Small Group ladies & family/friends everywhere prayed for many weeks that ALL the logistics of David's move would come together. And they did!!! Praise the Lord! Dean & I got to shoot with the now reunited couple on a snowy Saturday in Old Town down by the Wilkes Street Tunnel. We loved the beautiful light streaming on the couple who was so romantic & playful throughout. David, we're SO glad you're here! It's been awesome seeing you & Sabrina together & the way you make her smile. We can hardly wait for this March :) 

Lara + Dan: Alexandria Seminary Wedding

Right here, on the Virginia Theological Seminary campus, is where Lara & Dan first laid eyes on each other. So it was such a special joy to meet there for their engagement photos & then also come back to VTS for their beautiful fall ceremony. These two are a blast! And their commitment to one another is in-cred-i-ble. After they began dating long distance in 2012, they would take turns flying to visit every month.

Except when they were both serving the Lord on missions trips. That month, the couple filled a journal with their thoughts, memories & love, later exchanging them after they were back together again. And Lara's gorgeous ring (seen in the photos below) is one Dan actually had made from a stone he got in Miramar, Southeast Asia, where they had both served before. SO sweet!

The ring didn't come in the mail until the very DAY that Dan was set to propose to Lara. Lara, sensing his upcoming proposal, made sure to get her nails painted (smart girl!) before she flew to visit. She was actually in the mailroom when the ring package was delivered but the mail woman was sneaky enough to get it to Dan without her noticing. After a wonderful dinner out in Old Town, they headed back to Aspinwall Hall Bell Tower, the tallest overlook on campus. They had always wanted to check out the view from the top but it wasn't until that night that Dan proposed with the beautiful ring that they got to check out the view of DC together :)

Hanging out with Lara & Dan is the best! Every time we met it was as if we'd been friends for years - they are such a friendly, kind & hilariously funny duo! And although the weather was looking to bring a big thunderstorm right before their wedding, tons of friends & family helped to set up the gorgeous traditional liturgy ceremony inside. Enter lots of photographer shimmies right here - the rain held off on us after that we knocked out family portraits, bridal party & couple portraits without getting drenched! Is God good or is He GOOD?!

How gorgeous are those pearls?? They are her something borrowed (from her mother, passed on from her grandmother) & the love note is from her parents many years ago. Love the heirlooms shared through the generations!

Absolutely, hands DOWN one my favorites of these two!!

Lara & Dan,

You both bring so much life into any room. Your devotion to each other & the Lord are a wonderful testimony of what true love looks like. And you throw one killer party! Thank you for letting me capture these special moments of your day!

Vendors:

Ceremony: Virginia Theological Seminary

Reception: Virginia Theological Seminary Refectory and Scott Lounge

Bride's dress: David's Bridal

Groomsmen attire: Henderson's & Jos A. Banks

Catering: Meriwether-Godsey

Wedding cake: The Happy Tart

Invitations: Vistaprint

Sabrina + David: sneak peek

Goodness gracious, y'all, was it a-snowing here in Virginia this weekend! With the threat of winter flurries & storm advisories coming our way, Sabrina & I decided to pray for the snow to hold off & stick with our Saturday morning shoot in Old Town.

Dean & I had an awesome time laughing with Sabrina & David plus snapping tons of lovey-dovey shots of the two. And JUST, I mean just seconds after taking the last shots, the snow really started coming down. Isn't awesome how the Lord hears the needs of His children & answers our prayers?

Sabrina & David, you two are the sweetest together. Despite the chilly weather, y'all were such troopers & gave it your all. Which totally shows. Speaking of answered prayers, halleLUjah that you are both in the same country now after months of faithful prayer, long-distance phone calls & Skype time. We can't wait for your spring wedding!

Lara + Dan: Old Town engagement

This couple. What a joy to hang with the future Mr. & Mrs. Stroud! Since our initial phone conversation, it's been *so* fun to chat with them about life, the Lord & their wedding. Since Lara & I are both brides-to-be, we've been able to share with each other's excitement about finding wedding day shoes & sending out all the invitations YAY! Their wedding is early next month - & we wandered through Old Town, ending up at the spot where they had their first date (SO precious!). We finished our early morning session at the Virginia Theological Seminary, where their wedding will be held. It's also where they both attended & met for the very first time. 

And a black & white fave. Ahhhh!

Laura + Charlie: brunching with friends

Hey, can y'all just go sit on that bench over there for a second? 

...and other things I asked my awesome friends Laura & Charlie. They are such a beautiful couple - inside & out with hearts dedicated to serving the Lord.

Mr D & I got to hang out with Laura & Charlie a few weekends ago. We squeezed into a tiny table meant for 2 (3 max!) at Jack's Place. Such a fun time eating delicious omelettes, talking about board games & discussing money trees. As in a small tree with $$ attached. Thanks to Laura's grandma, she had crimped bow ties of dollar bills to pay for the meal. 

Yay for a wonderful afternoon together & for great friends!