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
