Drama is something you normally want to stay far far away from on your wedding day. Jessica and Katie welcomed it. They got married under and in it. Theatre lighting cast unusual shadows and bright spots, dancing across the brides faces through the whole ceremony. Thick velvet drapes hung not too far away, showcasing the uniqueness of Wolf Trap as a venue. It’s 10 minutes away from my childhood home and I would go to plays there very very occasionally. Excited to see the production, the costume, and the style.

As Katie and Jessica’s family sat in a circle chair arrangement, I skulked away, shooting from a very different view point than I normally get. I could go up high in the rafters or from three different openings in the circle. But it allowed me to get closer to more guests than I usually do because I don’t like going too far up an aisle. I like to preserve the sacredness of ceremonies. But I kept passing new guests, new friends and family members who each had something very different as their reaction. Some were choked up. Some couldn’t stop laughing because, let’s face it, if you know Katie, you know your going to laugh when she’s around. Some were bouncing kids up and down on their laps. And I loved that. All the differences. All together in this one room.

Jennifer Luu, their officiant, gave them the go. They could kiss. I promptly shoo’d them away like we planned for them to have a few moments to soak up being married. And they ended up being some of my favorite shots, my long long lens on so I couldn’t hear what they actually said. Which I now kinda love hardcore and might try to convince every couple to do that. That ‘WOW’ expression from Jessica just makes me laugh and feel happy at the same time. And backing me up the whole time was Amber Wilkie.

The rain held for awhile, allowing us to tip toe around Woodlawn Manor and enjoy all the hidden secret places this historic venue had to offer. And there were horses. Yes, horses. I had to laugh and tell them that a recent guest post on So You’re EnGAYged had talked about how there were more horses in wedding magazines than gay people. In fact, there were 8 horses and no gay people out of the dozens of wedding magazines the author had looked at. So take that wedding magazines!! I got horses AND a gay couple in one shot

Meighan and Christina were kinda onslaught by love during the toasts. It seemed a toast couldn’t go by without a memory shared that made the tent seem to sigh with happiness or luck or thankfulness for the coming together of these two women. Many family shared stories of all the pushing and stubbornness of Meighan and Christina to figure out who they were so they could be there at that exact moment. Having just celebrated their commitment in front of all the people telling stories, toasting, and dancing. And before everyone could break down and sob happy tears (though, the last toast had about 80% of the crowd there), it was time to dance. To eat some pie. To watch people *really* really try to get those bouquets!!

It felt a bit like a mystery novel as I drove up to Woodlawn Manor. It was lightly raining and a slight mist had taken over the fields. I had seen pictures, but right there in front of me was a horse happily chewing on some delicious grass. So I knew I was in the right place. Dresses and wellies on, Meighan and Christina got ready for their first look. I’m actually going to do a full blog post *just* about their first look with an amazing sequence of pictures because it was that good. Christina had her dress hiked up us she approached Meighan, keeping the wet ground well away. Meighan turned and it was like an electric current went through the air. The hair was standing up on my arms as I watched them hold each other, cry and laugh. I love energy like that. The I’m-connected-to-the-universe feeling because everything is right.

Bunting. Yay flags. Amazing doors to mark the spot of the ceremony. It all just added to the immensity as Meighan and Christina were bound together by a hand-fasting ceremony. They literally got to tie the knot! Friends and family wove those ribbons really really high and long as they walked down the aisle again, married. And just like that, we went into the fields to do couple’s shots. Yup, you gotta wait till tomorrow to see them and the rest of the wedding.

Makeup: Belle Soeur - Hair: Cheryl Griggs - Venue: Woodlawn Manor

Amanda and Brianne braved the rain to head out to the Norwalk courthouse- that legal paper making everything official was waiting there for them. And I’m SOOO excited and want to wish Amanda and Brianne an amazing wedding is Tennessee this weekend: I hope all your friends and family rally behind you this weekend and you show that marriage certificate off