In my nearly five years of being a D.C. wedding photographer, I’ve come to really appreciate the gorgeous architecture and style of Catholic cathedrals around the city. Not only do they make for such beautiful church wedding venues in D.C., they also seem to make ceremonies feel more reverent and sacred. Ian and Sarah’s classic Catholic D.C. wedding was one such example.

From the beauty of the Basilica School of Saint Mary to the simplicity and intimacy of their high tea style reception, every detail was so intentionally planned and seamlessly representative of Ian and Sarah’s story.

For this wedding, I served as Alex Crawford‘s second shooter. The entire day, we worked like ninjas to get all the inspired images you see below… and something just told us in those moments that this couple was born for Black & White. Not sure if it was their elegant & gracious personalities or the style of the venue and Sarah’s dress. Whatever the reason, we both felt we were on set for an Old Hollywood film.

Lessons you can learn for planning your own D.C. Wedding

1. Don’t miss out on having your photographer take styled groom details! Ian’s memories were so beautifully captured just by taking a little time to honor each sentimental piece of his attire.
2. Make the ceremony truly yours! Sarah and Ian wanted to share their Catholic faith and the beauty of its culture with their loved ones. To do this, they held a mostly Latin ceremony and took advantage of every segment of a traditional Catholic ceremony.
3. Even church basements can be used to make romantic wedding photos! (especially if your photographer knows how to capture it in an editorial way… and especially edited in black and white.) Wanting a simple, intimate reception, Sarah and Ian still twirled around the plain church basement. And their joy was all the decor that place needed to light up!
4. Just because your venue is in one part of the city, doesn’t mean you can’t take portraits elsewhere! Sarah had always envisioned romantic wedding portraits near the Dumbarton Oaks Museum gate, and around Georgetown. Thanks to a flexible timeline, we made it happen… and the results were magic.

Groom Details & Groomsmen Getting Ready Photos

A Sentimental, Classic Catholic D.C. Wedding Ceremony at the Basilica School of Saint Mary

Classic Catholic D.C. Wedding Portraits Inside the Basilica School of Saint Mary

A High Tea Inspired Catholic D.C. Wedding Reception at the Basilica School of Saint Mary

Wedding Portraits near Dumbarton Oaks Museum | Georgetown Wedding

Thanks for viewing my work!! I hope you enjoyed it… if so, here are a few other posts I think you should check out next:

• 20+ Prettiest Estate Wedding Venues in Virginia
• Wayde & Kayla’s Enchanting Winter Wedding at the Barn at Timber Creek
• Wesley & Alexis’s Spring Elopement at Carlyle House | Old Town Alexandria Wedding
• Hunter & Kimmie’s Romantic Winter Poplar Springs Manor Wedding | Northern VA Wedding
• John & Theresa’s Art Deco Inspired Branch Museum Wedding
• Richard & Emily’s Vintage Inspired Richmond Wedding at Jefferson Hotel and Country Club of Virginia