Katie and Shawn were married on his family’s farm in Frederick,
Maryland on a mid-November day. It was one of those days that fell
between autumn and winter. Orange and red leaves danced on nearly
naked branches while the brisk air urged you to hold tight to a loved one’s hand.
A silver sky set the perfect backdrop for this dazzling day.
The girls got ready at Katie’s best friend’s house,
while the guys got ready at Shawn’s. Katie did her own make-up
and made a joke about already having smile lines…
which is one truly unmistakable thing about this couple—
Let us warn you now, if you spend any bit of time with them,
prepare for some sore cheeks, as their smiles are contagious.
Meanwhile back at the farm, Shawn was in the sunroom
putting the finishing touches on his US Marine Corps “dress blues.”
There really is nothing quite like military formal-wear, it’s stunning!
The girls drove over to the farm and finished getting ready,
and then took turns with the guys braving the cold for pictures
prior to the ceremony. Shawn and Katie did not have a first look
but instead prepared letters for one another to read,
just one last “I love you” before the ceremony.
The ceremony was held inside of a ruby red barn.
White lights glimmered behind gold curtains, while sunflowers
sat atop hay bales at the end of the aisle. Katie and Shawn exchanged
beautifully handwritten vows, their boundless love
and unabated happiness toward one another
truly warms the soul. It was a beautiful ceremony for a lovely couple.
Shortly after, we coerced Shawn & Katie into hopping
into a pick-up truck to drive to the pond for pictures,
using the heated truck as bribery to slip away for a few minutes.
They stood at the end of the dock, hand in hand,
enjoying their first few moments alone as husband and wife.
The clouds hung a bit lower now, almost as if to get
a peak of the newlyweds. And all of a sudden, out of no where it started to snow!
It was like something out of a dream.
The reception was held in a tent just outside of the barn.
Picture this: sunflowers, burlap, barbecue, handmade cake,
and an entire table dedicated to sweets and treats.
The dance floor always refilling itself with joyful friends and family.
With two radiant people like Shawn and Katie
you can’t help but be your happiest self when you’re around them.
In fact…we are still smiling exactly one week later. Congrats you two!
