You may remember this couple from just last week when I photographed their BEAUTIFUL engagement session! What a beautiful wedding from start to finish! I couldn’t believe the day was over as I started to pack up my equipment for the night. I have fallen in love with the families! I was acquainted with Matt’s family through Scott and Ellie‘s wedding back in June of last year. To see this lovely family again and to meet Esther’s family was a blessing! They are such a heartwarming, happy and fun bunch! Matt and Esther were beaming their special day!!! So happy and anxious as they waited for the time to walk down the aisle. As soon as Matt saw Esther walk towards him in front of their family and friends, it was obvious how overcome he was by her beauty! What an amazing experience as a wedding photographer to experience these feelings my couple is going through. I really strive to get to know my couples on a personal level so I’m not JUST a wedding photographer … so there were many tears on their special day as I felt a humble connection to these two. Couldn’t be happier for you both!!
Matt & Esther’s Love Story
Matthew and Esther met by mutual friends, who were Esther’s roommates at the time, in February 2009. When they first met they were immediately attracted to one another, but because Esther was in a different relationship, Matt was the gentleman and waited. Esther broke off the relationship she was in, but because she was unaware of Matt’s feelings towards her, she started yet another relationship with someone else! So Matt waited again for her to be available. Four months later, the day after she broke off the second relationship, Matthew made his move and made his affections known. In 2011, they got engaged, but God had a different plan for them. They broke off the engagement and worked on building a relationship with God that would be the foundation of a future marriage. After counseling and setting their hearts on the path God intended for them, they decided that God must still intend them for each other and on September 29, 2013, got engaged again.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 – ” Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Fleamarket, cupcakes, then a picnic at the botanical gardens in DC. That was their Saturday plans for September 29th last year. What she didn’t know is that this particular day would start another adventure! After they finished up at the flea market, Matt was nervous that his plans might not work out to his advantage. Esther’s plans at the flea market didn’t work out as the seller was being unreasonable. What guy wants to propose to his girl when she’s upset? He asked her if she still wanted to stick around Georgetown or just go home. She said that they should still go to get cupcakes (a good pick-me-up) and then they could decide from there. So they made their way over to the bakery. Once they were starting to get in the line, Matt said that he was going to talk to them real quick and that he’d be right back. Distracted by her own personal menu of cupcakes in her hand and thinking that he would be asking them about the ingredients they used in their baked goods (he’s allergic to tree nuts), Esther acknowledged him with a dismissive half-wave. There were more important matters at hand, like which version of eight different chocolate cupcakes she would like. A few moments later, Matt was walking back to Esther with a shopping bag that had a full box of cupcakes with a big grin on his face. Esther was surprised and asked how he managed to get a whole bag of cupcakes! He said that he had called ahead and pre-ordered a selection. She was impressed with his thoughtfulness and planning and called him ‘sneaky’ the rest of the day. Her mood was much improved, although still could use a boost.
Matt asked what she would like to do next, and Esther said that she’d just like to sit down at a bar and enjoy a drink or two before deciding. They found a nearby bar of their liking  just in time for the Redskins game to start. After several hours of hanging out and dinner, with the game ending favorably (the first win of the season!), Matt found out that the botanical gardens closed early and so they decided to go back to Esther’s apartment to enjoy the cupcakes and a movie. Well, the drive was longer than Esther expected and she had to use the restroom, so they made a quick stop at Matt’s parent’s home. As Esther was rushing in to use the facilities, Matt was rushing in after her, shaking his head and gesturing with his hand across his throat to his father who was in the living room. Once Esther was out of hear-shot, Matt told his father, “Don’t say anything, I haven’t asked her yet!” Fred then rushed upstairs to tell Jen so that she wouldn’t say anything as well. Matt and Esther then told Matt’s parents about their adventure in Georgetown and that they were going to go watch a movie at Esther’s apartment, so they left shortly afterwards.
Once they got to Esther’s apartment, Matt asked Esther to set up the movie while he got plates for them to be able to enjoy the cupcakes. They got eveything set up, and then Esther opened the box of cupcakes, eager to enjoy a treat after their long day. All the cupcakes were chocolate, and unfortunately, a few of them had flipped out of their places in the box and the icing had melted a bit. There was a fondant circle on the first cupcake that said “Will”, so she immediately knew that there were going to be a few more that had some other words on them. But the box was a mess and she couldn’t help it, but she just started cracking up. Matt looked down once she started laughing and saw that it wasn’t quite what he was expecting it to be. He laughed and started hunting for the other fondant circles that were in the box. He found the “you” and “marry” circles pretty quickly, but the “me” was burried, so he jokingly gave up and just asked, “Well, will you just marry someone?” They laughed even harder and eventually Matt found the “me”. He then got on one knee and pulled out her ring. He thanked her for not only having a sense of humor about the cupcakes, but for standing with him as they worked out all the kinks in their relationship. The other things he said are special treasures that will be kept in her heart, but she said yes, and then ate a cupcake.
Thank you Matt and Esther for honoring me with being your wedding photographer! I love your sense of humor and your bubbly personalities! Everything from start to finish was beautiful, as you both were! Love you both! xoxo
Let’s talk about these SHOES!!!! BAM!
A little memorial touch of her mother. <3
Love this! Her flower girl was soooo precious!
Gosh Esther, I wish I was a pretty cryer like you!
Time to get into the dress. 🙂
GORGEOUS.
The flower girl seeing her dressed for the first time. 🙂
Praying around the door. 🙂 Love these special moments!
Matt seeing Esther for the first time. 🙂
Esther was SO appreciative of her grandparents making the trip down to VA for her wedding day … So special! <3
On a side note, this little toddler looks like she could be a Baby Gap model!!! Right?!
Never have seen this before, but I LOVE the idea! Instead of sand, they are tying a braid together.
Husband and wife!
Okay, I thought this was precious as I noticed the flower girl grab ahold of this boy’s hand. He got really excited and they held hands all the way to the house. 🙂 Haha! So cute!
This has to be one of the most precious images ever! I was overcome with emotions when taking this shot as the grandmother grabbed the grandfather for a kiss. 🙂 No one asked them to do this, this was out of love! And after 66 years of being together … THIS is love!
Gorgeous girls!
YAY!
Gorgeous, Esther!
More portraits to come tomorrow on the blog from their “Day After Portraits”. 🙂
I love all of the pink I have on my blog from weddings I have this year!!! 🙂
Great shot, Amanda!
Crowd surf? WHY NOT!
CONGRATS!!!
CREDITS:
Venue: Briar Patch Bed & Breakfast, Middleburg, VA
Wedding Planner: Henriette Buell
Hair: Deniz at The Cut Above Lansdowne
Makeup: Isabella Bastien (SUPER FUN!!!)
Florist: Melanie McKenzie of Fleur
Baker: Cenora White of Cake Panache
Caterer: Kim Beach of Barn Door BBQ Catering
DJ: Ian Lade of Digital Sound Services
Photo Booth: Tip Top Photo Booths
Invitations: Minted.com
Dress: White Swan, Vienna
Shoes: Alloy.com
Rings: Jared
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