lauren@laurendieckhaus.com

Mariane & Michael Catholic Old Town Alexandria Wedding

Wedding

March 7, 2019

Her eyes gently gazed upon herself in her dress, with her hair and makeup done, and a sudden realization and nervous excitement twinkled in her eyes. Today’s the day!!
—

The day started off like any other, but quickly turned into a flurry of activity as hair and makeup arrived at Mariane’s apartment and the wedding party started getting ready! Even amidst wedding vendors and bridesmaids floating around the space, Mariane remained calm, caring, and collected (which I think is a true testament to her grace!). After everyone was wedding-ready, Mariane shared three first looks with her father, step-father, and grandfather leading up to the ceremony. Each man played a special part in her life, and I’m glad I got to capture these moments for each of them on her wedding day!

Mariane and Michael tied the knot in Old Town Alexandria with a full Catholic mass at The Basilica of Saint Mary and reception at the Kimpton Lorien Hotel and Spa. Mariane is the Assistant Director of Youth and Young Adults at the Basilica of Saint Mary, and Michael is a religion teacher at St. Anselm’s Abbey School as well as a PhD candidate at the Catholic University of America, so the Basilica was such a special wedding venue for both of them!

After the ceremony and portraits we made our way into the reception! Mariane and Michael shared an emotional first dance (slight tears here), followed by such a sweet mother-son dance. In addition to the three first-looks, Mariane also had three special dances with her father, her step-father, and her grandfather. After all of these dances, I was practically bawling with Mariane’s bridesmaids on the side of the dance floor! After recomposing myself, dinner was served and then the party started! After the usual selection of favorites (Don’t Stop Believin’, Uptown Funk, various Michael Bublé hits) Mariane and Jess broke out some upbeat Portuguese hits and taught her friends how to dance to them! I tried to join in and failed, but managed to make a comeback when the Wobble came on. (And if there’s anything that GMU taught me, it was how to wobble at parties!).

It’s only been a few days, but I’m still on an emotional high from this wedding! Mariane and Michael are so incredibly sweet, and I am truly honored I got to serve such beautiful people on their wedding day. I could go on and on, but without further ado I am excited to share some highlights from their day!

Mariane and Michael had two versions of their invitations and wedding mass programs, one in English and one in Portuguese for Mariane’s family!

Here Mariane and her bridesmaids are sewing on a blue ribbon to the hem of Mariane’s wedding dress with the names of Mariane’s single female friends! It’s actually a Brazilian wedding tradition that is believed to help these girls get married quicker!

Can we all take a moment to SWOON over the back of this dress! How gorgeous is Mariane?!

Michael absolutely nailed his getting ready poses! So dapper!!

Michael and his groomsmen were so much fun! These guys all have a sense of humor and had a blast during portrait time! (Not pictured below: everyone taking the mighty ducks flying V pose way too seriously and quacking)

Okay I AM DYING at how EFFORTLESSLY ROMANTIC THESE TWO ARE!! We only had a few minutes to capture some bride and groom shots before the sun set and we had to head into the reception, and they were so in love I practically didn’t have to pose them!