This past Saturday my BEAUTIFUL cousin Christine married the love of her life, Tom, and it was a gorgeous day from start to finish and the best start to my summer wedding season. Christine and Tom met through one of the Catholic Young Adult communities in the Baltimore area and after forming a solid friendship, it became clear that they both were interested in pursuing something more with each other. It has been so fun to watch Christine fall in love with Tom and I love seeing how Tom’s gentle and patient demeanor balances out Christine’s bubbly and passionate personality to make them the perfect pair.

They were married at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Sykesville, MD and they had their reception in the Church’s event space right next door. We ended up staying on the grounds of the Church for all of the portraits which worked out wonderfully. Our other cousin, James, just got married in the same Church last October, and at that wedding, our extended family was on the groom’s side and it was quite fun to be in the same church for another family wedding, but this time be on the bride’s side. Family weddings are really so much fun because our extended family is huge and crazy and wonderful and make for the best parties.

I am so excited to share these images from their day! Christine wore the most stunning gown from Mary’s Designer Bridal Boutique, and her mother’s pearls that she had worn on her own wedding day. I loved Christine’s burgundy and blush color scheme. I feel like burgundy is more often found in fall weddings but Christine had her heart set on it and she pulled it off and I’m now a huge fan of burgundy June weddings.

My 14-year-old sister came along with me in the morning to assist me and so there were 7 of us girl cousins (technically 9 if you count the two little girls) in the house during the getting ready portion of the day and once we realized that we knew we wanted to snap a quick picture of all of us. So our other cousin, Kevin, (who was there because he was the videographer) took the picture below. (Counting him means there were 10 of us McDonnell cousins in this tiny house celebrating the fact that Christine was about to get married. And let me tell you, it was so much fun.)

I literally could not pick just one or two favorite bridal portraits to share with you all because Christine was so radiantly beautiful and I was (and still am) obsessed with her dress. I told her that truthfully, it was perhaps my favorite wedding dress I’ve seen and she looked amazing in it!

I love the following two pictures of Christine with her two sisters. Look at those three beautiful women!

Within a span of about a year and a half, we went from a lull in family weddings to suddenly having a whole slew of cousins getting engaged and married. When I realized that these four are now engaged or married, I knew I wanted to take this picture and I’m so glad I did! The two on the end are engaged and getting married in the next year and Kaitlyn (to the right of Christine) just married our cousin, James last October.

Get ready for some of my favorite portraits ever! Kevin (the videographer) and I had the easiest time ever getting stunning shots of these two and with plenty of time scheduled in for their portraits we had no time pressure and no added stress and we were able to just relax, and have fun and finish all their portraits with time to spare!

Christine!!! I know I already said this, but wow, you were the most beautiful bride!!

They had Mission BBQ cater their wedding and let me tell you, it was some of the BEST wedding food I’ve ever had and I was not the only one saying that. Everyone I talked to mentioned how good dinner was. Sometimes good, simple American staples make for the best meals.

Christine and Tom had asked me to sneak them out for some sunset portraits and although some clouds had rolled in and we didn’t get the total golden hour glow, we still got some GORGEOUS portraits with the hazy and romantic light that accompanies the beginning of the sunset.

Congratulations Christine & Tom!! I could not be happier for you two and am so excited to watch you start your life together!

Xoxo,

Mary Kate

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A huge thank you to all the other vendors who came together to make this day possible!

CHURCH // St. Joseph Catholic Church, Sykesville MD

RECEPTION VENUE // Faith and Fellowship Hall at St. Joseph’s Catholic Community

CATERING // Mission BBQ

VIDEOGRAPHER // Emmaus Films

DJ // Drew Fontaine (drewfonts@gmail.com)

FLORIST // Flowers by Judy

CAKE // Once Upon a Crumb Bakery

DRESS // Mary’s Designer Bridal Boutique

BRIDESMAID’S DRESSES // Azazie

GROOMSMEN ATTIRE // Jos A Banks

INVITATIONS // Shutterfly

MAKEUP ARTIST // Jaclyn Price (jmpartistry@gmail.com)

HAIRSTYLIST // Colleen Kelly (colleen.kelly.m@gmail.com)

COORDINATORS // Katie Coffey and Margaret Kenney