Maria Victoria & Alex were my fifth and final October wedding—and we ended the month on such a beautiful high note. These two are high school sweethearts and genuinely some of the sweetest souls I’ve ever met. Their wedding was one of the most emotional days I’ve ever been privileged to photograph. You could see their deep, overflowing love for each other, their families, and their friends in the tears and laughter that filled the day.

Both Maria Victoria and Alex handwrote letters to the most important people in their lives and gifted them that morning—just the beginning of the many, many tears to come. From their tearful first touch outside the church, to the moment Alex first saw Maria Victoria walking down the aisle towards him, from the father–daughter and mother–son dances, to the heartfelt toasts shared by their parents and siblings, the entire day was an outpouring of love that revealed the heart of the Eternal Father and his outpouring of love for each of us in such a beautiful and tangible way.

Their wedding took place in the lovely Mt. Adams neighborhood in Cincinnati, with the Ceremony at Holy Cross Immaculata and their reception just up the hill at the Monastery Event Center. This was my second wedding at these two locations, and I absolutely love the local tradition of parading with all your guests from the church to the Monastery after Mass. To make the morning even sweeter, both Maria Victoria and Alex got ready within steps of each other—she in an Airbnb directly across the street with her girls, and he at The Monastery.

One of the most meaningful moments of the day happened during the ceremony, when they chose to include the exchange of arras (unity coins) after their vows—a beautiful Latin American tradition I’ve had the joy of photographing a few times. Maria Victoria’s family is from Venezuela, and they used the same coins used at her parents’ and grandparents’ weddings!

Later at the reception, Maria Victoria and Alex personally served cake to each of their guests as their way of greeting everyone. Wearing “Mr.” and “Mrs.” aprons, they handed out slices of cake instead of hosting a traditional receiving line—more like a “cake-giving line,” and I absolutely loved it. It was such a thoughtful act of service and a heartfelt way to thank every person for being part of their lives. The dance floor was already open at that point, so the whole thing flowed naturally and joyfully—and it was a perfect reflection of their hearts of gold.

Maria Victoria & Alex, it has been such a tremendous gift to get to know you and your families and to witness and photograph your wedding day!

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 // Holy Cross–Immaculata
RECEPTION // Monastery Event Center
VIDEOGRAPHER // Elegant Productions
FLOWERS // Kroger Floral
BAND // The Touchables
CAKE // Amiel Arte Bakery
DRESS // Luxe Redux Bridal
MUA & HAIR // REFeyeANCE
GROOMSMEN // Folchi’s Tuxedos & Menswear
BRIDESMAIDS // Azazie