Last October my cousin married one of my household sisters and it was one of the most beautiful weddings ever. Kaitlyn had graduated from Franciscan University two years before me but we had been good friends and both members of the same household (see this post for more explanation on households). When Kaitlyn graduated she moved back in with her family in the same hometown she’d grown up in. Just thirty minutes away lies the town where my cousin, James, had grown up and yet their paths had never crossed. Not only had they lived close to each other almost their entire lives, but they also both went to Franciscan University and even though James had graduated two years before Kaitlyn they had somehow never met.

After graduation, Kaitlyn started to become involved with one of the Catholic Young Adult communities near her hometown and it was there that she and James were finally introduced. They quickly became friends and several months later began to date. It was around a year later that James got down on one knee and asked Kaitlyn to be his bride.

Kaitlyn is pretty much the sweetest human you will ever meet (my favorite line from the best man’s toast was how he recognized who Kaitlyn was as “that happy girl from Franciscan!!”). James is quieter but has the gentlest and largest heart and the way he takes care of and loves Kaitlyn is so beautiful to witness.

Their wedding was so much fun and particularly special for me because I not only knew most of James’ side (because half of his side was my family) but I also knew a lot of the friends who came on Kaitlyn’s side. I was either related too or friends with half of the people in the wedding party and it was a blast to spend the day with all of them celebrating Kaitlyn and James.

Kaitlyn could not have picked a more beautiful color scheme for her October wedding. The mismatching bridesmaids dresses matched their colorful bouquets perfectly and the floral crowns all the girls wore tied the whole look together to create a bridal party masterpiece. (Kaitlyn’s florist, Mallory did an AMAZING job!) Another sweet fact about Kaitlyn’s details is that the pearl earrings she wore are the same earrings her mom wore on her wedding day.

Ok, I have definitely talked enough and it is time to let the pictures tell the rest of the story!

Isn’t this one of the most stunning bouquets you’ve ever seen????

Kaitlyn had the sweetest first look with her Daddy and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room (ahem, hallway).

The forecast was calling for rain all day, and we just kept praying that it would at least clear up for the hour we were supposed to be outside for all their portraits. It rained throughout the morning and Wedding Mass and wasn’t showing signs of letting up. They had their reception at the Piney Branch Golf Club in Upperco, MD and just as I was pulling up, the sun miraculously peaked out from behind some clouds. Besides a couple of sprinkles, we had about a solid hour of portrait time outside with the gloriously colorful October backdrop. Kaitlyn’s mom had picked up some clear umbrellas the day before just in case it decided to rain all day, so even though the rain had mostly stopped, we still incorporated them in some of the pictures, because, um, clear umbrellas make everything so cute.

See what I mean about a bridal party masterpiece?? Stunning ladies, all of them!!

Kaitlyn, you were the most radiant bride!!

Xoxo,

Mary Kate

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A huge shout out to all the other vendors who came together to make this day possible!

CHURCH || St. Joseph Catholic Church, Sykesville MD

RECEPTION VENUE & CATERING || Piney Branch Golf Club

VIDEOGRAPHER || Anthony Hooper & Shawn Wheland

WEDDING MASS MUSICIAN || Taylor Tripodi

DJ || David McDonnell

FLORIST || Mallory Jones (Violet Florals)

CAKE || Santoni’s

DRESS || Renaissance Bridal of York

BRIDESMAID’S DRESSES || David’s Bridal

GROOMSMEN ATTIRE || Men’s Warehouse

INVITATIONS || Minted