rose hill manor wedding // max & catherine

Weddings

leesburg_virginia_wedding_rose_hill_manor_photo_0076.jpg Max and Catherine are eight years in the making. And you could most certainly tell that from the excited energy the morning of their wedding. There was so much anticipation. Max and his guys got ready, joking back and forth, affirming again that Catherine was the most perfect woman for Max because she’d arranged lunch at Chipotle for them that day. Catherine and her girls enveloped each other in a group hug as soon as they saw the florals piled up in the bridal suite. They danced around to disney music and gave each other knowing smiles about what was to come. When Catherine read Max’s letter to her, that’s when it all became real. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she explained that no, they didn’t write their own vows, but that letter, that’s all the promises she needed to hear from Max.

The wind whipped around fiercely as Catherine walked up the aisle towards her groom. Her veil flew over both the officiant and Max and the ceremony erupted into giggles. Catherine and Max simply glanced at each other and started to laugh. As they promised to love each other and serve each other through the storms of life as a literal storm came to fruition around them, they laughed again. Yes, they were committing to marriage, but also to best friendship. And this was something they’d definitely never forget. They made it official with a kiss and Max pulled her in to plant a kiss on her forehead. So instinctual you can tell he’s been doing it for years. They walked back up the aisle, hand in hand, finally married after all this time! And Max pulled his new wife in once more, a reflex towards the woman he loves.

I say this with all sincerity: I’ve never heard a crowd erupt for a bride and groom being announced like they did for Max and Catherine. With a smaller wedding of about 100 guests, every single person there knew and loved them deeply. They’d cheered for them over the years and cheered tangibly and loudly as they walked in. They seemed to be just as excited as the new Lugos were. You could hear that in the toasts throughout the evening, in the way guests traveled from as far as Germany to be there, from the way it was like one big family in the reception hall. Max and Catherine departed into the sparkler filled night and guests lingered around, basking in the most perfect day.

Max and Catherine, we’ve got so much love for you two. Thank you for trusting us with your day. Hope St Lucia was everything! (and hopefully quite warm :])

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