I cannot wait for you to see this Meadowlark Botanical Gardens wedding day come together, because Christine and Luc’s wedding wasn’t only beautiful, it was easy, in every one of the best ways a wedding day can be. They built in room to breathe, and that one choice meant everyone around them, including me, got to be so much more present for it. Once we made it to Meadowlark, the gardens practically did half of my job for me… I mean it was STUNNING! Christine and Luc’s florals were unreal all on their own, soft and romantic and woven through nearly every part of the design, so between the blooms already on site and the ones their florist brought in, there was really nowhere to point a camera that didn’t look amazing.
My morning started at the Ritz-Carlton, with the Jonas Brothers playing in the background.
Christine’s girls were well into hair and makeup by the time I rolled in for details, the vibes were already amazing, and Cava was on the menu for lunch. Big laughs, easy conversation, and a bride glowing before she’d even put her dress on, all set to a little throwback JoBro playing in the background. Honestly, it was the perfect way to kick off the day.
Christine stepped into her dress, and the room shifted.
Her girls helped her in, and if she was glowing before, this was something else entirely. Once she was zipped up and ready, we all got a little buzzy heading down to the cars for the drive to Meadowlark, but it wasn’t the stressed kind of buzzing. It was the kind where you can feel the whole day stretched out ahead of you, and you’re just excited to experience it.
Meanwhile, Luc was with his guys at the house he grew up in.
Jordan (my amazing second!) spent the morning with Luc and his brother at their parents’ place, and I love how much sentimentality got woven into this part of the day just by being there. Between practicing their breakdancing choreo (just wait, you’ll see) and getting dressed in the bedroom Luc and his brother shared as kids, there were photos in the backyard and a whole lot of laughing before it was time to head to the first look.
If I handed out superlatives at the end of the year, Christine and Luc would absolutely win most likely to make everyone burst into happy tears.
These two are genuine down to their core, and they surround themselves with people who are just as warm hearted. So when their first look kicked off and they held each other, teared up, and caught up on their morning apart, their closest friends and family were watching from the wings, crying right along with them. Meadowlark’s staff whisked us off by golf cart, and our tour guide knew exactly where everything was in bloom.
We started near the water, made our way to the water lilies, and rounded out that first stretch of portraits near the most beautiful patch of purple flowers, one so good we came back for wedding party and sunset photos too. Between the gardens already in full bloom and the expansive views, it felt like the whole property had been planted and designed just for them.
Group photos and family portraits filled the time before guests started to arrive.
Their wedding party met us in dusty blush and black, and we had so much fun knocking these out (with the purple flowers, of course!) before tucking into family photos near the ceremony site. For the first day of August, the weather could not have cooperated more. We had just enough clouds to keep everyone cool, and it was nowhere near as hot as it could have been.
Instead of a traditional program, Christine and Luc created a custom wedding newspaper, and as a journalism girl, this made me SO happy.
Guests sat in their seats reading through their newspapers before the ceremony, learning all about Christine and Luc’s story. Luc’s uncle, serving as officiant, opened the ceremony by welcoming everyone to be completely present.
Luc walked in with his parents first, and Christine followed soon after with hers. It was already a sweet moment, but what made it even sweeter was watching Christine’s brother, who’s also one of Luc’s groomsmen. Christine and Luc have been part of each other’s lives since high school, which means Christine’s brother has known Luc just as long. His happy tears the moment his sister came down the aisle had the whole crowd crying right along with him. The ceremony itself was intentional and full of meaning, officiated by Luc’s uncle with a reading from his grandmother. Their arch was dressed simply in the same soft blush and greenery as the rest of the day, just enough to frame them without ever pulling focus from what actually mattered.
As they recessed hand in hand, their smiles said everything! But, it was what happened just after that I keep coming back to. Their wedding party swarmed in for hugs, and I don’t think a single person had a dry eye, especially when Christine and her brother found each other and just held on for a second. It’s not the kind of moment that anyone would think to work into a timeline during planning.
Nobody pencils in “wedding party group hug” between the ceremony and cocktail hour, but it’s exactly why I build in room to let moments like that happen uninterrupted, because that’s when you get the real stuff. Getting to stand there and watch it unfold is one of those reminders of why I love this job so much. After a few more hugs from extended family, it was on to cocktail hour, catching up with everyone they love over drinks.
Their reception opened with a full choreographed first dance, and the party never really let up from there.
The most unreal first dance and joyful parent dances led into toasts and cheers, plenty of happy tears included, and that officially kicked the celebration into gear. Inside the Atrium, the tables carried the same soft, romantic florals through low centerpieces and candlelight, so even once the sun went down, it still felt like an extension of the garden outside. The newlyweds snuck away for golden hour portraits near the Atrium before rejoining the party, and once they were back, the dance floor didn’t stop. Drinks were flowing, the music had everyone moving, and yes, the guys broke out their breakdancing.
Christine and Luc had the most amazing wedding day, and I cannot wait for you to scroll through all of it. They’re off on their honeymoon so soon! While they are packing their bags for their amazing adventure, I’ll be knee deep in editing their gallery… and I’m not even one bit mad about it. Their day was THAT good!
Congrats, cuties! I can’t wait for you to see just how sweet these two are!
Before we get to the good stuff, a quick shoutout to their rockstar vendors:
Event Planning and Coordination: Events to Woo | Photography: Cait Kramer Photography | Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Atrium at Meadowlark | Florals: FlowerNFlorist | Catering: Blue Heron Catering | Bridal Gown Boutique: K&B Bridals | Accommodations and Getting Ready Location: The Ritz Carlton, Tysons Corner | Beauty: Curated Beauty Studio | Cake: Fluffy Thoughts | Dessert: Nothing Bundt Cakes | Reception Entertainment + Photobooth: Party On DJ Dave
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