Weddings with One heart and soul.

An adventure begins in the form of a Fort Belvoir Officers’s Club’s wedding! One heart and one soul… This sums up the feeling I get when I think about Alison and Tyler’s union at Ft. Belvoir Officer’s Club on a mild January day.

January is a new year!

This Fort Belvoir Officer’s Club Wedding is the first wedding that I have captured in 2019.  January 5th will remain a day that the couple and their families remember as Alison and Tyler said: “I do.” And this sweet couple stands out as one with many common interests and common career ambitions. It’s no surprise that they met about 5 years ago while interning in the DC area. Though they went separate ways initially, they reconnected about 2 years ago and the rest is history!

The Proposal

Tyler’s proposal was sincere and came as a surprise to Alison. And then the planning process began! I loved the evergreen, gold, neutral tones of the wedding and they were perfect for the winter! When I saw the girl’s dresses I asked them if they would like a little baby’s breath for their hair. It just seemed to fit the greens and natural feel of the day! Little details like this are so fun to see! Also, I have to say Alison’s champagne shoes were just perfect. And upon close inspection, you will find a blue “I do,” on the bottom.

The “O-Club”

The Ft. Belvoir Officers Club was the perfect background for this couple whose family is military-connected. (Thank you all for your service!) And everything was lovely! We had a little bit of drizzle in the morning. But when it was time for the official photos, it was dry and the sun peeked out from behind the clouds and warmed everything up nicely! I love shooting at the Officer’s Club for many reasons. But in particular, I love the front porch! It offers so many great spots for photos, even when the weather is not ideal.

Favorite Moments

There were so many special moments throughout the day but some of my favorites were capturing the tenderness of the couple’s connection. Tyler exudes a gentle strength and a caring compassionate heart. The couple shed a few tears. And I felt the magnitude of them all.  Alison’s smile lit up the room and her bridal party’s presence made the joy that everyone shared that much more meaningful. Also, the bride’s sister shared how as a child she prayed specifically for a sister and how she feels that Tyler is every bit as amazing of a brother she could have ever asked for or prayed for. (THE BEST!). And Joe’s recollection of the Chick-Flick Mondays, how could anyone not laugh about?!?

Support for new chapters

But perhaps one of the most amazing experiences of the wedding day is seeing how everyone is 100% supportive of Alison and Tyler. They are about to embark on a HUGE adventure in 2019! Newly married, the couple is moving to Romania! It’s not every day that you meet someone who is going to move abroad, let alone move to Romania! And it’s not every day that you meet someone who’s been to Romania! Back in the fall, when I found out that Alison and Tyler are moving to Romania, I was super excited. Because I have actually spent time there, I can relate to the excitement. And I’ll never forget my experience. Although the country has changed so much since when I traveled there in 1994, I know the experience will be one that impacts Alison and Tyler’s marriage forever- for the good!

Final Thoughts

Alison and Tyler,

Thank you for trusting me to capture your wedding photos! I hope your day was every bit as special as you dreamt it would be and then some! And, thank you for being flexible with me as I worked on some additional details that reflect your family’s legacy of military service. I am excited about your journey as a married couple and I can’t wait to hear about your adventures in Romania. May the transition be smooth on every level – in marriage, in career, in housing and in getting all your household goods there safely. I hope you get to experience the beautiful summertime before the season changes. And I also hope that you fill countless photo albums with your travels in Europe and beyond. May you find new friends quickly and may the acclimation to the new culture goes as well as they can. Much grace will be needed for the journey, but I know you’ll find it in the bond that you share.  I join the wishes for you all and second what your best man said, “It’s not where you go that matters, but who go with.” All the best and congratulations on your marriage!

All the best,

Michelle

I love this Fort Belvoir Officer’s Club wedding, but to view a summer wedding, be sure to check out this DC-based wedding!