I met Gianna and James for the first time in person at their springtime engagement session and they are truly two of the kindest and most genuine people that I have had the pleasure to know. Both lovers of all things romantic, true, good, and beautiful, I knew their wedding was going to reflect that and more.

We arrived at St. Paul of the Cross on their wedding day and Gianna and James shared the sweetest first look! Before the mass began, they prioritized spending a few moments reading letters and praying together. Tucking away into the adoration chapel building, they stood in front of The Blessed Virgin Mary, teary-eyed and exchanging letters. It was one of my favorite parts of the whole day and I love how Our Lady was right there with them, moments before they enter into the sacrament of marriage.

Gianna walked down the aisle, beaming with joy on her father’s arm! She was a vision and James had the biggest smile on his face as his beautiful bride took his hand. After the couple exchanged vows, Gianna’s sisters came up to the altar and draped the wedding cord and veil over the newly married couple. The wedding veil tradition or ” the velatio nuptialis” is an ancient tradition of the Catholic Church, established around the fourth century. During the nuptial blessing, a white cloth (pallium) is held over the couple. The white cloth signifies the bright cloud, which is at once a sign of God’s protection accompanying the chosen people wandering in the desert the Holy Spirit overshadowing Mary and the bright cloud of the Transfiguration on Mt. Tabor. It was such a stunning and powerful moment of the mass and the first time I was able to witness it as a wedding photographer!

After their wedding mass, we arrived at The Morton Arboretum for photos! The sun was gorgeous and glowy, wrapping around the couple beautifully during their bride and groom portraits and continuing through toasts and speeches. The night concluded with a romantic first dance to ” A Thousand Years” and some golden hour photos on the back lawn of the Arboretum.

Enjoy some of my favorite images from their day! It was so hard to limit it to just a few photos for the blog, as you can see. Gianna and James, may God bless you always and I look forward to seeing you again soon!