Sara & Nick - St. Piux X Roman Catholic Church and the Valley Mansion - Maryland wedding photography - Jennifer McMenamin Photography

Sara & Nick — St. Piux X Roman Catholic Church and the Valley Mansion — Maryland wedding photography

Sara and Nick have one of the sweetest love stories I’ve ever heard. They rode the bus together in elementary school and Nick apparently had his eye on Sara from a young age — as much as a kid in the single digits can, I suppose, be interested in a fellow kiddo also in the single digits. He finally asked her out when they were in the eighth grade, but she turned him down. Her exceedingly practical explanation at the time: ‘We’re just kids.’ Oh what a difference a few months can make. Feeling much more mature by the time she got to high school, Sara finally returned Nick’s interest and they’ve been together ever since. Sara shared this sweet story when she and her photography-loving father met me at my studio last fall.

I had such a nice time getting to know them and hearing about the wedding plans. Here is an excerpt from my notes from that first meeting: ‘Groom told her he loved her in fifth grade. Cute dog Roxy. Want photos of band — electric violin with fireworks.’ Who wouldn’t want to work with a couple like that and with those kinds of wedding plans? After spending an afternoon running around Rocks State Park with Sara and Nick for their engagement session last November, I was thrilled to document all the love and joy of their beautiful summer wedding. Oh, and yes, we were able to include that cute dog Roxy in some of the photos and the firework-shooting instruments played by the band members of Onyx were indeed as cool as they had sounded at that first meeting. Here are some of my favorites from Sara and Nick’s wonderful wedding:

My assistant Lucas and I started the day at the bride’s parents’ home, where the big occasion was marked for their daughter — a fourth-grade teacher — on the dry-erase board in the kitchen.

I love this expression from Sara as her friend was finishing up her make-up.

Sara got ready with just her mom and it made for some very sweet moments between the two of them.

Without further ado, that ‘cute dog Roxy.’

I love this next image of Sara’s friends and cousins waiting for her to come downstairs.

What a fun group of girls!

The bride, looking gorgeous.

Sara and her sweet flowergirl, Ana.

And it was off to the church to get married!

I love the little crowd of girls from the neighborhood that stopped outside the church to see Sara getting out of the limo. They oohed and aaahed like she was royalty.

Sara’s grand entrance.

A back-of-the-aisle shot from Lucas.

I don’t think she could look any happier.

A few groomsmen details.

Married!

What a good looking wedding party! They were all so much fun to work with.

A few quick portraits of the newlyweds in the gorgeous, golden early-evening light.

A first dance.

A few toasts.

A quick touch-up.

A pair of parent dances.

I love love this next photo of Ana. We may have a budding photographer on our hands…

Sara and Nick had one of the best bouquet and garter tosses that I have ever witnessed. The photos speak for themselves, but I should mention one minor detail: The bridesmaid who caught the bouquet and the groomsman who snagged the garter — Sara’s brother — are cousins. Witness the hilarity that ensued.

Let the partying begin! A quick word about Sara and Nick’s band, Onyx. They were incredible. I’ve seen a lot of bands in my five years of photographing weddings. Onyx easily makes my Top 5. They were *on* the dance floor all night, singing, dancing with guests and showcasing their instruments. They kept Sara and Nick’s friends and family out there all night, too, simply with their amazing energy and talent.