Our last day in DC started dark and early - before sunrise in fact. We were up and dressed and out the door by 5am to celebrate the marriage of our sweet friends Lyndon and Brandy. They were hosting a sunrise marriage at the Jefferson Memorial and when we arrived I knew that this was going to be one of the most beautiful marriages we would have the pleasure of witnessing.
Even if we had sleepy eyes.
;)
Lyndon and I work together and have become great friends over the years. He puts up with me well and is always willing to lend a hand, ear, shoulder when needed. He is one of the most genuine, hard working, and caring men you will have the pleasure to meet and I was so honored to be able to share this day with them.
Here are just a few of my favorite moments from the day...
Lyndon and his beautiful mom sharing a laugh before the ceremony begins.
And of course the moment he saw her. This is always ALWAYS my favorite moment of a wedding. I never watch for the bride, instead I look at the groom's face which tells me exactly just how beautiful she looks without needing to turn around at all.
Lyndon was elated.
This is the part in his personal vows when he said he loved her for being weird.
And it's true.
If you spend any time with Brandy there is no better way to describe her beautiful personality. She is amazing and brilliant and wonderfully weird. :)
See that bracelet on her wrist? She has worn in for the past 10 years. She got it when she was studying abroad in Kenya and it is to be worn until she has found her partner. As she recited her vows to Lyndon he removed the bracelet to signify that she had found her one and only.
Instead of lighting a unity candle, Brandy's father lead their two families in breaking of bread together. Isn't that amazing? Breaking bread just like Jesus lead his disciples. I loved this.
And of course - the exit. She was just beaming and so excited and happy.
We stopped for a quick pic and then headed to the reception.
LOVED this favor for the guests. Each part of their ceremony had such significance and meaning and we really felt like a part of their journey.
Thank you Lyndon and Brandy for including us in your special day! We wish you all the best as you begin your happily ever after!
The perk of a sunrise wedding (besides how beautiful it was) is the fact that you have all day to do other stuff! We left the reception and headed straight to the National Archives where we met up with one of my oldest friends. Russel was kind enough to spend time with some tourists even though I'm sure he has been here about 100 times.
This guy was beyond thrilled - such a history buff. He was in absolute heaven and I have to admit that it was pretty darn amazing to see a document that stands for so much. And while the ink is fading and the words are less visible - the Declaration and Constitution and Bill of Rights and just as much meaning today as when they were conceived.
And how amazing to think that men like Jefferson, all those years ago, had such a vision for what we get to experience today. Grateful indeed.
By about 4pm we were fading fast so we headed back to Jenn and Dave's for a quick nap and some play time with those cutie kids. Addie was happy to take a picture.
Jackson and Henry were less enthused.
:)
After the little kids went down (at 7:30!! She is a rock star) the big kids gourged on burgers, home fries, brews and baked goods...
Jenn was sneaky and made Ryan this delicious self-created cookie cake.
And it tastes even better than it looks (if you can imagine).
We ended the night with laughs and stories all while making memories of our own.
So glad to have gotten to spend this time away, to make new friends, to create wonderful memories all the while spending time with my one and only.
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