They both knew, from the moment they laid eyes on each other, that this was it. Their search was over; they’d finally found the one their souls were longing for. To anyone observing, their decision to marry, to become husband wife, was an obvious one- they just… belong together. It makes sense. “Are you nervous?” I asked Matt on the morning of the wedding. “No, I’m just excited to see her!” Not an ounce of hesitation, Matt was 100% assured that he and Anna were made for each other.

Their wedding day was truly a celebration of two families joining together- tears of joy from both mothers, proud smiles and firm handshakes of celebration from both fathers. Every bride and groom looks forward to their wedding day, but the primary sentiment I kept hearing from Matt & Anna was how excited they were to be MARRIED. With Anna being a wedding photographer, she’s witnessed dozens of other couples tying the knot, but it only made her that much more excited to take that huge step herself!

Matt & Anna, I adore you two. I love your love, your relationship, your joy, and your passion for the Lord! Your wedding was such a blessing to me, and I count myself as incredibly fortunate to have been chosen to document your day. Thank you, a hundred times over, for allowing me into your world to witness you making the biggest commitment of your lives. I hope you’re enjoying Cancun!

The day began in a bridal cottage at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Frederick…

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Anna is way more brave than I am- she did her own make-up on her wedding day. Oh, and that headband? She made it! Just the first of her many DIY touches from the day.

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That bouquet!!

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See what I mean? Calm, cool, collected and totally sure.

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ANNA! Shut up! You are GORGEOUS.Frederick Maryland DIY wedding photographer

Matt & Anna opted to do a First Look- I wanted to kiss them for it! First looks are amazing- that moment when you first see each other? That’s huge. Not every wants to share that moment with 100+ other people, and doing a first look gives you the opportunity capture authentic, RELAXED portraits without feeling rushed to get to your reception. Plus, you get reactions like the ones below that you just can’t get during your ceremony :).

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My shot on the left, my second shooter Karen‘s shot on the right. Ahh!

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Frederick Maryland DIY wedding photographer

Definitely one of my favorites!

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We were waiting for the families to arrive so we could get the formal shots taken, and Anna just looked so beautiful that I couldn’t stop shooting. Sorry I’m not sorry for posting 125+ images today. And JEEZ I love her drop-waist lace gown!

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AHHH!

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Frederick Maryland DIY wedding photographer

You guys are like, SO married. 🙂

Frederick Maryland DIY wedding photographer

Because the ceremony and reception site were within two blocks of each other, Anna hired a crew of pede-cab drivers (pedalers?) to ferry their guests from one to the other!

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And then THIS happened. Almost everything at the reception was handmade by Anna- the banners, the escort cards, the centerpieces, the tissue paper pomanders, the table numbers… she worked so hard on every last detail and it came out beautifully! It felt like a British tea party to me!

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The lace covering their sweetheart table belonged to Anna’s great-grandmother.

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Anna covered the entire back wall with paper and pom-balls in their wedding colors!

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A dessert table with apple pie and cheesakes from The Cheesecake Factory? Uh… YES PLEASE.

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First dance!

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LOVE that one on the right!

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Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Kerns!!

Happy Thursday!

Love Everlasting- Matt & Anna’s DIY Frederick Wedding

May 31, 2012

  1. Stephen says:

    You’re awesome!

  2. submit this somewhere awesome! Because it’s awesome! 🙂

  3. Abby these photos are amazing! They had so many adorable DIY details and I love their wedding colors!

  4. These are too perfect! All the decorations are AMAZING!!!!

  5. Rebekah Hoyt says:

    I was about to say the same thing as Katelyn – you HAVE to submit this wedding somewhere!! It’s gorgeous!! Anna did a fabulous job with her details – amazing! But you did a fantastic job capturing it all. SO beautiful from start to finish.

  6. what a wedding! gorgeous bride (love her DIY headband – i need that tutorial! STAT! and her DIY makeup) … LOVE all the details at the reception too!! just amazing!

  7. I am in love with this wedding! What great details and adorable couple! I love the dress picture you took hanging from the chandelier is stellar!

  8. Annamarie says:

    Oh man…she is a bride after my own heart..love her colors and details and theme! And she has the prettiest, brightest eyes..you made such a gorgeous bride anna! Oh and I love her dress..and really I just love all of it. Such an amazing wedding!!

  9. McCall Doyle says:

    Great job! I love the light, the colors, and my favorite touches were her amazing centerpieces. The silver elegance of the pitchers and the flowers were a wonderful contrast to the fun pompoms and doilies. 🙂 And Anna really does look like Miranda Kerr!!!

  10. Karen Field says:

    I loved the casual elegance of the reception and the DIY things that made it so personal. You caught the couple at their best, Abby!

  11. Karen says:

    Abby! Wow! Your pictures completely brought the day to life all over again. Amazingly awesome job girl!! I love them!

  12. Rachel says:

    I’d love to see a post on the pros and cons of doing a “peek” from your perspective as a photographer and a bride! I know it’s a big decision for couples to make.

  13. Rachel says:

    I’d love to see a post on the pros and cons of doing a “peek” from your perspective as a photographer and a bride! I know it’s a big decision for couples to make, and I’d love to see it discussed.

  14. […] hard to believe that I got married exactly two months ago! It was the best day of my life! All the planning and all the DIY crafting was so worth it. I never wanted our wedding day to end […]

  15. […] became a little bit crunched, we unfortunately didn’t have much time for bridal portrait on Matt & Anna’s wedding day, so Anna and I scheduled a “day-after” bridal session to give her another […]

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