Ivan & Allyson Springfield, VA

Ivan & Allyson's micro wedding was the perfect mixture of warmth and class. They kept their wedding small but it was nothing short of meaningful moments and traditional elements. They said their vows and exchanged rings, and coins, at the church Allyson has been attending her whole life. As someone who grew up in the church, I can attest to how meaningful and strange it is to finally get married in a place where you've spent Sunday after Sunday and service after service. It becomes a place that holds a whole new meaning.

During their ceremony Ivan & Allyson had some traditional elements that were new to me in my years of wedding photography. They exchanged coins called "arras" which is a tradition dating back to the 11th century! The thirteen coins represent a few different things, but mostly they are to show a mutual trust and respect that they will provide for each other for their future. Usually something like this is said when exchanging the coins, "all that I have is yours, and all that you have is mine."

After their ceremony the couple went to a local park and celebrated with some delicious barbecue and traditional Filipino dishes. I loved every moment of it.

Congratulations to Mr & Mrs Sabarre!