Samantha and Evan were originally planning a large 200 person wedding, but after planning and postponing during the COVID-19 pandemic they decided to downsize their big wedding day and instead have an intimate Orthodox Christian wedding ceremony with their immediate families at St Luke Orthodox Christian Church in Erie, Colorado. After being together for 4 years they were ready to become husband and wife and at the root of it all that is what mattered more than any large gathering, especially since they were still able to do it with their families by their sides.
The bride and groom’s siblings stood alongside them as their bridal party during their ceremony and Samantha’s father still walked her down the aisle. Their Orthodox Christian ceremony was absolutely beautiful. I loved the crowning ceremony and that the bride’s brother got to move their wedding bands from each of their hands to the other and be such a big part of them becoming husband and wife.
Samantha spent the morning getting ready with her sister, Evan’s sisters and her mom at a nearby hotel before the ceremony. Her sister even did her hair and makeup! All of the girls got custom silk bridesmaid’s robes as a wedding day gift. The bride’s sister gave her a beautiful bracelet and they each wore matching pinky rings during the ceremony. After everyone finished getting ready we headed to St Luke Orthodox Christian Church in Erie, Colorado for their wedding ceremony!
I met Evan and his family at St Luke Orthodox Church while we waited for Samantha to arrive shortly after. Everyone got pinned with their boutonnieres and put on their beautiful corsages from Mariposa flowers in Greeley. With a little bit of help from Youtube, Evan’s sister was able to tie his bowtie just in time before the bride arrived for the ceremony! St Luke Orthodox church is filled with beautiful painted murals and skylights to let in all of the beautiful sunshine from outside!
Samantha and Evan’s orthodox christian ceremony was emotional and absolutely beautiful! There were so many special traditions that took place during the ceremony. I absolutely loved the crowning ceremony and that the bride’s brother got to switch their wedding bands from each of their hands to the other to help facilitate them becoming husband and wife. My cheeks hurt from smiling so hard behind the camera because the father of the bride had the biggest smile on his face during the entire ceremony and loved being able to capture it on video and via a Facebook live call so they could share the moment with everyone who wasn’t able to attend due to the gathering size limitations with COVID-19! His pride radiated so much joy and are some of my favorite photos to look back on!
After their ceremony we grabbed some photos with the family at the altar inside of the church before heading outside to do portraits with their siblings and the bride and groom! It was a hot, hot summer day and the air was still filled with haze from all of the surrounding Colorado wildfires but it was still absolutely gorgeous out and the giant copper doors on the front of the church made for a beautiful backdrop!
After we finished up with portraits, Evan’s sisters helped bustle Samantha’s dress and they hopped in a fancy town car, chauffeured by the bride’s brother and they headed to enjoy a dinner with their families.
Getting married during a global pandemic comes with a lot of curve balls and hurdles, but I love that so many couples, like Samantha and Evan, chose love and moved forward with their wedding. It was so beautiful to photograph such an intimate and intentional day where they were surrounded by all of the love from the people closest to them!
Ceremony Venue: St. Luke Orthodox Christian Church in Erie, Colorado
Florist: Mariposa
Menswear: Hugo Boss
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