Timeless Spring Wedding with Heirloom Dress at Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption

This feature was photographed and submitted by Laura and Matthew Photography.

We met with Leah and Sam during their engagement session last fall. They had driven up from Lexington and we instantly felt like we had known them our entire lives. They are so genuine. Sam converted to the Catholic faith during college and he started working at the Newman center where he met Leah.

God’s fingerprints were all over this day, this couple, their relationship, and their new marriage. From beginning to end, Leah and Sam’s day was dappled with love, grace, and lots of sunshine. On a beautiful spring day in Northern Kentucky, two people, deeply in love with Our Lord and each other, stood before God and promised to be faithful, in good times and bad, until death do they part. It was a joyous occasion, one long anticipated and God blessed them abundantly with perfect weather! You couldn’t have ordered up a more perfect day!

Their wedding was classic black and white with an heirloom dress from the 1950’s. It was timeless with spring florals and blue dresses. One of my favorite aspects of capturing Leah getting ready in the morning was her dress and veil. They were each originally worn by her grandmothers in the 1950’s. Leah’s mother then wore the dress at her own wedding. And now the dress was passed to the third generation and Leah looked incredibly beautiful.

They were married in the absolutely breathtaking Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, KY. This church is so beautiful, it is hard to capture its grandeur in pictures. The Cathedral’s design is inspired by Notre Dame in Paris and the stained glass steals the show. You could easily spend hours here in prayer, surrounded by beauty. Their wedding Mass was celebrated by many of their priest and deacon friends from the University of Kentucky Newman Center, where Leah and Sam met. Happy tears streamed down Sam’s cheeks as Leah walked down the aisle towards him. There was such a sense of gratitude for all God has done in their lives. As they said the vows, you could sense the solemnity and yet the joy of the moment, the sacrament of matrimony beginning.

After Mass, we headed to Ault Park for photos and then on to the Center in downtown Cincinnati for their reception! Leah changed into a modern wedding dress and had a sweet little “first look” with Sam before entering the reception! They danced the night away surrounded by family and friends.

Vendor Team

Photographer: Laura and Matthew 

Film Scans: PhotoVision

Dress Designer: Randy Fenoli

Bridal Dress Shop: Bridal and Formal

Ceremony: Cathedral Basilica of The Assumption

Reception: The Center Cincinnati 

Florist: The Secret Garden NKY 

Videographer: Ryan Anneken 

DJ: Mcfadden Music DJs

Makeup: Veronica Brook

Bridesmaids Dresses: JJs House

Groomsmen: Mens Wearhouse 

Alterations to Bride’s Heirloom Dress: Darling Sew Shop

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