Catholic Wedding with Foot Washing Ceremony at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church

This feature was photographed and submitted by Beauty of the Soul Studio.

Molly and Drew began their day with a joyful atmosphere as they each prepared for the day in their respective hotel rooms. Their rooms had beautiful views of the nation’s capital out their floor-to-ceiling windows. As they got dressed and ready they each had a clear sense of peace. Drew had a simple white bouquet of roses delivered to Molly’s room in the morning as a reminder of his loving presence in those hours before they would see one another. Then Molly’s new mother-in-law gifted her a special rosary before she got ready with the help of her mom and maid of honor. Before everyone headed off to the church, Molly’s father then came in for a sweet “first look”. Drew’s mother also visited his suite for her own more casual yet touching first look with her son.

Molly and Drew’s wedding was sophisticated, joyful, and dreamy. With the wedding taking place during Advent, we had colder weather and darker evenings. So we relied on more indoor activities and photo ops. Their more urban DC setting and unique reception venue, The Line Hotel, were perfect for photos! Molly and Drew had timeless, neutral details; from the simple yet sophisticated ivory florals to her elegant off-the-shoulder wedding dress with custom sleeves to fit the season.

Their Catholic faith was woven throughout the day, starting with Catholic jewelry and a rosary pinned around the bride’s bouquet. Their church ceremony was beautiful with the sanctuary full of vibrant poinsettias. After the ceremony, they had a private foot washing ceremony in a side chapel followed by their formal portraits. Lastly, there was a beautiful crucifix and large image of the Wedding of Mary and Joseph behind their sweetheart table.

Their ceremony was beautiful with poinsettias filling the space and joyful looks on the faces of everyone but especially Molly and Drew. From her walk down the aisle to their big kiss and every moment in between there was so much joy radiating from the couple. After their formal portraits inside the church, everyone left for cocktail hour while Molly, Drew, and I moved into a side chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. There Molly and Drew had a private foot washing ceremony together. I had seen and photographed a more public foot-washing ceremony between the bride and groom at receptions before. However, I felt especially touched by this more private display of devotion. It was one of my favorite wedding moments of all time.

The foot washing ceremony is a sweet tradition that models after the Last Supper when Christ washed the feet of his disciples. This ceremony symbolizes how the bride and the groom are to serve each other in their vocation of marriage. This is a beautiful act of love, humility, and respect.

We spent the remainder of cocktail hour taking sophisticated and fun portraits of the bride and groom in various unoccupied rooms around the hotel. My favorite portraits were in the mezzanine where we snuck away during the reception for a few minutes. The mezzanine is the most iconic spot in the hotel. It features huge stained glass windows and a bespoke hanging art piece made from a pipe organ.

Their reception was joyful, with good food and many happy tears. The dance floor stayed busy for the remainder of the night, until Molly and Drew shared a private, last dance together.

Vendor Team

Hotel + Reception Venue: The Line Hotel

Ceremony Venue: Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church

Planning + Coordination: White Lily Weddings

Photographer: Beauty of the Soul Studio

Videographer: Foxlight Films

HMUA: Wedding Day Ready Glam

Styling Mat and Overlay: Olive and Oak Styling Mats

Deo Gratias Rosary/Ring Dish: House of Joppa

Rings: Brilliant Earth

Bridal Jewelry: The Little Catholic

Wedding Dress: Ava Laurenne

Bridesmaids Dresses: Birdy Grey

Groom’s Suit: Calvin Klein

Groomsmen Suits: Vera Wang at Men’s Wearhouse

Florist: Le Chateau de Crystale

Limo Services: ING Limo

DJ: DJ Welvin Wong with MyDeejay

Cake: Buttercream Bakeshop (permanently closed as of Jan 1 2024)

Reception Image of Wedding of Mary and Joseph: Catholic to the Max

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