Tigist and Adugna’s Wedding at The Bellevue Conference and Event Center in Chantilly, Virginia – Virginia Wedding Photographer

One might be tempted to think that as U.S. based wedding photographers, we at Judah Avenue would be limited in how many people we would have the opportunity to share a special day with. But, just as love knows no distance and no bounds, we have learned over and over that we have opportunities like none other all the time. One of the greatest opportunities we have had to be a part of a young couple’s wedding day at the Bellevue Event and Conference Center in Chantilly, Virginia, was with Tigist and Adugna, two lifelong friends who became lovers, and now face the world as man and wife.

Adugna and Tigist grew up together in Ethiopia. As neighbors, they got to see plenty of each other as children, and eventually that friendship blossomed into something much more. They travelled to the states, where Adugna proposed to Tigist by a lake in Charlotte, North Carolina. And that was just the beginning of their adventure.

 

We at Judah Avenue caught up with the couple at the Bellevue Event and Conference Center in Chantilly, Virginia, and eagerly snapped photos as Tigist made ready for her big day surrounded by friends and family. As Tigist had her makeup applied and took the opportunity to pose in a few photos with her bridesmaids, it is clear how much love these women have for their friend. And why not? She was as elegant as a queen!

Even before her hair was fully done or her dress was on, there was something so stunningly beautiful about Tigist that made her look as though she stepped right off the cover of a bridal magazine. Then, when she finally donned her white gown, we snapped as many photos of her and her bridesmaids as we could, as they, too, enjoyed taking snapshots of this wonderful day.

The limo arrived to carry the bride to her destination, the Bellevue Event and Conference Center in Chantilly, Virginia, and that is where we took several sharp shots of Adugna, who looked mighty elegant himself surrounded by his groomsmen.

The church was stunningly furnished, and it wasn’t long before friends and family members flooded through the aisles, nearly filling the building from corner to corner. And then, the ceremony began. The priest stood at the front of the room with Adugna waiting eagerly in front of him, but all eyes were on Tigist as she swept up the aisle in a gown that looked like an angel’s.

Their joyful and emotional exchanging of vows only further proved what a deep love and connection this couple feels for each other, and there were more than a few happy tears spread among the friends and family members. Though we snapped as many photos as possible during the special moment, the celebration was only the beginning. As soon as the ceremony was over we flooded the front yard, taking photos on the glorious steps and the dark green grass, which beautifully complimented the colors of the bridesmaids’ gowns.

Then, the real celebration began. In the grand ballroom of the Bellevue Event and Conference Center that was so elegantly decorated for the young couple, the cake stood tall and proud, catching the eye of everyone who came inside. Blessings and congratulations and dancing erupted, as friends and family alike wished the new couple all the best in this next chapter of their lives.
With elegant decorations and stunning lighting, the entire event looked as though it was a scene taken right out of a fairytale, and we captured it all. Toasts and tearful speeches were given, and from the oldest to the youngest it was clear that this was a night full of fun and celebration for everyone.After the dinner, jokes, and more dancing, the bride and groom worked together to cut the cake, and the celebration lasted long into the night. We are so glad to have the opportunity to be a part of Tigist and Adugna’s special day, and we wish them all the happiness in the world from this day on!

Judah Avenue is a wedding and lifestyle photographer based in Silver Spring, Maryland, please visit our Instagram page @judahavenue to see current updates and to connect with us if you are looking for a creative wedding and engagement photographer in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia. Our studio address is 718 Cloverly Street, Silver Spring, MD 20905. Telephone (240) 643-4708, or you can email info@judahavenue.com