Irvine Nature Center Wedding // Katie + Joe’s Best Day Ever!

There are a hundred things that make Katie + Joe’s Irvine Nature Center wedding story one of the sweetest ones I’ve heard.

Like the fact that Katie is an artist (which is super cool). And that she swam the English Channel, solo and unassisted. And that Joe’s journey led him into the Peace Corp, and they met, bonded, and fell in love on a pool deck coaching a kids club swim team in Baltimore.

I could just leave it at that; those things are both everything you need to know and also just the beginning of their story.

Katie’s English Channel swim is a huge personal accomplishment for her, and Joe was her biggest cheerleader and kept her going in the moments that quitting seemed like the only way forward. He supported and encouraged her by jumping into the frigid water to swim with her as she made her way from England to France, but also by being right by her side countless times through trials and daily practices. In every way, they were, and are, a team.

And while I am SO proud of both of them, on their wedding day, those big life accomplishments were mentioned, but did not take center stage, as it would be so easy to do.

What did take center stage were their happy tears, their inexhaustible supply of joy, their gratefulness, and just how much they genuinely love each other.

In a grassy meadow, they were joined together with words about friendship and love, and read letters, not to each other, but to the family and friends who had been by their sides for so many years. There was nothing about their day that wasn’t heartfelt.

While I sometimes wish I had a crystal ball to be able to see into the future, I don’t need one for Katie and Joe. I know that they will continue to inspire one another, be there in every way for one another, and continue to use their endless supply of love and gratefulness to serve others. This was absolutely just the beginning of their beautiful adventure together.

See more photos from Katie + Joe’s Irvine Nature Center wedding over here!

So much thanks to the team who made Katie and Joe’s day amazing:

Venue: Irvine Nature Center

Officiant: Will Brockman (friend of bride & groom)

Day of Coordinator: Wedding Ninja, Kelly Brittingham

Band: Bachelor Boys

Caterer: Renaissance Chef

Beer: Union Craft Brewing & DC Brau Brewing Co. 

Donut Knots: Jefferson Pastry Shoppe

Dress: Da Vinci

Veil + Hairpiece: Mint Lola

Katie’s Shoes: Designed by the bride, made through Shoes of Prey

Hair + Makeup: Brocatos

Suit:  Knot Standard

Engagement Ring: Mociun

Wedding Bands: Poppyor

Lawn Games: Pumphrey Woodworks

Invitations: Designed by Bride, printed by Wedding Paper Divas