The first line of Lauren and Sean’s First Dance song begins, “To be young and in love…” while another line reads, “I like me better when I’m with you.” Throughout their entire wedding day in Rochester, New York all I could think was how youthful and fun their day was and how truly obvious it was that they really do complete one another.

When you’re in the room with just one of them, you feel incredibly lucky — they’re both hard-working, happy, kind, animal-loving, good-looking people. They can light up a room all on their own. But, when you get them together, it’s just… magic. It’s sparks and fairytales and all the cheesy lines you can imagine. 

They first met, believe it or not on e-Harmony. Both sets of loved ones spoke on their wedding day about how absolutely clear it was that they were perfect for one another once they saw the other one’s love for animals and similar interests. 

Although they live in Washington, D.C., not too far from this Maryland wedding photographer, they wanted their wedding day to be centered near family in Rochester, New York. 

Their day was sunny and filled with the happiest of little moments and the most beautiful of details. Sean and his groomsmen went to a nearby grooming salon and then returned to the DoubleTree Inn in Henrietta for their prep time together, while Lauren and her girls got ready in the bridal suite at the DoubleTree. It was calm and joyful in both rooms and the anticipation in each of them continued to grow in the hours leading up to their church ceremony in nearby Pittsford. 

Once the ladies were all pampered and fussed over by Erica Stoy Hair and Eva Jewel Makeup Artistry, Lauren and her mom shared some incredibly emotional and powerful moments together getting the lace wedding dress buttoned, jewelry and shoes on. The way Lauren’s mom looked at her with such pride was one of my favorite moments of the day. 

Before leaving, Lauren and Sean separately read letters the other had written them. Sean smiled nonstop while Lauren was laughing through happy tears at Sean’s words (and pictures!). 

At the ceremony a little while later, loved ones gathered as Lauren and her dad laughed together and strolled down the aisle toward an excited Sean who couldn’t stop smiling at his bride-to-be. Their best man and family friend was watching Sean’s happiness and couldn’t contain his happy smile, either. 

After their Catholic mass and family formals, the bridal party traveled to Rochester’s City Hall for some photos inside the historic building’s beautiful marble atrium area. Lauren and Sean love each other so effortlessly that posing wasn’t even an issue. Their love and natural movements made for some exquisite moments captured. 

With glowing candles and flowers by Bradley James Designs, the reception at the DoubleTree was a beautiful backdrop for a night of dancing, laughter and… fire? 

Just after the speeches, dinner, cake-cutting and first dances, the fire alarm lights started strobing and the music came to a startling stop. It was a real fire alarm (and, we’d find out later, a real, although tiny smoky fire caused by a cigarette in some mulch by the front lobby area) that caused our newlyweds and their guests to be covered in towels and blankets and taking it all in stride while they spent about 35 minutes outside of the hotel and the Henrietta Fire Department took care of the small incident. 

One of the best moments? When everyone returned to the reception space and their DJ from BreakThrough Entertainment began playing a series of “fire”-themed songs, starting with “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and including “The Roof is on Fire” and “Fireball.” Everyone was laughing so hard and the dance floor stayed packed until the end of the night. 

Even when their reception was literally up in smoke; even when the weather was colder than anticipated; even when their cake from GetCaked accidentally slid off of the serving plate — no matter what issues popped up, as they always do on wedding days — Lauren and Sean just laughed it off and kept positive and joyful. They are so in love and were so happy to be celebrating that love and to be surrounded by so many loved ones. 

Congratulations, Lauren & Sean! 

Thank you to these amazing vendors: 

Wendy Zook Photography
DoubleTree Inn
Rochester City Hall
Tressa Marie Photography
Matt’s Next Level Media
BreakThrough Entertainment
Eva Jewel Makeup Artistry
Erica Stoy Hair
Get Caked
Bradley James Designs