January 16, 2019

St. Raphael Orthodox Iowa City Wedding | Mr and Mrs Arndt

When I was contacted about this Orthodox wedding in Iowa City by the groom, I was so excited. I love getting to learn new wedding traditions. It’s a perk of my job! Since this was my first time attending an Orthodox ceremony, I prepared by emailing with Fr. Ignatius at St. Raphael to make sure I understood the traditions and was respectful of the ceremony.

I always especially look forward to weddings where my primary contact has been with the groom. 99% of the time I almost exclusively talk and plan with the bride, so I get super pumped about the groom taking charge in the photography area. As I got to know Matthew and Katherine, I learned about how they met at the UI School of Music and how their shared love of music (obviously) and traditional values brought them together. Matthew even proposed by faking a celebration of the anniversary of Schoenberg’s Six Little Piano Pieces, writing “Marry Me?” on the cake. Well, maybe the celebration wasn’t fake, but the motive was!

When asked what was most important in their wedding coverage, it was very clear that Matthew wanted to make sure that we had plenty of portraits of Katherine in her dress. When you scroll down to see, you will understand! And his reaction when seeing her for the first time made me tear up in the moment and beam with delight as I relive that moment. Definitely my favorite reaction from a groom for 2018! Their advice for other couples is practical and SO IMPORTANT: Share your expectations with each other.

Venue: St. Burch Tavern
Dress: Bridal Bliss
Tux: The Black Tux
Rings: Hands Jewelers
Floral: Every Bloomin’ Thing
Cupcakes: Molly’s Cupcakes

Exterior shot of St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City, IAOrthodox wedding ceremony details, St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City, iowa city wedding photographer, cedar rapids wedding photographer
Important elements of an Orthodox wedding ceremony include crowns, a chalice and of course, rings.
Orthodox wedding ceremony details, St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City, iowa city wedding photographer, cedar rapids wedding photographer
Orthodox wedding ceremony details, St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City, iowa city wedding photographer, cedar rapids wedding photographer
Orthodox wedding ceremony details, St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City, iowa city wedding photographer, cedar rapids wedding photographer, interior entry at St. Raphael in Iowa City
bride steaming her wedding gown while getting ready for her orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City
Groom getting corsage pinned on before orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City, Iowa CIty wedding photographers, cedar rapids wedding photographer
Groom getting corsage pinned on before orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City, Iowa CIty wedding photographers, cedar rapids wedding photographer
kids playing piano at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City
The little flower girl and ring bearer killing some time together on the piano.
Bride getting ready and preparing for Orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City, Iowa CIty wedding vendors, Cedar Rapids wedding vendors
Bride getting ready and preparing for Orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City, Iowa CIty wedding vendors, Cedar Rapids wedding vendors
Katherine’s dress was so detailed, it took a few of us to make sure all of the tiny buttons were done up correctly!
Bride getting ready and preparing for Orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City, Iowa CIty wedding vendors, Cedar Rapids wedding vendors
I love the awed look as this little girl watches a bride transform into a princess right before her eyes!
bride preparing to see groom before Orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City, Iowa CIty wedding vendors, Cedar Rapids wedding vendors
groom preparing to see bride before Orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City, Iowa CIty wedding vendors, Cedar Rapids wedding vendors
A groom sees his bride for the first time as she rounds the corner before their orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City, wedding photographer, Iowa City photographer
A first look was never planned, but I knew Matthew and Katherine weren’t seeing each other until the ceremony. I’m so glad I caught Matthew’s reaction as he turned around. I think this might be my favorite reaction of 2018! He could not stop smiling!
A groom sees his bride for the first time as she rounds the corner before their orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City, wedding photographer, Iowa City photographer
A groom sees his bride for the first time as she rounds the corner before their orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City, wedding photographer, Iowa City photographer
A groom sees his bride for the first time as she rounds the corner before their orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City, wedding photographer, Iowa City photographer
That face says it all!
A groom sees his bride for the first time as she rounds the corner before their orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City, wedding photographer, Iowa City photographer
A groom sees his bride for the first time as she rounds the corner before their orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City, wedding photographer, Iowa City photographer
A groom sees his bride for the first time as she rounds the corner before their orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City, wedding photographer, Iowa City photographer
Adoring her groom…
A groom sees his bride for the first time as she rounds the corner before their orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City, wedding photographer, Iowa City photographer
Orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City
Blessing of the rings
Orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City
Crowning ceremony
Orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City
Orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City
At this point in the ceremony, the couple circles the altar three times to signify their unification as a couple and with God.
Orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City
Orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City
Orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City
Katherine and Matthew were serenaded by their guests as a wedding gift.
Orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City
Orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City
Matthew’s best man performed a very moving original piece for the couple.
Orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City
Orthodox wedding ceremony at St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City
Bridal portrait of bride and close up of pink bridal bouquet outside St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City
Katherine’s gown was so elegant and regal. I loved the modest gown with it’s intricate details.
Detail shot of bride holding pink bridal bouquet and her rings.
Detail shot of flowers in the bride's hair and the detailed lace of the back of her dress.
Bridal portrait of bride and close up of pink bridal bouquet outside St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City
Bride and groom portraits in downtown Iowa City, Iowa City wedding photographer
Bride and groom portraits in downtown Iowa City, Iowa City wedding photographer
A favorite restaurant for the couple, they decided to hold their small reception dinner in the downstairs lounge of St. Burch Tavern.
downstairs at St. Burch Tavern in Downtown Iowa City
downstairs at St. Burch Tavern in Downtown Iowa City
flower arrangement downstairs at St. Burch Tavern in Downtown Iowa City
Cupcakes set up downstairs at St. Burch Tavern in Downtown Iowa City
wedding guests downstairs at St. Burch Tavern in Downtown Iowa City
Receiving a heartfelt gift.
wedding guests downstairs at St. Burch Tavern in Downtown Iowa City
wedding guests downstairs at St. Burch Tavern in Downtown Iowa City
wedding guests downstairs at St. Burch Tavern in Downtown Iowa City
wedding guests downstairs at St. Burch Tavern in Downtown Iowa City
bride and groom sitting in booth at St. Burch Tavern in downtown Iowa City.
bride and groom sitting in booth at St. Burch Tavern in downtown Iowa City.
bride and groom sitting in booth at St. Burch Tavern in downtown Iowa City.
Bride and groom portraits in downtown Iowa City, Iowa City wedding photographer
Bride and groom portraits in downtown Iowa City, Iowa City wedding photographer
Bride and groom portraits in downtown Iowa City, Iowa City wedding photographer
Bride and groom portraits in downtown Iowa City, Iowa City wedding photographer
Bride and groom portraits in downtown Iowa City, Iowa City wedding photographer
Bride and groom portraits in downtown Iowa City, Iowa City wedding photographer
Bride and groom portraits in HotelVetro lobby, Iowa City wedding photographer
Bride and groom portraits in HotelVetro lobby, Iowa City wedding photographer
Bride and groom portraits in HotelVetro lobby, Iowa City wedding photographer
Bride and groom portraits in HotelVetro lobby, Iowa City wedding photographer
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COMMENTS

Gah, so beautiful! I was there, but you’ve captured it even more beautifully than I remember (probably because I was wrangling a kid while pregnant and deeply regretting my choice of shoes). Well done, Barb!

Thank you so much! The ceremony was so beautiful and intricate. And you were a great kid wrangler!

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