There are beautiful wedding days, and then there are wedding days that feel like they could only have happened exactly where they did. Brie and David’s was one of those.

Their celebration unfolded in not one, but two of Providence’s most iconic spaces—the breathtaking Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul and the historic Providence Public Library— each setting reflected a different part of their day perfectly. The Cathedral gave them a ceremony filled with faith, reverence and meaning, while the Library became the backdrop for an elegant celebration filled with laughter, incredible speeches, dancing and all the people who love them most.

A Wedding Ceremony at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul

It is nearly impossible to walk into the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul and not immediately look up.

The Cathedral has been part of Providence history for well over a century, and its Gothic Revival interior is nothing short of spectacular. Its soaring, richly painted ceiling and intricate woodwork draw your eyes upward, while stained-glass windows crafted in Innsbruck, Austria, in the 1880s fill the space with incredible color and light (history lesson #1😅 .)

And then Brie walked down the aisle. Even surrounded by all of that history, architecture and stained-glass art, she was still the first thing you noticed.

Their Catholic mass was every bit as meaningful as the setting. The ceremony centered not simply on the celebration of a wedding, but on the blessing and commitment of marriage—the faith, love and partnership Brie and David were choosing to carry into the life they were beginning together. There was something incredibly moving about watching them make those promises surrounded by their families and closest friends in a place that has witnessed generations of marriages before theirs.

It was grand without losing its intimacy, which is not an easy thing to accomplish in a space that magnificent.

From the Cathedral to the Providence Public Library

After the ceremony, the celebration moved downtown to another Providence landmark: the Providence Public Library.

The Library’s original Venetian Renaissance building opened in 1900, and its architecture gave us an entirely different—but equally stunning—setting for Brie and David’s portraits. The marble staircase, columns, arches and intricate architectural details gave every photograph this timeless, almost European feeling (history lesson #2 😁)

As a photographer, it was basically a playground. Every turn gave us another frame.

Once the reception began, the historic space transformed again. Fairy lights brought warmth into the ballroom, stunning florals filled the tables, and the combination of candlelight, architecture and all of the thoughtful details Brie and David chose made the evening feel incredibly romantic.

And then came the first dance—and Brie and David had a surprise waiting for everyone. Brie changed into a second wedding dress, something a little simpler but every bit as elegant, chosen specifically to move with the choreography they had spent months practicing. And practice clearly paid off! They moved across the dance floor with spins, turns and some seriously impressive lifts, bringing plenty of oohs and aahs from everyone watching. It was elegant, fun, completely unexpected, and such a perfect way to kick off the celebration.

The Story Behind Brie & David

One of my favorite parts of a wedding reception is listening to the people closest to the couple tell their story, because you inevitably learn pieces of their relationship that photographs alone could never tell.

David works in the restaurant industry, and it was that career that brought Brie into his life. His younger brother and best man, John, took everyone back through the story of their relationship, and did so while keeping the entire room laughing.

Brie’s mom followed with the kind of speech only a mother can give, reflecting on raising the incredibly smart, determined and driven woman standing in front of her and sharing just how proud she was of the life Brie had built.

Haley, one of Brie’s best friends, reflected on years of friendship, memories and adventures together, becoming emotional as she talked about watching her begin this newest chapter of her life. Those are the moments I love watching through my camera… the laughter that turns into tears, the quick glances across the room and the realization that the people standing beside you have been there through so many different versions of your life.

After the speeches,tThe bridal party understood the assignment. Completely.

They kept the dance floor alive with some genuinely impressive moves, a whole lot of laughter and exactly the kind of energy you hope your closest friends will bring to your wedding day. These weren’t simply people dressed beautifully and standing beside Brie and David for photographs. They showed up for them all day long, helped everything flow seamlessly and then made absolutely sure the celebration lived up to the occasion.

Brie and David, thank you for trusting me to document a day that meant so much to both of you and to everyone who loves you. Getting to tell this chapter of your story—from the stained glass and painted ceilings of the Cathedral to the marble staircases of the Library and one very lively dance floor—was an honor I won’t soon forget.

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Sherman. ❤️