Thomas and Theresa were married outside of the Catholic Church.  Being strong Catholics, however, it was important to them that their marriage to be sanctified by the Church.  Theresa and Thomas held a convalidation ceremony at St. Ignatius Chapel in Washington, DC, this summer– St. Ignatius Chapel is part of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown.  The St. Ignatius Chapel is one of my favorite churches, check out it’s unique set up with alter in the middle of the church!  (To see other St Ignatius Chapel wedding photos, see here.)

Convalidation ceremonies are usually much smaller than Catholic wedding ceremonies.  They include the couple, a priest and close family.

St Ignatius Chapel weddings are perfect for smaller weddings– my guess is less than 100.  St. Ignatius is unique because of the placement of the alter in the middle of the room and it’s age.  It was build in 1794.

St. Ignatius Chapel was used as a Civil War hospital to teach the wounded after the Battle at Bull Run– which if you ask me, is a long way to travel!!  It is difficult to lug heavy camera equipment up the stairs, much less the wounded.  The distance to Manassas/ Bull Run is far!

Because of its unique set up, St. Ignatius gives everyone a great view of the wedding ceremony.  Several rows of rattan-covered chairs line the left and the right side of the room– and alter.  A large, antique protects the stately pinewood floors.

The set up, however, prevents much movement during a wedding ceremony.  With this convalidation, I was able to move a bit– there were only 25 guests.  Because the sanctuary is in the middle of the room, and Catholic weddings prohibit photographers in the sanctuary, if the room has 100 guests, I highly recommend a second photographer.  St Ignatius Chapel wedding photos are limited when there are more than 25 guests