Wedding Photography at St Matthew’s Cathedral Washington DC

Built in 1840, the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle is both a beautiful and historical place of worship. St. Matthew’s Cathedral is the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Nation’s Capital and is located off Rhode Island Ave. I was able to visit St. Matthew’s to photograph a wedding recently, and (as always!) was blown away by its beauty.

The red brick, sandstone, and terra cotta exterior is such a striking street view. Seating about 1200 people, the nave can host a large wedding yet its lush interior creates an intimate setting for a wedding not quite of that magnitude. The nave boasts a magnificent mosaic depiction of its namesake, St. Matthew, behind the main altar. The exquisite dome above the altar is studded with large windows that let in natural sunlight making it perfect for wedding photography. The green marbled altar is such an extraordinary feature. The bride’s train looked even more gorgeous when it was cascading down this beautiful architectural feature.

One of the most important parts of a wedding, besides the ‘I Do’s, of course, is the bride’s entrance. St. Matthew’s center aisle in lain with rich, crimson red carpeting making it perfect for elegant aisle photos. The bride’s white dress pops against such a deep background. The beautiful wood tones of the pews and the walls are complemented so nicely by the gold embellishments throughout the cathedral. Paintings of Bible stories, landscapes, and ethereal figures adorn the walls and intricate vaulted ceilings. Glass paned chandeliers hang from the high ceilings bringing all of this beautiful craftsmanship to light.

The Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle is hands down one of the most beautiful churches in which one can be wed. It is as if it has been plucked straight from a fairy tale. May this new Mr. & Mrs. live happily ever after…