OnLove: ‘You find yourself changing into a better person’

Sarah Apghar wasn’t sure she’d look at Alex Painter’s Match.com profile, but after responding to a note from him, they started corresponding daily.

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Alex Painter and Sarah Apgar were married at the Meridian House, 1630 Crescent Pl., Washington, D.C., July 9, 2011.

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Alex Painter and Sarah Apgar’s ceremony modeled a traditional Quaker worship service. Apgar’s mother’s family is Quaker. The couple has been attending Quaker meetings in D.C. and hope to raise a family in the faith.

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Alex Painter and Sarah Apgar sign a Quaker marriage certificate. After a short period of silence following their signatures, friends and family were invited to stand up and share personal blessings.

Evy Mages / For The Washington Post

Sarah Apgar makes a funny face at Gavin, Painter’s 2-year old nephew, with his father, Adam Painter. Gavin was one of the two ring bearers for the ceremony.

Evy Mages / For The Washington Post

Alex Painter and Sarah Apgar pose for a photo after their wedding ceremony at the Meridian House. The couple met through the online dating site, Match.com.

Evy Mages / For The Washington Post

Painter wore a kilt to honor his Scottish grandparents, and the bridal party’s entrance was accompanied by a bagpiper.

Evy Mages / For The Washington Post

Guests of Alex Painter and Sarah Apgar’s wedding reception at the Meridian House pick up place cards decorated with green ribbon, one of the wedding colors that complemented the decorative theme that Apgar descrubes as "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" meets "The Great Gatsby."

Evy Mages / For The Washington Post

Sarah Apgar changes shoes after the ceremony. “I was feeling nervous I would fall because my shoes were really tall,” Apgar said. “I was holding onto my dad.”

Evy Mages / For The Washington Post

Alex Painter and Sarah Apgar’s ceremony was decorated in pink and green, the bride’s favorite colors.

Evy Mages / For The Washington Post

Each pair of Apgar’s six bridesmaids wore a different shade of pink (three total), with the flower girl wearing the palest shade of pink.

Evy Mages / For The Washington Post

Guests watch as Alex Painter and Sarah Apgar cut the cake at their wedding reception.

Evy Mages / For The Washington Post

Alex Painter and Sarah Apgar share the first bite of their wedding cake after the ceremony at the Meridian House.

Evy Mages / For The Washington Post

Alex Painter and Sarah Apgar dance to at their reception to songs played by the band Jangling Reinharts. The band wore superhero masks at the end of the night while they played

Evy Mages / For The Washington Post

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