Amelia & Javier | Patapsco Female Institute wedding

When the coordinator (more on her later) told me Amelia and Javier's ceremony was only nine minutes, that didn't seem right.  I get in-the-zone during the ceremony so it's hard for me to judge how much time has passed, but I found it hard to believe that in nine minutes, they could pack in deep flushes, tears, words of wisdom from the officiant, handwritten vows and a whole lot of laughter.  Amelia and Javier had the most joyous recessional I've seen and I'm so glad I was there to snag it. wedding ceremony in ellicott city Their wedding was at the most fantastic venue ever, the Patapsco Female Institute (rental info here), the "ruins of a girls school" Amelia told me at our first meeting.  And that is exactly what the space is - no roof, half-walls, columns that lead to nowhere.  The space is maintained as-is - half falling apart, totally awesome.  Amelia and Javier's friends and family filled the space with all manner of joy and love and par-tay.  It was a good old time. The light in the Hotel Monaco in Baltimore was out-of-this-world.  Check it. photojournalistic wedding photography wedding photojournalism at hotel monaco artistic getting ready wedding photography bride getting ready at hotel monaco makeup pictures at the hotel monaco Meanwhile, in a suite across the hall... groom getting ready at the baltimore hotel monaco Bear is not one to be left behind for the festivities.  He wasn't invited to the main event, but he did get to hang with everybody before and after at the hotel.  And insisted on being the center of attention.  He's a good dog. bride and groom's dog at the hotel monaco Possibly my favorite getting-ready picture ever. wedding photographer Amber Wilkie groom getting ready with his dog getting ready at the hotel monaco groom putting on jacket at hotel monaco bride and groom portrait in hotel monaco mirrors bride going down hotel monaco stairs in baltimore The flowers at the wedding were not blooming things but "meaningful herbs" - but I never did catch the meanings. From Amelia: "Rosemary for love, loyalty & remembrance, thyme for strength, lavender for luck, mint for warmth, sage for domestic virtue." herb bouquet and boutenniere Her dress was perfect so we had to rock some of that floaty, swaying action. bride and groom pictures at patapsco female institute patapsco female institute wedding wedding photography at patapsco female institute ellicott city wedding photography bride and groom portraits at ellicott city wedding ring shot with burlap ribbon patapsco female institute wedding ceremony bride laughing during wedding ceremonybride and groom exchange rings at patapsco female institute bride and groom laughing at wedding ceremony wedding ceremony at patapsco female institute Amelia and Javier hired Rebecca Dick of Blue Canary Events a couple months before their wedding to help them with the planning.  Amelia told me she wished she had hired her from day one.  I was so impressed with Rebecca's attention to detail (she signs her emails "party planning perfectionist"!) and general I-got-this attitude.  She was amazing to work with and everybody should get on her bandwagon! reception decor at patapsco female institute cocktail hour at patapsco female institute reception decor with brown paper decorations wedding guests at patapsco female institute wedding wedding at patapsco female institute bride and groom toasting at patapsco female institute wedding reception reception decor with red brick and white candles first dance at patapsco female institute reception bride and groom's first dance dessert spread at patapsco female institute dancing at patapsco female institute wedding groom's family dancing at the wedding reception patapsco female institute wedding reception dancing at the wedding receptioncandle decor at the patapsco female institute bride and groom dancing during the wedding reception bride and groom artistic portrait at patapsco girls school last dance at the wedding reception in ellicott city Vendors: Getting ready venue: Hotel Monaco, Baltimore Ceremony and reception venue: Patapsco Female Institute Planner/coordinator: Rebecca Dick, Blue Canary Events (highly recommend!) Photography: me! Florist: Willow Oak Garden Paper Goods & Gift Bags: Golden Silhouette Designs DJ: Ricky Bulles Catering: Kloby's Smokehouse Dessert spread: Heidelberg Bakery Hair and makeup: First Impressions Salon Equipment rental: Grand Rental Events

The Oaks Waterfront Inn wedding

It was a rainy day, a surprise nor'easter when it should have been sunny and bright.  During the ceremony rehearsal, you could see the venue staff cleaning up the previous day's wedding - which clearly took place on the gorgeous lawn, overlooking the water.  I know my bride was anxious to take photos in all the wonderful picturesque (outdoor) locations at The Oaks Waterfront Inn.  But as the rain kept coming and coming and the temperature dropped while everyone was getting ready, it became clear that wasn't going to happen. bride and groom at the oaks waterfront inn She walked down the aisle with her mother and when she arrived, there was a puddle where she was supposed to stand.  So she shrugged and took a step back and laughed it off.  I was so impressed with the grace and ease with which this couple handled the day.  So rainy we can't do photos practically anywhere?  No big deal.  We have to move from Plan A not to even B, but right on down to Plan C?  Okay, that's cool.  These guys were so chill and it was clear they put every one of their guests at ease and as far as I can tell, everybody had a rockin' good time. details diptych from the oaks waterfront inn Her mom and aunt did hair and makeup for all the girls.  A seriously talented duo. bride and her mom getting ready before the wedding ceremony getting ready at the oaks waterfront inn bride putting on her dress at the oaks maryland wedding photographer We managed to skip on down to the dock which was, thankfully, covered! bride and groom on a rainy day bride and groom portraits in the rain at the oaks rainy day portraits at the oaks waterfront inn walking into the wedding ceremony bride laughing during wedding ceremony bride and groom at the oaks wedding ceremony macro ring shot with origami stars bride and groom enter the oaks wedding reception grandmother tearing up at the oaks waterfront inn mother of the bride Love this one of their families dancing together. families dancing during the wedding reception Their little nephew pretty much stole the show. holding a tiny nephew at the oaks waterfront inn boy sleeping during the wedding reception little boy at the wedding ceremony bride and groom dancing at the oaks waterfront inn the oaks waterfront inn wedding reception guests dancing at the oaks waterfront inn dancing at the wedding reception bride and groom share a last dance at the wedding reception Congratulations you guys! Vendors: Photography: me Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Oaks Waterfront Inn Hair & makeup: Bride's mother and aunt DJ: Mark Savage Catering: The Oaks

Laura & Adam | Corradetti Glassblowing Studio wedding

Every single couple, aside from having normal every day personalities, also have "wedding personalities."  Some are nervous in front of the crowd and like to hide in the corners, others are party animals, still more spend most of their evening greeting and socializing with their guests.  Laura and Adam, just about every time I turned around, were hanging with each other. Their wedding was warm, the food was great, and they've got some way-talented friends.  Plus, these two wanted to do photos in the industrial warehouse-looking places near the Corradetti Glassblowing Studio.  What more could a photographer ask for? baltimore wedding photographer Amber Wilkie first look in baltimore, md wedding at the corradetti glass factory wedding ceremony at corradetti glass factory corradetti glassblowing studio wedding ceremony walking away from the wedding ceremony directly after the wedding ceremony beautiful bride with a yellow arrow wedding portraits in warehouse wedding day portraits bride and groom drinking during portraits Corradetti is a really beautiful venue.  And it's in this amazing little artist colony type place in the middle of ho-hum Baltimore. corradetti glass factory wedding Laura and Adam's friend Chase rocked it hard in a little serenade for the couple. friend playing guitar at a wedding And something he played was outrageously funny, but I have no idea why. bride and groom laughing at corradetti glass factory first dance at corradetti glassblowing studio corradetti glassblowing studio wedding bride and her sister bride and groom portraits at corradetti glassblowing studio The caterers made ice cream on demand! icecream making at corradetti glassblowing studio bride and groom dancing during wedding reception dancing at the corradetti glass factory dancing at the corradetti glassblowing studio wedding bride dancing during wedding reception at corradetti glass studio Congratulations Laura and Adam! Laura and Adam's vendors: Photography: me, of course Ceremony and Reception Venue: Corradetti Glassblowing Studio Caterer: Chef's Expressions