Weekday Elopement at Rawlings Conservatory
Ami and Zach had a relaxed weekday elopement at the courthouse in Towson. After they tied the knot, I met them at Rawlings Conservatory for a portrait session.
Ami and Zach had a relaxed weekday elopement at the courthouse in Towson. They started their day with homemade breakfast (I think it involved something baked with blueberries- yum!) and light chores around the house. There's something exceedingly romantic about acting out your everyday routine and then hopping in the car to get married. After they tied the knot, I met them at Rawlings Conservatory for an hour's worth of portraits.
When Ami had first approached me, she emphasized how much she loved my candid style. We started our session true to form by climbing a giant tree. When they were perched on top, they recollected how their first date was spent climbing trees at Druid Hill Park. I loved that serendipity!
The greenhouses at Rawlings are something special. There are four main rooms and we took our time wandering through each and checking out the various flowers and foliage. It's a perfect venue, rain or shine. There's a Mediterranean room, a tropical room with a koi pond, a cactus garden, and the palm room with giant trees reaching the ceiling.
Ami and Zach were dressed to the nines and their colors fit right into the environment- him in a grey suit, and her in a pink Indian sari and her mother's scarf. We found all sorts of stunning photo backdrops and they looked like they belonged in each one. Like part of the landscape.
Eco Friendly Wedding at The Elm in Hampden
Allison and Dan's Earth Day wedding had two priorities- have FUN with family and friends who traveled from all over the country, and keep things as eco friendly as possible. It was hosted at one of Baltimore's hidden gem's, The Elm in Hampden. It's owned and operated by a couple who live there, so it has charm and nostalgia and small personal touches scattered about that make it feel incredibly cozy. There are vintage posters on the wall, rustic furniture made of wicker and wood, and mismatched floral textiles.
Allison and Dan's Earth Day wedding had two priorities- have FUN with family and friends who traveled from all over the country, and keep things as eco friendly as possible. They started by forgoing traditional invites and opted for e-cards from Paperless Post. I was so impressed when I got mine! Allison managed to find a design that mirrored her bridesmaid's dress, a marbled texture reminiscent of a geode slice. Table decor was simple and sweet- primarily flowers with touches of what I assume was Allison's personal geode collection. Amethyst, quartz, etc. I've shot a lot of weddings and scroll a LOT wedding instagram photos and I'd never seen this theme before.
The wedding was hosted at one of Baltimore's hidden gem's, The Elm in Hampden. It's owned and operated by a couple who live there, so it has charm and nostalgia and small personal touches scattered about that make it feel incredibly cozy. There are vintage posters on the wall, rustic furniture made of wicker and wood, and mismatched floral textiles. One of the owners is an artist so his work (large scale chalk illustrations of Monaco) are the main decor in the dining room.
Allison and her bridesmaid/bff/maid of honor both wore upcycled dresses, which I thought was so cool. Not only was it a much more affordable option, but it was especially fitting for an Earth Day wedding. Party favors were a mixture of seed bombs, amethyst, quartz, and agate. Every detail of this wedding was thoughtful and unique! I feel so lucky to have been asked to document such a special day!
WEDDING VENDORS
Invitations- Paperless Post
Officiant- Will Walter, Allison's Yoga Teacher
Florist- Local Color Flowers
Caterer- Peter Halstad
Bakery- Pâtisserie Poupon
Live Musicians- Rod Hamilton
Wedding Dress- La Vie En Blanc
Shoes- Cordiani // Badgley Mischka
Rings- Catbird NYC - groom / Sofia Zakia - bride
Hair- Marina Kaniecki - Smoke and Mirrors Salon - Instagram @marinakaniecki
Makeup- Christina Somensky
Tie- Marshalls
Bridesmaids' Dress: Thred Up
Linens/China/Cutlery: Nancy Long
Placecards/Signs: Moss graffiti made by Allison
Lake Roland and Clavel Wedding with Tacos!
After the ceremony, we headed back to their home in Hampden to feed the dogs and soak up some AC for 15 minutes. Then we hopped in the car and headed to Clavel for tacos and ice cream. The light was stunning and cast shadows of the numerous houseplants lined up in the restaurant window.
Lindsay and Matt weren’t going to hire a photographer, just like so many of the couples I get to work with. Sometimes it’s not a priority, sometimes it’s just not in the budget, and sometimes it’s just that so many friends have cameras and iPhones that take great pictures. I get it! But I’m obviously an advocate for hiring a professional to document your wedding day, no matter how unscripted and casual it is. I’m so glad they asked me and it feels like such a stroke of luck that we got to make these photographs together.
Initially, they planned to meet with a few family members at Lake Roland for a pop-up ceremony. When the guest count approached 30, they rented out one of the pavilions overlooking the water. Seating was simple- picnic tables- and decor was unnecessary because Baltimore is a lush jungle right now! Lindsay’s dad walked her across the bridge, up a winding pathway, all the way to Matt who waited for her at the edge of the pavilion. It was overcast that day and HOT. Like really sweaty, gross, sauna-hot. Lindsay had stopped for a Tropicool snow cone before getting to the park and she walked it down the “aisle” and gave it to Matt after saying their vows. I love her for this, probably more than she realizes.
One of the sweetest parts of the day were the flowers. Matt has a habit of picking flowers up for Lindsay from the grocery store almost every week. Years ago, he brought home a bouquet of delicate lisianthus. They promised each other that this would be the flower included in their someday-wedding. Lindsay made her own bouquet and the bridesmaids made theirs along with Matt’s boutonniere. Another sentimental detail was the gold bracelet she wore. It belonged to Lindsay’s great grandmother and every woman on her dad’s side has worn it for their wedding.
After the ceremony, we spent about half an hour taking portraits around Lake Roland, then headed back to their home in Hampden to feed the dogs and soak up some AC for 15 minutes. Then we hopped in the car and headed to Clavel for tacos and ice cream. The light was stunning and cast shadows of the numerous houseplants lined up in the restaurant window. All of their many friends (in addition to 30 family members) were waiting to celebrate with them. Seriously, this was such a dream wedding to photograph, not to mention, delicious!!
PS. I loved their invitations screenprinted by Globe Printing in Baltimore. They even made some guestbooks from the spare invites!
VENDORS
Invitations: Globe Printing
Officiant: Katie Flament (Matt's sister)
Florist: Lindsay made her bouquet, Katie made hers and Lauren Knowlson, Lauren Flament made hers and Matt's boutonniere (by way of ordering flowers online)
Caterer: Clavel
Bakery: The Charmery
DJ: Landis Expandis
Bride's Dress: Marchesa Notte
Bride's Shoes: Kelly and Katie (a DSW brand)
Wedding Rings: custom made by Mineralogy in Chicago
Jewelry/Accessories: Bauble Bar
Hair: Lindsay Hall at Flaunt
Makeup: Owen Michael
Groom's Suit: Suit Supply
Tie/Bow Tie/Pocket Square: Bonobos (tie), Suit Supply (pocket square; embroidered by Lindsay)
Elegant Wedding at Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase
There is SO much character at this venue- wallpaper, crystal chandeliers, bookcases, textiles, velvet chairs, vintage rugs, and more! It was hard to pick where to photograph the details, let alone the people!! I came ready for rain, but we lucked out with amazing (albeit Maryland summer hot) weather and got to explore the gardens and rolling golf courses outside.
Ashley and Kevin tied the knot in August at one of the most beautiful and elegant venues I’ve ever seen, Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase. When they first got in touch, I was a little intimidated- I mean, it’s a country club. I don’t really feel like country club material. But Ashley specifically shared they types of photographs she was drawn to and they were all candid, down-to-earth, lively, fun, and a little goofy. She wanted photojournalistic coverage at a venue that typically caters to formal, traditional, and heavily posed. I was up for the challenge!
There is SO much character at this venue- wallpaper, crystal chandeliers, bookcases, textiles, velvet chairs, vintage rugs, and more! It was hard to pick where to photograph the details, let alone the people!! I came ready for rain, but we lucked out with amazing (albeit Maryland summer hot) weather and got to explore the gardens and rolling golf courses outside.
The detail I loved most about this wedding was Ashley’s lockets on her bouquet. They were filled with photographs of her grandparents! Speaking of flowers, holy mother of wedding altars!! This florist was a family friend of the couple and did an outstanding job sourcing local, in-season flowers. She created stunning displays for the mantles and centerpieces too.
While Ashely and Kevin are not high school sweet hearts, they did meet in high school and have maintained closed friendships with a huge group of people from those early days! As a result, their wedding party was enormous!! Ashley specifically asked for more relaxed and lighthearted portraits of this group of friends and I was happy to oblige. We snuck in some Wes Anderson-style portraits too. Just for good measure!
After their ceremony, a live band played during cocktail hour and when dinner was ready, we all loaded into the same room they said their vows in, only now transformed into a magical, candlelit ballroom! They had what must have been 300+ wedding guests, and dinner was served with such ease! I was majorly impressed with this venue’s organization.
On one half of the room, a stage sat framed off by curtains and on it, The Bachelor Boys Band kicked off the dance party! I’ve never heard such awesome live music at a wedding before. This group knows how to get people moving. Their covers were better than the originals!! At some point, they transitioned into the familiar beat of the hora song and EVERYONE joined us on the dance floor. Ashley had a look of excitement (and panic) on her face and I’m sure she’ll never forget the adrenaline rush of being bounced in the air on her wedding night surrounded by a bunch of chanting, slightly inebriated family members! I absolutely love the energy at a Jewish Wedding reception! Nothing compares.
VENDORS
Invitations: Minted
Wedding Planner: Audrey Ross, Columbia Country Club
Officiant: Bruce Rosenblum, family friend
Florist: Meg Owen Floral Designs
Caterer: Columbia Country Club
Live Musicians: Bachelor Boys Band
Bride's Dress: BHLDN
Wedding Rings: Boone & Sons
Hair: Sweet Hairafter
Makeup: Allison Pearlstein
Groom's Suit: Hugo Boss
Bridesmaids' Dresses: Shona Joy
Rocklands Farm Wedding with Sungold Flower Co.
Aubrey and Jason celebrated their intimate, 50 guest wedding at Rocklands Farm in Poolesville, Maryland where Aubrey works during summers. Being close friends with the talented ladies at Sungold Flower Co. (who grow and create right there at Rocklands) she asked me to emphasize their beautiful bouquets, hanging installations, and garlands filled with seasonal Maryland flowers and foliage.
Aubrey and Jason celebrated their intimate, 50 guest wedding at Rocklands Farm in Poolesville, Maryland where Aubrey works during summers. Being close friends with the talented ladies at Sungold Flower Co. (who grow and create right there at Rocklands) she asked me to emphasize their beautiful bouquets, hanging installations, and garlands filled with seasonal Maryland flowers and foliage.
