Julia and Alex were married at
The Oaks Waterfront Inn near Easton, MD with an absolutely spectacular outdoor ceremony overlooking the lake. Julia and I go all the way back to college, where we shared an apartment, and her wedding rounded up tons of folks I hadn't seen in years. I was photographing their escort cards going "Oh hey! Wow, she's coming!" Also, shooting a friend's wedding is different than shooting a near-stranger's wedding. While editing this set of images, I was struck frequently with a compulsion to email Julia yet another preview going "LOOK HOW BEAUTIFUL YOU ARE!!" I managed to hold back until right now. Julia and Alex:
We started the day at
Serendipity Salon and Spa in St. Michaels, Maryland. It's the most adorable hair salon possible, but then again, everything in St. Michaels is adorable.
Julia wore the same veil her mother did on her wedding day.
First look on the verandah.
A trio of spies.
Alex is, to dramatically understate the situation, a golf enthusiast. Photos with golf-related things were mandatory.
Portraits taken, ketubah signed, we all headed out to the lake to see these two get official.
Julia's mom and dad came in on the golf cart, which, needless to say, is pretty awesome.
It's my blog, so I can put my friends on it and embarrass them. Years ago and many posing and photography skill levels ago, these two (who also happen to be some of my best friends) were super gracious and
posed for me in their wedding attire. For that matter, so did
Julia and Alex - there's a vague reference to a "domestic arrangement" in that blog post - probably they had just moved in together. "Awwwww," right?
Cocktailed up, everybody headed into the main room for more food and dancing and good times.
Julia and Alex had mardi gras beads made for their wedding. Julia and lots of the rest of us went to school at Tulane and most of us have managed to sneak some of New Orleans into our weddings.
That guy in the upper right would be my husband (and that's me with my back turned). Special thanks to my loyal, hardworking assistant, also named Julia, for doing extra duty at this wedding so I could shake it a bit with the crew.
Congratulations you guys!!
Julia and Alex's vendor team:
Ceremony and reception venue: The Oaks Waterfront Inn
Catering: same
Band: Sly 45
Florist: Amy Wilkins, Monteray Farms
Cake: Bay Country Bakery
Hair and makeup: Serendipity Salon and Spa
Julia's stunning dress: Betsy Robinson Bridal
Alex's dashing suit: Nordstrom
Videography: friends and family with wedit.com
We started the day at the Hotel Monaco Baltimore, one of my favorite hotels to shoot in.
I love me some birdcage veil.
I don't get too fussy with first looks normally, but when you've got a beautiful staircase like this, it begs to have some bride reactions on it.
Ever resourceful / trespassy, we hopped across the street to this semi-abandoned former bank. It's for lease, in case anyone wants to rent an enormous columned marble building in downtown Baltimore.
Then it was a quick scoot in the car to the Corradetti Glassblowing Studio for portraits and everything else.
The image on the left is in this amazing, huge industrial parking garage next to the gallery.
Go time.
Congratulations, you guys!
Layla & Shameka's vendor team:
Ceremony & reception venue: Corradetti Glassblowing Studio
Getting-ready venue: Hotel Monaco Baltimore
Caterer: Rouge Catering
DJ: DJ Andy Yorke
Cake & desserts: Flavor Cupcakery (gluten-free!)
Hair & Makeup: Maryland Wedding Makeup
Layla's dress: Nordstrom
Shameka's suit: J. Crew
These two got their marriage on elsewhere, but brought it on home for the party, so we had to do some photos by the Capitol.
A quick scoot down the road and we were at the 
And then we got to take photos inside, with no tourists, and free reign over exhibits. Yessss.
You all know I'm not much for the stoic bride and groom, but when you're standing in front of the Berlin Wall, it just seems appropriate.
Party time.
Orange uplighting everywhere, and a slideshow with images from their wedding ceremony.
This bar isn't normally here. The team arranged four separate pieces so that guests could sit right at the bar.
The bride is part of an improv troupe, so they performed at the reception!
My ever-hardworking second Julia stood outside and did impromptu photobooth with the U.S. Capitol as backdrop.
Congratulations you guys! Wedding part two, check.