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
Look how much fun running is!
I was cracking up at the incredible hiding skills of the egg-hiders. To be fair, most of the kids were toddlers.
After a relaxing morning enjoying the scenery, weather and location, our heroes packed up and headed to the Kent Island Hilton Garden Inn.
While getting some nature scenes for Anna and Justin (you'll see one below) during the morning, I went along their fun run route and scoped out this stunning pine grove. It was at the very top of my list to do portraits, and these two made no objections.
Many thanks, as always, to my intrepid second shooter Julia, who snagged the lovely portrait below.
When there's a dock, you take photos on the dock.
After the toasts, and the eats, it was time for some hard-core partying and dancing.
So I have no idea what the backstory is here, but these necklaces with shotglasses on them were passed all over the dancefloor.
Their friends and family helped decorate the center.
And folks, they decimated the photobooth. I had to change batteries twice!
Congratulations, you guys!
Anna and Justin's rockin' vendor team:
Ceremony and reception venue: Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center
Getting ready venue: Kent Island Hilton Garden Inn
Caterer: Garden & Garnish
DJ: Music Masters
Florist: Singing Frog Farm
Pies: friends and family and Singing Frog Farm
Anna's lovely dress: J. Crew, Cheryl Lofton alterations
Justin's dashing suit: Hugh & Crye
Graphic Design: Johnny Rocket
Rings: Caleo
I don't often go out to the Eastern Shore - not sure why, just don't get that many folks asking about it (though I would love to do a beach wedding this year!). So it was really nice to be by the water. Here's the view from the bride's hotel suite:
Love Point at Kent Island really was a gorgeous venue. I had to stop the car on the drive in and take some photos.
Orange at a wedding. It's the best.
All morning, it rained and these big dark clouds filled up the sky. Just in time, with only a few minutes to spare, it cleared up. The staff dried off the chairs and the wedding went on at Love Point's gorgeous balcony overlooking the ocean.
Forgive me so many detail photos. I really liked their classy but laid-back setup - orange napkins and wicker chargers and little bits of seashells here and there.
And it's fair to say that I was obsessed with this tulle-and-Christmas-lights thing they had going on on the ceiling. You'll see more of it below.
Just before they're announced.
Congratulations you guys! And thanks again to Jessica for having me out.