allie + hunter | a joyful waterfront wedding at frederick douglass

When you think of a picturesque Baltimore wedding, can you imagine anything more perfect than a pier-side ceremony with sailboats filling the harbor and an epic golden hour sunset? 

That’s exactly the vibe Allie + Hunter achieved when they got married in October in Baltimore at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park and Museum. Full of water views, sailboats, and a waterfront cocktail hour on the patio, it was the most picturesque backdrop for guests to experience…

With temperatures in the high 60s, no clouds in the sky, and a light breeze, guests watched Allie + Hunter marry at the end of one of the most photogenic piers in Baltimore in front of a circular wooden arbor, adorned with lush greenery and ivory roses, anemones and peach colored blooms. The backdrop of sailboats and the Domino Sugar plant combined with constant laughter and candid joy — so many opportunities to document photos of family and friends with a photojournalistic feel! It was an incredible day for these two super sweet soulmates!

10 Memorable Moments and details from Allie + Hunter’s fall Wedding at frederick douglass maritime park:

1. Allie + Hunter both got ready at one of my favorite modern Baltimore hotels: the Canopy Hilton at Harbor Point. This contemporary, clean, and crisp hotel is full of natural light in every room, uninterrupted floor-to-ceiling waterfront views and a design that celebrates mid-century modern finishes in an elegant and luxe way.

2. Speaking of getting ready, Allie and her 7 bridesmaids incorporated confetti and personalized Chambongs, while they were getting ready. They had zero fun with these, lol. ;)

3. Favors for their guests were custom-made wooden coasters that featured a picture of their cute pup, Bruce, and their names. The fact that they were made by Hunter’s brother made them even more special!

4. One of my favorite moments of the day was Allie’s first look with her dad. Allie had told me that her dad gets very emotional and man! The emotions were sure flowing during this first look! Both Allie and her dad were crying happy tears when they saw each other.

5. Allie + Hunter’s first look went a little … differently. This fun-loving couple have an inside joke involving Guy Fieri so it only made sense that the chef made an appearance – sort of. During their first look, when Hunter turned around, he was shocked not to see his beautiful bride but, instead, a cardboard cutout of Guy! The laughter helped calm Hunter’s nerves and he was all smiles when Allie jumped out from behind Guy for their real first look.

6. The flowers, by Wanton Poppies, featured beautiful, textured fall florals complete with roses, dahlias, and anemones: beautiful, organic, and natural.

7. Allie’s seven bridesmaids all wore hunter green (get it? Hunter? ha!) floor-length gowns in various styles and the groomsmen wore navy blue suits. The colors really popped against the cobblestone streets and historic buildings in Fells Point.

8. Taking the time to enjoy a first look at your reception space is a new trend and I love when couples take advantage of it! Allie + Hunter took a moment away from the excitement of cocktail hour to peek at the reception they worked so hard to design, before it was full of happy guests. They got to practice their first dance and just enjoy a moment to themselves before getting back to their excited guests.

9. #urbanrowpup Bruce made another appearance once we got to the reception. The couple hired Lynny C to paint a photo of him on the signage for their bar. Their signature drinks also tied in their beloved pup with names like “Goodest Boy” and “Wonky Paw”. I just love when couples include their furry family members in their big day!

10. The cherry on the top of their perfect reception was when we snuck out to grab photos during golden hour. This sunset was unlike anything I’ve ever seen in Baltimore before! We timed it perfectly and got some really vibrant and radiant sunset photos right along the water.

Another reason having a wedding at Frederick Douglass Maritime Park is one of my favorite spots? The sunset views here are better than anywhere else in Baltimore. Yup, I said it!

10. What’s a Baltimore wedding without Berger cookies? Instead of a cake, Allie + Hunter cut a Berger cookie cheesecake while their guests enjoyed Berger cookie cheesecake bites, Smith Island Cake bites, and vegan key lime tarts! Zeffert & Gold crushed it with dinner, desserts AND drinks. DELICIOUS.

This Baltimore wedding was overflowing with love and laughter – even “Guy Fieri” got on the dance floor to party the night away in celebration of Allie + Hunter!

Allie + Hunter: you were an absolute dream to work with. Your love and laughter is contagious and it was obvious throughout your special day that every single guest was so excited and happy for you to start your lives together. I just know that you (and Bruce!) will be very happy for years to come. Thank you for allowing me to capture your wedding at Frederick Douglass Maritime Park - I can’t wait to see where all of your adventures take you!

xo,
Naomi

Vendor Team:

planning + coordination: The Otherside Creatives
venue: Frederick Douglass Maritime Park
hotel: Canopy by Hilton, Harbor Point
photography: Urban Row Photography
caterer: Zeffert & Gold
florist: Wanton Poppies
DJ: Mixing Maryland
beauty: Brushed Beauty
videography: Shutter & Sound
wedding gown: Maggie Sottero, Holly by Rebecca Ingram
boutique: Elite Secrets Bridal
bridesmaid dresses: Birdy Grey
veil: Jill Andrews Gowns
groom and groomsmen attire: Generation Tux
invitation: Minted
calligraphy: Lynn Cipollone
wood coasters: Groom’s brother, Chapel Creek Customs
lighting: Event Dynamics

lauren + tony | a modern wedding at two industrial baltimore venues

On a bright and warm Friday in June, Lauren and Tony not only became Mr. + Mrs. Assadi, but they hosted the biggest and best party they could have ever dreamed of attending!

Lauren got ready in their Harbor Point apartment with views of the water and the city down below while Tony got ready at his brother’s house in Canton; both were modern, well-lit and spacious but most importantly, filled with so much joyful energy with their family and best friends surrounding them.

Before Lauren’s dad came to their apartment for their father daughter first look, we stepped out onto the balcony and took bridal portraits of Lauren and her lace bridal wings… it left us speechless before their first look on the water in Harbor East and ceremony on the Frederick Douglass pier, framed by historic ships.

Enjoy these early (and too many because I couldn’t narrow them down!) favorites from Lauren and Tony’s wedding day!

THE 5 UNFORGETTABLE DETAILS AND MOMENTS FROM LAUREN + TONY’S MODERN, COCKTAIL STYLE BALTIMORE WEDDING RECEPTION:

1. Their chic sense of style: specifically Lauren’s bridal wings, made from lace from her mom’s wedding dress (!), her bridesmaids in mismatched shades of light blue (her MOH sister was in a gorgeous floral patterned dress and both a bridesmaid and another sister wore a jumpsuit… LOVE!) and Tony’s classic tux with a fun pocket square fabric and cuff links that were a gift from Lauren on their first Valentine’s Day together; they say “from here to mars” in her handwriting

2. Their 240+ loved ones on the pier at their ceremony at Frederick Douglass officiated by Tony’s cousin Jamey and then the lounge seating and upscale vibe of the furniture throughout every single room of the Dye House at their cocktail style reception

3. Acoustic singer songwriter Brent Michael Wood arranged and performed a unique first dance song just for them

4. The hanging greenery above the head table against the textured, worn walls of the Mt. Washington Mill Dye House

5. Golden hour perfection under the arches where they got a chance to soak it all in as the sun set on their first official night as a married couple!!

Congratulations, Lauren + Tony! You did it… you hosted the most fun party ever and I hope you enjoyed every minute of this incredible day! Always remember to continue to savor and soak in the beautiful life you are building together. You have the love of so many friends and family surrounding you… from here to Mars… ;)

xo,
Naomi

vendor team love:

ceremony venue: Frederick Douglass Maritime Park
reception venue: Mt. Washington Mill Dye House
planning: Nouvelle Weddings
photography: Urban Row Photography
videography: Rivion Wedding Films
beauty: Up Do’s for I Do’s
florals: Steelcut Flower Co.
acoustic guitar: Brent Michael Wood
band: Bachelor Boys Band
catering: Linwoods Restaurant
gown: Rita Vinieris, Alyne Richmond
boutique: Garnish Boutique
bridesmaids dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Baltimore
rentals: Select Event Group, Pretty Little Wedding Co.
production: 27 Studios
transportation: American Limousines

2019 In Review | candid, fun and vibrant wedding photography for modern couples

Getting married is definitely one of those pinch-me moments in life, but I continue to pinch myself after 10+ years of marriage because I am lucky enough to document authentic love stories, full-time. I truly mean that; I feel so lucky every single day to celebrate love and document memories for future generations as my career and passion.

2019 was quite a year… I’m going to let these photos do the talking since they do a better job than my words ever could. The joy and energy that our couples bring to every interaction I have with them is refreshing, energizing and so full of love and personality. I was honored to be the wedding and portrait photographer for these fun, genuine and passionate couples and families, with even more Baltimore and Maryland weddings to come in 2020!

Here goes… enjoy these highlights from the year, all chosen to show off a variety of locations, light and love.

sneak peeks | kelsey + bryan's modern gray wedding at frederick douglass

One look at these two together and your heart just melts! The vibrant, contagious smiles on both of their faces stayed there all day; we couldn’t have been happier to be a part of Kelsey + Bryan’s modern waterfront wedding at Frederick Douglass Isaac Myers Maritime Park in Baltimore, one of the city’s oldest existing waterfront industrial buildings.

To say their day was perfect is an understatement! Here are 7 reasons why this September wedding is one I’ll want to repeat over and over:

1. dramatic clouds with no precipitation, no squinting and no harsh shadows; we had our pick of portrait locations because the clouds provided such even light

2. a gentle breeze coming off the harbor as they recited their vows on a historic pier between two absolutely stunning sailboats, Lady Maryland and Sigsbee

3. family that traveled from across the country and the pond to witness the beginning of their marriage together (some had never been to a big city like Baltimore!)

4. a wedding party that helped us run ahead of schedule the entire time which rarely happens and made me so happy for them and the endless amount of photos we were able to take… my favorite of the day was when we found scooters right in front of the metal doors at Frederick Douglass and this too-cute-for-words couple, hopped on for a photo like it was their JOB!

5. the ice cream sandwich bar with cookies made by the groom’s mom and ice cream by Taharka Bros… we won’t talk about the mini donut burger appetizers that Copper Kitchen provided during cocktail hour (!)

6. the bride’s dad built wooden lanterns that were the perfect ceremony and cocktail hour decor filled with eucalyptus, greenery and anemones.

7. and if all of that wasn’t enough, guests enjoyed a prime view of fireworks across the harbor from the dance floor during the reception (that were completely unexpected and a happy accident, thanks to Fort McHenry’s Defenders Day)!

We are so happy and honored to have gotten to know you two over the last year and hope you have the most memorable and relaxing honeymoon in Key West! Here’s hoping they can make you a Camden Crush to sip on the beach!! ;) Cheers to the new, #marriedmacks!

shoutout to the incredible vendor team!

venue: Frederick Douglass Isaac Myers Maritime Park
photography: Urban Row Photography
florist: Bay Blossoms
DJ: Paul Parrinello
Officiant: Rev. Lauren Muratore
catering: Copper Kitchen
dessert: Taharka Bros. Ice Cream + cookies by groom’s mom
hair: Allison Harper & Co
makeup: Swept LLC
wedding dress: Casablanca
dress boutique: Savvi
groomsmen attire: The Black Tux
groomsmen accessories: The Tie Bar
invitations: Etsy + couple DIY
reception decor: Event Dynamics
transportation: Apollo Transportation