tori + sam | a black tie accelerator wedding with sentimental color

Do you know what happens when two people that share an immense amount of love, respect and passion for their family and each other, come together?

Your world lights up and you never stop smiling. Tori + Sam are the kind of people you immediately feel comfortable around, like you’ve known and loved them your whole life.

These two [and their families!] are incredibly special. Their warmth, drive and impeccable sense of style meant their wedding day was full of more candid moments of joy than you can imagine. Moments of laughter alternated with happy tears on constant rotation from the moment I stepped foot in the hotel room that morning to the last dance as the donut crumbs were being enjoyed. Their engagement shoot felt like something out of a movie, with pizza, wine and their dog.

Their Accelerator Space wedding was crisp, upscale and stunning yet still approachable and down to earth… and their love story tops them all. If you don’t know how they met, you need to read their meetcute in the engagement post above!

Enjoy these {many} favorites from their June Accelerator Space wedding… :)

15 Favorite Moments and Details from Tori + Sam’s Accelerator Space Wedding:

  1. In celebration of Sam’s Grandpa Jerry, the wedding color palette was black with pops of red. Grandpa Jerry wore red to every important family occasion! To honor him, Tori wore red Badgley Mischka heels and all of the wedding flowers were bright and vibrant shades of red. All of the men wore red socks with their initials embroidered in red, along their suspenders. 

  2. Tori had a first look with her bridesmaids and moms… then her dad and brother entered the hotel suite and saw her first too, which was so sweet — they all cried!

3. Tori + Sam had a first look of their own in Harbor East, where they read private vows to each other before the wedding. It made the occasion so much more intimate and meaningful.

4. After a few more harborfront portraits of the newlyweds, we took group portraits near the Accelerator Space in a lush, garden-y North Baltimore neighborhood with just the right amount of shade, space to spread out and beautiful afternoon light.

5. One especially beautiful moment before the ceremony was during the ketubah signing when Sam signed in his Hebrew name. Such a touching way to honor the past and his family’s history!

6. Since Tori is Irish and Sam is Jewish, they got married in a beautiful interfaith ceremony officiated by two of their best friends against the textured metal wall and under the most beautiful glowing afternoon sunlight streaming through the enormous skylights.

7. When it was time for cocktail hour, the light pouring into the Den where Tori got bustled, was simply exquisite. Frankly, the light coming into this venue at all times is just a photographer’s dream!

8. Tori created one of the most modern and simple yet lush seating charts I’ve ever seen! It consisted of black acrylic boards hanging from a frame with white letters and greenery wrapped up and around the edges.

9. The reception decor included black taper and pillar candles in gold candlesticks and glass on every table with arrangements full of deep reds, oranges, pinks and maroon flowers; the anemones are my fave! It all added up to a vibe that was modern and edgy, yet romantic and elegant.

10. Their signature drinks were an aperol spritz and a brown derby, adding a perfect splash of color to everyone’s hands! And a drawing of their #urbanrowpup Brewer and cat Brisket, made an appearance on their cocktail napkins!

11. Seeing Tori’s face light up when they entered and saw the reception space for the first time was definitely a highlight for me…

12. Continuing to incorporate and include all kinds of family + faith traditions, Sam’s grandmother gave a Jewish blessing and Tori’s grandmother shared an Irish blessing right before dinner. The guests didn’t miss out on honoring Grandpa Jerry and many of them celebrated with a red ribbon tied around their ankles which was really noticeable and fun to see once the dance floor opened.

13. Tori + Sam are such a fun loving couple and knew they wanted to throw a really great party. Their band, Sound Connection from the Washington Talent Agency, provided that exact vibe — the energy was so intense that I thought the floor was going to give in during the hora!

14. Taking advantage of golden hour during dinner was beautiful; the sunlight got more golden-y as we entered the patio and we ended in front of the glass garage door on the ramp that was lined with greenery and all of the colorful flowers from their welcome party, in glass bud vases.

15. Right before the night ended, Tori changed into a sequined asymmetrical dress with a side slit and spaghetti straps. She was breathtaking and the patio portraits we snuck out to take against the dark sky were everything and more!

Tori + Sam, your wedding was one for the books! I loved how you incorporated so much meaning in all of your details, while still keeping the vibe so quintessentially you. Every time we’re together, it’s like hanging out with the best old friends (and the ones with the best sense of style!)… I wish you both nothing but the best in the future and can’t wait to see what you accomplish together!

Thank you, thank you for everything. For being you, your patience and trust, and for allowing Sam to buy you those dollar beers that faithful night! I’ve said it before, but the world truly needs more of your love in it. Congrats again, cuties!!

xoxo,
Naomi

VENDOR TEAM:

venue: Accelerator Space
coordination: 1423 Events
photography: Urban Row Photography
catering: Zeffert & Gold
beauty: Swept
florals: Holly Frisch
rentals: Pretty Little Wedding Co
cake: Taste This Cake
band: Washington Talent’s Sound Connection
boutique: K & B Bridals
shoes: Badgley Mischka
groom’s attire: Indochino
bridesmaids: Azazie
rings: Patty Chaitoff
jewelry: The Jewelry Shop
draping + lighting: Event Dynamics

sneak peeks | steve + joe's baltimore wedding at the assembly room

To say it was an honor to be a part of Stephen + Joe’s wedding is an understatement. It’s hard for me to put into words how much love and connection was palpable between these two and their family, friends and guests!

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The day started with Joe getting ready at their home in Bolton Hill (where their #urbanrowpup Luther stayed close to him the entire time!) and Steve getting ready at Hotel Indigo, downtown. As the trolley rolled up to Hotel Indigo, Steve and Joe saw each other in their custom tuxedos for the first time and joined their wedding party for a fun and lively trolley ride down to Fells Point for portraits and back to Mt. Vernon park for the ceremony.

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In front of 250 friends and family, there were heartfelt stories of love, connection and memories shared. Vows started with “I’m going to try not to ugly cry...” and ended with stories of spontaneous decisions early in their relationship that are an invaluable part of their story to this day.

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My favorite part of the day was when the ceremony was over and the entire wedding party and their guests walked Steve and Joe down to the Assembly Room, along the sidewalks and through the streets of Baltimore… it was such a sight to see so many people gathered together to share in and support their wedding!

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We couldn’t be happier for you, Steve and Joe! Your marriage and the strong connection you two share is something so many hope for. Here’s to dancing in the streets together for years to come...

xo,
Naomi

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Vendor Team love:

planning: Brian Christopher & Co.
photography: Urban Row Photography
venue: The Assembly Room
invitations: Kindly RSVP Designs
catering: Rouge Catering
band: Rollex Band
ceremony music: Chris Schoberg
lighting + production: 27 Studios
transportation: American Limousines
getting ready: Hotel Indigo
custom grooms attire: Heywood & Ringo

sneak peeks | elizabeth + donald's winter wedding at the baltimore country club

Elizabeth and Donald’s winter wedding at the Baltimore Country Club had the most incredibly chic, elegant and beautiful meaningful elements making up their day - I’m overjoyed to share these early favorites with you!

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You need to peek at this exquisite December wedding that had:

  • Jayce the pug as their dog of honor in a bowtie

  • an ivory, burgundy and gold festive holiday color palette

  • a bouquet of burgundy peonies, white anemones, white calla lilies + eucalyptus

  • Elizabeth’s grandmother’s fur stole

  • confetti cannons raining on the dance floor

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And I also want to share a PSA that rain on your wedding does NOT mean disappointment and dreary photos - quite the opposite! With creative areas of cover, snuggling together to stay warm and clear umbrellas, it means we get to be more creative and you get the best luck… you know, because rain on your wedding day is good luck (coming from this husband and wife photography team that got married at a vineyard during a hurricane and still look back on it and laugh 10 years later)! ;)

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Congratulations again, lovebirds! ps: Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas’ has always been one of my favorites to listen to this time of year and now memories of confetti swirling around as I hear it will always bring me back to your day!

xo,
Naomi

huge thanks to this talented team!


planning: Brian Scott
venue + catering: Baltimore Country Club
ceremony: The Church of the Redeemer, Baltimore
getting ready: Baltimore Marriott Waterfront
hair/makeup: Ariel Lewis
invitation + paper goods: mlc designs, llc
florist: Rutland Beard Florist
band: Bachelor Boys Band
shoes: Badgley Mischka
videographer: Black Tie Video
dress: Romona Keveza
boutique: Garnish Boutique
bridesmaid dresses: Lula Kate
bridesmaid dress boutique: Bella Bridesmaids
groomsmen attire: Tom James Company
transportation: Superior Tours and American Limousines, Inc.