whitney + ryan | a maryland zoo + rawlings conservatory elopement

The only thing that could have made Whitney + Ryan’s elopement better would have been if their 4 cats could have joined in the fun… yes, 4 (all named for mushrooms: Shiitake, Porcini, Enoki and Crimini)!

So, naturally the next best thing was to include a penguin and get married in an intimate elopement ceremony at the Maryland Zoo. Taylor of Taylored Vows, officiated and inspired not only smiles and loving glances, but memorable laughter throughout their vows on the steps of the Mansion House.

I couldn’t be more excited to share what their day looked like… CONGRATULATIONS, W+R!!

WHITNEY + RYAN’S MARYLAND ZOO + RAWLINGS CONSERVATORY ELOPEMENT WAS FULL OF FUN, CANDID JOY AND A PENGUIN!

It was just the 2 of them, myself, their officiant, and their own personal chauffeur (from the zoo) to take us around for photos, after getting close and cozy with Lilly, the penguin! A true elopement that was so much fun and exactly what Whitney and Ryan wanted for their wedding…

It didn’t rain at all, despite the threatening skies (but I wore boots and had umbrellas just in case! The sun showed up during their vows and then went back to hiding behind clouds for their portraits… this was actually a great thing since it meant less squinty eyes!

We ended outside among the lush gardens at Rawlings Conservatory and took some of my FAVE PHOTOS EVER because they’re so stinkin’ cute together and we had the place to ourselves (another reason Tuesday weddings are worth it!!)

Whitney and Ryan, you two compliment each other so perfectly and share such a special connection, I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity to document your elopement! I hope this day was full of more happiness and love than you could have imagined… and it only gets better from here!

xo,
Naomi

lianna + brian | an intimate baltimore rooftop elopement in federal hill

The amount of joy and laughter Lianna and Brian exude is nothing short of contagious… I honestly can’t stop smiling and am so happy you two were able to celebrate it in the intimate, meaningful way you wanted!

L + B planned an intimate weekday rooftop elopement at their home, but first they celebrated in their own adorable way by making stops for photos in Fells Point, Federal Hill park and ending at Little Havana for a fun and cozy dinner reception with 🌶 sauce as their favors, yummy margs🍹, a cigar bar and my fave: a candy s’mores bar with 5 different flavor combos (genius, really)!!

When I asked Lianna if there were any important or significant details they were incorporating into their elopement, she replied with this… “Nothing inherently special or significant besides being surrounded by our families, in our home and favorite places to spend time in together…” Pretty sure that’s all you need in life.

Enjoy these favorites from their intimate Baltimore rooftop elopement!!!

I love their ‘how we met’ story…

“Every year, my college sorority would host a duck hunting-themed date party where everyone dressed in camo and jorts - classy! In 2013, I took one of my friends (who happens to be a great friend and former roommate of Brian's) and he went with one of my "sisters". We spent the night in the same circle of people but not really chatting too much with each other one-on-one. For the next year, Brian referred to me as "Naime's date" because he couldn't remember my name (and to be honest, I had no clue what his name was either... I just thought he was the cute guy in the crew!) Finally, we called each other out on it and haven’t stopped talking since (unless of course, he is on the golf course)!”

And since their proposal took place on their roof deck, that’s also where they got married…

“On October 3, 2020, Brian and I spent the whole day just the two of us (and our pup, Abby, of course!) This is pretty rare for a nice Saturday in golf season so I was excited to just have a nice day together! We started out by taking a walk around Lake Roland and eating brunch in Hampden. The rest of the day we watched our college team actually win a football game (also pretty rare these days) and being lazy at the house. When night rolled around, Brian suggested we go have a drink on our roof deck. He had strung lights and lit our firetable so it was a beautiful scene to walk up to. That is where he got down on his knee and asked me to be his wife, just the two of us!”

Congratulations, sweethearts! Your excitement, joy and laughter is contagious… hope you never stop enjoying each other’s company like this! You’re absolutely onto something with beginning your married life together by celebrating in all of your favorite Baltimore spots.

We were honored to be a part of this day with you and your families! Cheers to more rooftop sunsets and keeping things spicy… just remember to always keep laughing and “be cool, be cool, be cool”.

xo,
Naomi (+ Liz, associate photographer)

vendor love:

bouquet and rooftop florals: Thurman & Fig
restaurant florals: Fleur de Lis Baltimore
beauty: Brushed Beauty
dinner reception: Little Havana
cake: Codetta Bake Shop

megan + anthony | a snowy winter wedding on valentine's day

On a cold, snowy Valentine’s Day in Maryland, Megan + Anthony became husband and wife in an intimate church ceremony after getting ready at home alongside their pups and closest friends and family. Their property looked exceptionally beautiful covered in a blanket of snow!

Megan’s lace gown was simply perfect accessorized with pearl earrings, a pearl hair clip and a cathedral veil with lace edging. Her bridesmaids wore various shades of blush and burgundy that looked so elegant against the bright white backdrop of snow and their light blue garage doors! Anthony’s touch of warmth and a fun pattern came from a bit of plaid in his scarf, that complimented his vibrant navy blue suit.

These next few images might be my favorites of their wedding day… the kind of candid laughter you can’t make up and getting ready moments that came together so beautifully!

As I clicked the shutter, I remember thinking Megan’s expression was 100% worth whatever random weird thing I said to make her crack up. :)

Working with Jacs of Beauty by Jacs was so effortless; she is immensely talented at her craft (just look at Megan’s makeup!) and one of the sweetest vendors and humans I’ve ever worked with!!

After they officially became newlyweds, we went back to their house for a few pics with the pups (they had TWO #urbanrowpup sweeties!) and Megan changed into a beautiful floor length red gown for their intimate dinner reception… they did get married on Valentine’s Day, after all!

Congratulations to you both, Mr. + Mrs. Walker!! I absolutely loved being a part of your special day and meeting Percy and Savannah, who absolutely stole the show… ;)

Makeup: Beauty by Jacs
Shoes: Kate Spade Keds
Florals: Forever Floral
Wedding Gown: David’s Bridal
Cake: Dulce Cakes
Church: Piney Grove Methodist Church
Dinner: Michael’s Cafe in White Marsh

sarma + chandler | an elegant and refined wedding at home in annapolis

The sky was full of clouds for most of the day this past Saturday. The temperature was perfect, but the sky wasn’t sure what it wanted to do as gray storm clouds hovered above with blue sky trying to peek out. Just before the sun actually set, golden light beamed through the trees and cast the warmest glow on this beautiful newlywed couple.

Sarma and Chandler had very different wedding plans a few months ago; their winter wedding in downtown Baltimore suddenly couldn’t take place due to Covid, so they moved their wedding to the lawn of their serene yard overlooking the water, in the place they now call home.

Watching their first dance together as husband and wife under the stars and bistro lights of the clear top tent, they radiated joy and so much promise for the life they will continue to build together for decades to come.

Their late October wedding was full of incredibly simple yet chic details that tied everything together so perfectly:

1. I almost lost it when I saw Sarma in her beaded cape from BHLDN - it looked like it was made for her! Talk about breathtaking!!

2. Her half-up, half-down hairstyle with twists and loose curls created a playfully elegant and soft, romantic vibe.

3. A lush and modern bouquet full of ranunculus, garden roses, scabiosa, burgundy dahlias, butterfly ranunculus and pink lisianthus was the perfect combination of dark and light tones.

4. An intimate dinner was held on the deck, under a clear top tent lined with bistro lights, burgundy linens, floral napkins and gold cutlery. The clear chiavari chairs only elevated the look.

5. Signature cocktails (French 75 for her, Bulleit on the rocks for him) and cigars were enjoyed while the sun set within a pastel colored Fall sky.

Congratulations to you both!! I was honored to document the official start of your married life together and wish you many more epic sunsets together!

xo,
Naomi

VENDOR LOVE:

planning + design: Lynn Aaron of Nouvelle Weddings
photography: Urban Row Photography
florals: Stacy Bowen Floral Design
caterer: Classic Catering
tent + lighting: Loane Bros.
music: Hill Chamber Music
makeup: Kristen Floyd Bridal
hair: Up Do’s for I Do’s
officiant: Anita Varzbergs-Paža
rentals: Select Event Group
day of paper: MLC Designs
dress: BHLDN Caron V-Neck Crepe
cape: BHLDN Palmer Cape
shoes: Badgley Mischka Jewel Tessy Embellished Sandal

victoria + nial | a colorful mini wedding in downtown baltimore

Victoria and Nial have a love story that all started on a Baltimore bench (after initially meeting on Bumble!). These two share the sweetest love and admiration for each other while also appreciating the importance and love of family, connection and good food. I’m SO excited to share their micro wedding and courthouse elopement with you!! It’s full of tons of color, modern details and my favorite portrait locations in Baltimore!

“On New Years Eve we were going to a comedy show and I told her we would walk to this taco spot before for dinner. She didn’t know this would happen and she invited a friend to join us. I told him the plan and asked him to try to get some photos. Then while passing our bench I asked her to take a picture with me on the bench and then proposed.

She was surprised. Speechless for a bit. And said YES! We went to eat tacos and the comedy show. I don’t think she could stop smiling. She cried only as it sunk in, as we were having tacos. She didn’t want the tears to ruin her makeup…”

How incredibly gorgeous is Victoria’s bouquet?! So colorful while also being soft, elegant, romantic and not too bold… LOVE!!!

OBSESSED, actually.

A beautiful day for a stroll and some portraits in Patterson Park near the pagoda, just down the street from where they call home… city life and love at its finest.

After leaving Patterson Park, we stopped at this bench on the corner of Eastern + Wolfe St. in Upper Fells; this is the same bench where Victoria + Nial first met and later on, where he surprised Victoria and proposed! It was only fitting to have it flowered and full of lush color and a super romantic look for photos, by Steelcut Flower Co. Their #urbanrowpup Raffi even got in on the blooms with his own floral collar!

Our last stop of the day was in Fells, for portraits on the water at Broadway Pier before the happy couple celebrated with cocktails and dinner at the Pendry. But first, what celebration would be complete without popping champagne?!

Sending you all the love and congratulations as you continue getting used to calling each other husband and wife, Victoria and Nial! You planned such a flawless day with so many lovely ways to celebrate how your Baltimore love story came to be!

xo,
Naomi

…huge thanks to this talented team!

florals: Steelcut Flower Co.
dress: Calvin Klein
suit: Calvin Klein
videography: Adam Green
dinner reception: Sagamore Pendry
ceremony: Baltimore City courthouse