rachel + daniel | a relaxed october wedding at historic london town gardens

Rachel + Daniel’s wedding was overwhelmingly full of love, sweet details and one of the best dance floors I’ve seen all year! Their gorgeous venue had waterfront views, historic significance and gardens that despite the rain, were still stunning and lush.

Asher walked down the aisle, joined them for portraits on the main lawn and stayed in the getting ready suite, hanging with their wedding party until it was time to get married — he was the best #urbanrowpup.

It was seriously the best and most relaxed day, even with the rain moving the ceremony inside the Waterfront Pavilion. Rain on your wedding day means good luck, right? With all of the love Rachel and Daniel share, I don’t know if this adventurous couple needs anymore luck, but I’m sure happy that they got some!

The weather might have forced us to move inside to Plan B for Rachel + Daniel’s London Town wedding, but the entire day was still so full of love, happiness, and so many laughs. It was also a great excuse to bring out the clear umbrellas I always have on hand! Being prepared and flexible is the best way to be on your wedding day…

8 Favorite Moments and Details at Rachel + Daniel’s Historic London Town & Gardens Wedding

1. Getting married at Historic London Town and Gardens outside of Annapolis meant a historic waterfront venue with some of the most lush wildflower gardens ever.

2. Rachel wore a simple silk gown with an intricate lace v-neck top and her hair in a half up / half down style. Daniel wasn’t leaving all the style to Rachel, though! He also looked incredible in his gray suit, red tie, and amazing long, straight, blonde locks.

3. One of my favorite things about their wedding was that they had bridespeople and groomspeople. Gender doesn’t matter when it comes to supporting the people you love! 

4. When it came time for everyone to see Rachel, her first first look was with her grooms and brides people, followed by her dad and finally with Daniel… each one was met with happy tears, smiles the size of the room and overflowing love.

5. The ceremony was held in the Waterfront Pavilion, an elegant indoor space with big bright windows and a warm wood ceiling. One of Rachel + Daniel’s good friends officiated — he added so much personality and lighthearted fun to their ceremony!

6. Their pup Asher, stole the show. I’ve had quite a few dogs come to my couples’ weddings for pictures, but not many dogs can handle the stress of walking down the aisle; Asher rocked it! He was such a good boy and everyone loved him. A huge shout out to BeMore Pet Care for being on pup patrol for the big day!

7. Dinner was held under a romantic draped tent connected to the pavilion with an epic entrance as they ran from one covered space to the next, in the rain and full of unbridled joy. The favors they gave all of their guests were glass jars full of honey from Rachel’s dad’s bees — so sweet!

7. After dinner, the party really got started but not before Rachel had a chance to change into a short sequined dress and white sneakers to dance the night away. I always love it when brides have a wardrobe change for the reception!

8. Man, this couple knows how to party! DJ Little Rock from Mixing Maryland started at 100 and kept the vibe going through the entire evening. With the LED foam sticks at the end, it really felt like a club atmosphere. I know everyone will remember this night for years to come!

Rachel + Daniel, the gloomy clouds might have dampened the gardens, but they sure didn’t dampen the excitement on your big day. Everyone was just so happy to celebrate you and your love. You are so optimistic, positive, and fun that it’s easy to see why! Thank you for letting me be a part of the first day of your official new married adventures!

xoxo,
Naomi

VENDOR TEAM:

venue : london town weddings
planning : social graces events
photography: urban row photography
videography : fordham films
caterer : zeffert + gold
lighting : event dynamics inc.
lounge, rentals, arbor : honeywood rentals
florals : something borrowed blooms
dessert: blue crab cupcakes
dj : mixing maryland djs + dj little rock
beauty : swept llc
pet care : bemore pet care
dress : anthropologie weddings
groom’s attire : suit shop

cecily + stephen | a modern and relaxed excelsior wedding

To know Cecily + Stephen is to love them!!

Seriously. Their engagement session at Clipper Mill was so full of fun and laughter that I knew their wedding would be, too. Cecily + Stephen have the best personalities: laid back, loving, thoughtful, and up for anything. It made their wedding day at the Excelsior so much fun to photograph!

Cecily + Stephen’s wedding was the perfect blend of historical elegance and industrial chic. It was relaxed and fun, yet romantic with a bit of edge. Every single person that attended their wedding had the best time… the dance floor was full the entire night, with multiple generations dancing at all times!

11 Memorable Moments and Details from Cecily + Stephen’s May Wedding at Excelsior:

1. Cecily + Stephen got married at The Excelsior in Lancaster, PA. Since I hadn’t photographed a wedding there before, I took a trip up to Lancaster a few weeks before their wedding, to tour the space with Cindy of Planned Perfection, their wedding planner. Having plenty of time beforehand to get to know the space and plan out the photos I wanted to get really helped maximize our time together during their wedding.

2. Their venue was the perfect mix of historic and elegant yet industrial and unique — with exposed brick and plaster walls and exposed beams in the courtyard, the ivy growing up the brick walls softened the space and provided a gorgeous and lush natural backdrop.
   
   This multi-building property is a National Historic Landmark that includes outdoor courtyards, an elevator shaft turned speakeasy, and an underground brewer’s catacombs. I couldn’t get enough!

3. Since The Excelsior is right in downtown Lancaster, there were a ton of amenities around for Cecily + Stephen’s guests! Having a great hotel within walking distance of your venue is a big plus, especially with a large wedding party. The Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square is just a quick walk down King Street from The Excelsior which made it so easy for everyone!

4. Cecily was so confident and beautiful in her form-fitting Pronovias gown. It was a simple design with elegant beading down the sides that expressed her personality perfectly: effortless and subtle, yet interesting and striking all at the same time. Her long, voluminous ponytail, romantic makeup, and light pink Badgley Mischka heels complemented the look flawlessly.

Stephen’s suit was also full of style: a dark navy blue, it featured white polka dots in a strong and structured geometric design. I love when grooms step a little outside of the box and rock a wardrobe choice that reflects their personalities.

5. The flowers were as big and beautiful as Cecily’s ponytail and caught your eye in the same way. A classic white and green color palette with white orchids cascading down the front of Cecily’s bouquet left me speechless. Every arrangement was full, lush, organic and a little bit wild in the best way. ;)

6. Before meeting Stephen for their first look, Cecily had a first look with her dad. Exposed brick and plaster walls with tons of natural light provided the perfect background for these emotional portraits… everyone had happy tears streaming down their cheeks! Documenting these joyful, intimate and raw moments gets me every time.

7. Cecily + Stephen chose to have their first look on the observation deck of the venue. Private and quiet, I couldn’t think of a better spot for this intimate moment as they read notes they wrote to each other… this is my new favorite way to carve out a few minutes of memorable time together on your day. Bonus: you’ll always have these words to look back on and relive the memories of when you first saw each other on your wedding day!

8. We took all of their wedding party and family portraits before the ceremony, in the Empire Room. Located at the front of the venue, this room features historic floor-to-ceiling windows that flooded the space with natural light. Another plus? It was large enough to hold both of their families and large wedding party and still leave us with tons of space to work and move around. This room is definitely one of my top 5 favorite family portrait spots of all time. We were lucky enough to have a gorgeous sunny day, but if weather became an issue, this room would have been the portrait spot AND ceremony location… not a bad plan B!

9. Cecily’s uncle officiated their ceremony in the open-air courtyard and included lots of meaningful and hilarious stories about how their relationship came to be… lots of laughter plus super bright sun and warm afternoon temps with a green wall forming an epic backdrop for their vows made this an unforgettable ceremony.

10. After the ceremony, cocktail hour was held in the sunken courtyard and brewer’s catacombs. They had passed hors d’oeuvres, a Tuscan charcuterie station, and a seafood station complete with live goldfish swimming in bowls that decorated the table. I’ve never seen anything like it!

11. When it was time to start the reception, Cecily + Stephen entered from the corner… a grand sweeping entrance down the historic, curving staircase. The reception also included an elevator shaft turned speakeasy where guests could grab Old Fashioneds, a dessert bar with every dessert imaginable, and a late night snack of cheeseburgers and fries. Howie from 3 West Productions kept the dance floor rocking at the highest level and C+S danced their way into newlywed life with the best energy!

Cecily + Stephen, you are the sweetest and most adorable couple, both inside and out. You are so effortlessly in love and were such a joy to photograph! No matter what the future holds, I am confident that you will come out on top, because of your laid-back and confident personalities. Thank you for letting me capture your wedding day. I hope you love your portraits as much as I do!

xo,
Naomi

VENDOR TEAM:

planning: Cindy of Planned Perfection
venue + catering: Excelsior
photography: Urban Row Photography
videography: K and A Photo & Video
florist: Petals with Style
DJ: Howie of 3 West Productions
hair: Tousled Beauty Co.
makeup: Theresa Walker Makeup
draping: Shumaker PDT
alcohol: Red Rose Beverage

the butterfly room at sandtown furniture | industrial baltimore wedding venue

It’s no secret that Baltimore is a city that prides itself on its charm, history and industrial roots. When Sandtown Furniture Co. discovered this incredible brick warehouse in 2021, they had a vision for the space that is unmatched in its attention to design detail while also preserving its rich history dating back to 1885.

As mentioned on The Butterfly Room's website, “only Baltimore would have a wedding venue in a woodshop” …that right there is just one of the many reasons I love Baltimore!! I could list all the reasons why I think The Butterfly Room is an incredible wedding and event venue, but I thought a few (hundred) photos might do a better job than I ever could… ;)

Included below are some FAQs and quick facts about capacity, logistics and what makes The Butterfly Room at Sandtown Furniture Co. such a unique industrial Baltimore wedding venue; hope you find it to be a helpful resource!

Please let me know if you’re planning your wedding here — I’d love to be a part of it!

There are so many ways to celebrate here, the possibilities are truly endless with this 7,000 sf blank canvas to make your own…

Between the exposed, intricately textured brick walls, the larger-than-life floor to ceiling glass wall that divides the event space from the woodworking space for furniture design and production, to the arched windows letting in tons of natural light from above (at certain times of day it feels heavenly as the sun shines in…) and the 6 foot long hand-carved white oak door pull, you will be in awe as soon as you walk in, promise.

The inspiration for this shoot came from taking a raw industrial, historic warehouse and transforming it to have a warm, romantic, soft and modern elegant look...

The color palette incorporated warm orange-y + mustard yellow tones, honey, rust, amber and beige neutral tones with black accents for a modern, minimal wedding aesthetic. The matte black chairs paired perfectly with this custom Sandtown Furniture Co. walnut wood table and meadow-inspired floral ground arch installation for the ceremony.

Wanton Poppies BLEW ME AWAY with their talent and vision for all of the florals and greenery; a hanging install, a ground arch, 2 different tablescapes (fruit in one, greenery in the other!), a stunning bouquet + boutonniere… you name it, they CRUSHED IT!

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HUGE THANKS TO THIS ROCKSTAR VENDOR TEAM:

Venue: The Butterfly Room
Photography, Design + Planning: Urban Row Photography
Beauty: No Filter Glam
Florals, Candles + Candleholders, Cake Display: Wanton Poppies
Acrylic Table Number, Chargers, Lanterns, Ring Dish: The Otherside Rentals
Cake: Taste This Cake
Gown: Raw Golden Rentals
Tie: Dazi
Suit: Groom’s own
Shoes + Jewelry: Bride’s own
Menus + Place Cards: mlc designs
Custom wood table + bench, leather sling chair: Sandtown Furniture Co.
Models: Meghan + Justin Collazo (one of our 2021 #urpcouples!)

ABOUT THE BUTTERFLY ROOM AT SANDTOWN FURNITURE CO.:

What makes The Butterfly Room unique as an industrial wedding venue in Baltimore?
 
Have you ever been to a wedding in a woodshop? We make handcrafted wood furniture, and we think our event space has one of the coolest views – our woodshop. Additionally, the 30’ high ceilings, the texture + color of the original brick walls, and the 75 arched windows make this space a sight to behold. And with the glass wall, you see all that from every corner of the space.

This space is so full of character, texture and beautiful craftsmanship in the building details and the wood furniture they design. I don’t know of another wedding venue in Baltimore that has this sense of scale to it and is accessibly laid out all on one level.

INTERESTED IN HAVING YOUR WEDDING AT THE BUTTERFLY ROOM? HERE ARE SOME QUICK FACTS:

What was this space used for in its previous life?
This old building was built in 1885 by The Chesapeake Gas Company of Baltimore to be a gas processing plant. It has served Baltimore in many forms over the years; stoves were made here; canning & bottling was done here; but it had been vacant for many years by the time we found it.

Are there any design inspiration or elements that you're particularly proud of and/or excited to see in use?

The glass wall, for sure.  This is the only thing that separates the gallery/event space from the woodshop. That transparency was key for us. When guests are in the gallery, we want them to feel like they’re in the heart of a woodshop.  And we wanted our craftsman to be able do their work in a beautiful space where they love to be. The full-height, full-width glass wall creates that feel.

The arched windows & intricate brick-work are vestiges from another era, and we went to great lengths to preserve all of that. Generally, we’re really proud of how much of the original building remains exactly as it was when we found it. 

Those are some of the big moments, but honestly, we obsessed over every little detail just as much. The joinery details on the handmade bathroom vanities + mirrors…the solid concrete light fixtures in the bridal suites….the 6 foot long hand carved white oak door pull…we put so much thought & love into EVERY detail.

How many guests can be accommodated for a seated dinner and dancing? 
200 guests

Where do guests park? 
Valet parking is required & there is a valet partner who will handle it all.

How many events are hosted per day? 
Just yours!

Do couples have access to the entire facility on their wedding day? 
The venue has a unique set up; couples and guests have exclusive use of the event spaces and bathrooms on the day of their event. Spaces that are specific to furniture building are not available to guests or vendors.

How early do couples have access to the space on their wedding day?
3 hours prior to the start of the event. 

Are there spaces for the wedding party to get ready on site? 
Yes, we have 2 really beautiful separate spaces that are included with the rental.

Are outside caterers permitted? 
We have a carefully selected group of caterers on our exclusive list. Please contact us for more information. 

Is a representative from the venue going to be on-site for the duration of the event? 
Yes! A representative will be on-site to ensure the venue is operating as expected. We do require that weddings have a professional wedding planner to execute the vision of your day.

What does it cost to host a wedding at The Butterfly Room? 
As we launch the venue, we are offering a limited number of slots at a promotional rate. Please contact us for current rates and availability.

What is included with our rental of the space?
7,000 square feet in the main space, plus 2 suites (getting ready rooms), bathrooms and the catering area.

Is the venue accessible? 
Yes, nearly the entire venue is accessible. One of the getting ready rooms is up a small flight of stairs.

Is the venue climate controlled? 
All of the event space is fully climate controlled, and the main shop space has heat. 

CONTACT + DIRECTIONS:

Website: The Butterfly Room Baltimore
Address: 1226 Wicomico Street Baltimore, MD 21230
Email: events@sandtown.com

rachel + jordan | a classic, fun + luxe spring wedding at the belvedere in baltimore

The amount of joy and happy tears present at Rachel + Jordan’s wedding at the Belvedere on a late spring Sunday in March was truly immeasurable! Their love for each other, their families, friends and Baltimore, the city they call home — it was all such an incredible celebration full of energy, romance, a scented ceremony (!) and the most stunning chuppah I have ever seen!!

Enjoy these early favorites from Rachel + Jordan’s classic spring Belvedere wedding in Baltimore…

THE 9 MEMORABLE MOMENTS AND DETAILS FROM R+J’S BELVEDERE WEDDING THAT WILL MAKE YOU SMILE:

1. Rachel wore pearl earrings from one grandmother and a vintage diamond ring from her other grandmother. Jordan wore sloth astronaut cufflinks!! Read their engagement blog post for more on the meaning of the sloth astronaut! ;)
   

2. Their first look on the promenade was full of overwhelming emotion, bringing tears to Jordan’s eyes and the need to pause while taking it all in, especially how gorgeous Rachel looked!
   

3. Rachel designed the ceremony space and guest entry sequence to smell of their favorite Jo Malone scent. It was a first for me; I’m convinced it’s one of the best ways to personalize a wedding, since scent is a huge memory driver!!!
   

4. The chuppah was one of the most beautifully lush I’ve ever seen, constructed with gold frames by Victoria Clausen and flowered by Steelcut with shades of maroon, burgundy, magenta, toffee, light pink and peach in varieties of roses, peonies, orchids, anemones, hanging amaranthus and more. The sweetheart table was also overflowing with these flowers in an asymmetrical arrangement. There were also pomegranates in the table floral arrangements…!
   
   (continued below…)

5. The speeches made by both sets of parents and Congressman and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, brought tears to my eyes. So much respect and pride shared for these lovebirds; it was simply an honor to be in their presence.

6. The black and white checkered dance floor brightened up the space and added the perfect punch of contrast to draw your attention to the twirls and epic moves of their first dance.

7. R+J and all of their guests wore sneakers (some were so creatively decorated!) to honor Jordan’s late brother, a talented basketball player and coach.

8. Rachel made an entrance on the cream cruiser bike to announce dessert, in her second party dress full of sparkle, fringe and celebration!

9. We were able to take portraits in Mt. Vernon under the blooming magnolia trees near the Washington Monument and it felt like we were in Europe among all the cobblestones and beautiful architecture surrounding us!

We also made sure to explore the venue fully since there are so many iconic and unique backdrops for photos at the Belvedere — we took portraits in the Owl Bar, the romantic nook on the 12th floor, the window above the marquee and the 13th Floor during the after party.

MAZEL TOV, Rachel + Jordan!!! It was an absolute honor to document these memories for you! Your wedding was so much fun, photogenic, elegant and meaningful - like you two and your incredible relationship. I hope you continue laughing, dancing, eating, holding hands and travelling together for decades to come… you are such an inspiration to us all!

xo,
Naomi

VENDOR TEAM:
planning + design: Celebrations
venue + catering: Belvedere & Co Events
getting ready: Four Seasons Baltimore
photography: Urban Row Photography
videography: Lee Russell Films
beauty: No Filter Glam
flowers: Steelcut Flower Co
chuppah structure: Victoria Clausen’s Floral Rents
officiant: Rabbi Howard Tilman of Beth Israel Congregation
band: Broadsound Band
paper goods: Jenifer Sirkis Designs
signature scent: Jo Malone Wild Bluebell
wedding dress: Allure Bridals Style 9660
boutique: Betsy Robinson’s Bridal
shoes: Nike (with added bling by the bride herself!)
groom’s attire: Paul Stuart
rings: Star Jewelers on High
linens/china/rentals: Select Event Group
lighting and dance floor: Event Dynamics
ice cream: Cream Cruiser
transportation: Ride Thoroughbred
photobooth: Unfotogettable Events

caroline + josh | an intimate winter wedding at woodberry kitchen

Caroline + Josh chose to get married on an incredible wedding date — one that actually won’t happen again for 200 years! On a rainy and overcast Twosday (and it was actually a Tuesday!) February 22, 2022, these two sweethearts shared an intimate, memorable and cozy dinner wedding celebration with their closest family and friends at Woodberry Kitchen in the Clipper Mill neighborhood of Baltimore.

The rain stopped just in time for us to take portraits in and around the restaurant, one of my favorite spots in Baltimore full of all the best historic industrial vibes. Smiles never left their faces (and mine!); I hope you enjoy reliving their once-in-a-lifetime love story as much as I enjoyed being a part of it…

Woodberry Kitchen is such a unique and inviting space for intimate, micro weddings in Baltimore. Here are 5 reasons why this couple and their wedding stole my heart:

1. Caroline’s engagement ring was Josh’s grandmother’s and the bracelet she wore was her great-grandmother’s.

2. Caroline and Josh were beaming as they walked down the aisle together into their intimate ceremony. I love seeing how couples make traditions their own - Josh’s aunt even officiated and married them!

3. Guests were seated at 2 12’ long tables that allowed an intimate, family style feel to the dinner celebration with 3 course menus, checkered plaid napkins and tealights at each placesetting, to add to the cozy feel.

4. Caroline wore a fur wrap and Josh wore a paisley mustard yellow vest! Her bouquet included maroon calla lillies, dark red king protea, white and red roses and seeded eucalyptus.

5. The string lights and vaulted ceiling with full-length windows letting in as much natural light as possible and worn wood floorboards underfoot, added a romantic feel as appetizers were passed and guests mingled happily into the night.

6. Caroline and Josh share such a gentle, caring relationship full of sweet gestures and goofy laughs; while they now live in the heart of Fells Point, proposing at the Pagoda in Patterson Park is how it all started for these cuties!

Congratulations again, Caroline + Josh!! Your winter wedding at Woodberry Kitchen was such a joy and honor to be a part of; I hope you both continue to enjoy cozy, warm and delicious meals together with your favorite people for decades to come!

xo,
Naomi

venue: Woodberry Kitchen
flowers: Flowers Extraordinaire
dress: Allure, Romance 3457
boutique: Love It! At Stella’s
fur wrap: Sissily Designs
jewelry: Tigerlilly Couture