laura + bryan | a colorful wedding at the loom meadow mill

Sooo, I’ve been excited to share this colorful and fun May wedding with you ever since it happened!!

Laura + Bryan are so similar and 100% my kind of people: driven, passionate, energetic, and hardworking. Laura’s detail-oriented, always on-top-of-it attitude made this an extremely fun wedding to photograph and visualize; whenever I got an email from Laura, it made me smile. I really appreciate hearing about and knowing many of the details in advance - I fully believe no detail is too small to consider and have a plan for (I blame the recovering architect in me, ha).

The vision for their spring wedding was “fun, simple, colorful + elegant” and wow, did they achieve that! Everything from the floral arrangements, to the candy bar seating display and the table settings could be described in those words.

Besides the fact that they are an incredible couple, I was also looking forward to their wedding because it was the first one ever held at The Loom at Meadow Mill. I had photographed this space when it first opened, but I couldn’t wait to see it all dressed up + full of love and COLOR!

This new Baltimore wedding venue is the little sister to area favorites, the Mt. Washington Mill Dye House and The Winslow at Parker Metal. If you’ve been following my work, you know how much I love to document weddings at industrial venues. To be asked to capture the first-ever wedding at The Loom was a dream come true… the fact that Laura + Bryan quickly became one of my favorite couples was just the cherry on top!

12 Memorable Moments and details from Laura + Bryan’s Wedding at the loom (+ hotel revival):

1. Before heading to the venue, Laura + Bryan both got ready at one of my favorite boutique Baltimore hotels, the Revival. Because the end of May brings Preakness weekend to Charm City and graduations galore, we wanted a quiet, indoor space for their first look. That meant that any of the more public areas of the hotel, like the lobby and lounges, were out of the question — the beloved and super photogenic Miss Mary Suite was the answer to our prayers.

2. To help keep the family and friend group portraits relaxed and fun, Laura also booked the Library at the Hotel Indigo a few blocks away. One thing I really love about living and working in Baltimore is all of the unique spaces available throughout the city, giving our #urpcouples countless opportunities to get perfect beautiful and genuine portraits, no matter what size!

3. Speaking of group portraits, Laura + Bryan didn’t have a wedding party in the traditional sense; instead they had an honorary wedding party of their closest friends and siblings to help them get ready throughout the morning.

4. With a large fluffy tulle bottom and a lace v-neck top, Laura’s gown looked like it was made for her. Brushed Beauty tied her look together by keeping her hair down with soft waves and makeup that made her gorgeous blue eyes pop. She was effortlessly joyful and beautiful the entire day!

5. The Loom is such a perfect Baltimore venue for intimate weddings with < 100 guests. It has an industrial feel but the light and airy white walls and large windows allowing natural light to flood in, make it feel super clean, natural, and bright. Any color palette would look incredible in this space!

6. The florals at this wedding were out of this world… they also had a really cool story behind them: Molly Zager of Molly Zager Floral Design Co. in San Diego, CA is Laura’s cousin. As her gift to the couple, Molly offered to take care of all the flowers: Laura’s vibrant bouquet, the chuppah, the installation on the 360° bar and all the table centerpieces had peonies, ranunculus, roses and magenta anemones. How she managed to pull this off from across the country, I will never know! It was pure perfection in every sense of the word. She did an incredible job outfitting the space and vibe of the wedding.

7. The ceremony included many Jewish elements to honor Laura’s family’s Jewish heritage, culture and traditions: kippot were available to wear, Laura and Bryan’s parents walked them both down the aisle, they drank wine out of a kiddush cup and Bryan stepped on a glass as everyone yelled “Mazel Tov!” and they kissed.

8. One of the most unique things about The Loom is the hidden bar in the foyer. Laura used this space as a candy bar and gave everyone a little box with their name and table number to hold their candy choices throughout the evening.

9. There is also a really great secret staircase at The Loom that is part of the original mill building. During cocktail hour, we snuck out to grab some gorgeous portraits of the happy couple.

10. Copper Kitchen and Heather of 1423 Events did a fabulous job (as usual!) with the food and aesthetic of all the colorful and fun reception decor; I’m pretty sure that the table and bar settings, complete with cocktail napkins that had MarlowBea’s #urbanrowpup face on them, were one of the highlights of the reception!

11. The night was topped off with a gorgeous 2-tiered cake that was adorned with fresh flowers and a DELICIOUS cookie chipwich sundae bar for guests to enjoy.

12. My favorite memory of their wedding came during the Hora… not only did Laura + Bryan get up on the chairs, but Laura’s spry 90-year-old grandma did, too! She had the best time and it was so sweet to witness the love this family shares together.

Laura + Bryan, from the moment we met, I knew your wedding was going to be one for the books. You are truly a perfect match and I cannot wait to see what you accomplish together as a married couple. You made my job a breeze with your detail-oriented and decisive attitude - I love a couple that knows what they want and how to get it!

It was so much fun to work together and I didn’t want our time together to end... thank you for letting me be the one to capture the first day of the rest of your lives together!!

xo,
Naomi

COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THIS INCREDIBLE VENDOR TEAM:

planning + coordination: 1423 events
venue: the loom at meadow mill
photography: urban row photography
florist: molly zager florals
catering: copper kitchen
DJ: district remix
handlettered signage: lynn cipollone
draping: event dynamics
boutique: betsy robinson's bridal
rings: radcliffe
groom’s custom suit and tie: christopher schafer
cuff links: david yurman
hair and makeup: brushed beauty
cake: blue crab cupcakes
invitations: ellen zager, bride’s mom

ilana + ben | elegant garden wedding at Tusculum Farm

As soon as I arrived at Tusculum Farm for Ilana + Ben’s intimate wedding, I knew it was going to be a beautiful day. The gardens were lush and in bloom, the sky was full of fluffy clouds and Ben’s dad happened to meet me as I parked my car.

Shortly before my first conversation with Ilana and Ben, I had recently photographed a wedding here. I mentioned it to them since they were still looking for a venue to get married that would allow their closest family and friends to stay and relax in a serene setting for a few days. Ben’s dad mentioned to me how grateful they were to have found this incredible wedding venue / family retreat after I suggested it… I’m just so glad it resonated with them!

The idea of a wedding as a relaxing retreat with your favorite people is the best thing ever — isn’t it?! While at Tusculum Farm, it truly feels like an escape from the rest of the world. I’m so excited to share Ilana and Ben’s wedding with you that was full of SO many memorable and magical moments unique to them, their values and beliefs.

These two beautiful souls share immense joy in just being present and it’s so easy to see how they are better together. Ben’s calmness is a perfect compliment to Ilana’s joie-de-vivre; at their engagement session, Ilana surprised Ben with a chess board because he loves games, strategy and puzzles. They share such a deep love of food, family and togetherness; I hope you enjoy these moments from their elegant farm wedding!

8 DETAILS FROM ILANA + BEN’S TUSCULUM FARM WEDDING THAT WILL MAKE YOU SMILE:

1. Ilana got ready in the Fox Den suite of the modern farmhouse while Ben got ready and enjoyed time with his family during the Tisch in the Hay Barn. Both settings were incredibly relaxed, spacious and comfortable.

2. They wed under a chuppah that Ilana hand-painted, her veil was made from French lace that had been worn by 4 generations before her and Ben’s kittel was also passed down to him.

3. A whimsical garden feel was woven throughout their details; Ilana’s gown was modern, elegant and full of lace florals while her heirloom lace veil had the most intricate detail - I couldn’t stop staring at it!
   
   Ben and his brother / best man, both wore floral shirts from Paisley & Gray.
   
   Ilana’s wildflower bouquet, chuppah florals and bud vases at the reception from Lucky Penny Floral were the perfect variety of scale, color and texture.

4. While seeing each other for their first look, they chose to read notes to each other. Ilana mentioned that hers wasn’t fully complete yet; the full version was on the computer, she just didn’t get to finish writing it all out… made for such a fun, honest, laugh between them!

5. The ketubah signing was followed by the bedeken and prayers for both Ilana and Ben by each of their parents. Since the veil was so long, Ilana got tangled up in it and it made for such a fun sequence of photos (see below)!

6. With such an intimate group, they invited most of their guests to come up individually and say a blessing during their ceremony.

7. Guests waved fabric streamers at the end of their ceremony to celebrate as they recessed down the aisle; colorful ribbon was also strung from the barn and the back of their chairs, to add a festive touch to the outdoor reception!

8. Cocktail hour was held by the pool, dinner was held under the stars overlooking the fields and dancing began as the full moon rose. There are SO many places to take photos (I guess I shouldn’t be surprised since they own 500 acres!), I could have easily spent all day taking their portraits… at the pond, near the greenhouse garden, the courtyard and gardens behind the house, the pool, the large lawn with the enormous trees, the Hay Barn, the rolling hills and fields…

I’m not sure if you can tell how much I loved this 3 level staircase…

Congratulations, lovebirds! I was so honored to document your intimate wedding at Tusculum Farm and witness all of the love, pride and joy your family and friends have for you. I wish you both nothing but a future full of simchas!

xo,
Naomi

VENDOR TEAM

venue: Tusculum Farm
planning: Vanessa of Little Black Book
photography: Urban Row Photography
videography: Isabel Studios
catering: Get Plated
florist: Lucky Penny Floral
officiant: Rabbi Daniel Burg
hair and makeup: Carla Pressley
band: The High and Wides
invitation: Greenvelope
ketubah: The Delicate Brush
gown: Made with Love - Stevie
shoes: Bryr Studio
groom’s attire: Paisley & Gray, Baltimore Custom Clothiers
cake: Taste This Cake

alli + jay | a modern + intimate wedding at Silo Point's Sky Lounge

When asked their favorite thing about each other, they both responded the exact same way. The notes they wrote to each other (scroll down to see their hilarious cards) both also mentioned the cat. That’s how you know it’s true love. ;)

“My favorite thing about Alli is how much she loves our cat Midnight! My favorite thing about Jay is how much he loves our cat Midnight as well!”

THE 4 WAYS ALLI + JAY’S INTIMATE MICRO WEDDING WAS UNIQUE AND UNFORGETTABLE:

1. They love their cat Midnight so much that he had to be a part of their first look.

2. Alli also had a first look with her dad and because it was Father’s Day, gave him a card as well, that had them both emotional as he read it.

3. They incorporated the tallis from Jay's grandfather, and the tallis from both of their bar and bat mitzvahs.

4. They rented the Sky Lounge at Silo Point which gave them access to panoramic views of the Baltimore skyline, harbor waterfront and a gorgeous fluffy cloud sky that was the perfect backdrop for the 35 guests and intimate ceremony.

5. Brunch was catered by Classic Catering and included french toast and pancake passed appetizers, omelettes, hash browns, bagels and lox and monkey bread... SO. GOOD!

Congratulations, Alli + Jay (+ Midnight)!! I was incredibly honored to be there to celebrate alongside you and both of your families and close friends… the day was perfect in so many ways, from the way you casually started together in your condo to the ceremony on the rooftop overlooking Baltimore on a beautiful, breezy and warm June day, ending with a delicious brunch feast. You guys did it right!

I can’t wait to do it all again next June at the big party with a different yet equally beautiful waterfront view.

xo,
Naomi

planning: Celebrations, LLC
venue: Silo Point
catering: Classic Catering
flowers: bride’s sister-in-law
dress: BHLDN / Anthropologie
hair: Megan Glover of Victoria Brett Creative
makeup: Elina Baron of Emmey Makeup Artistry
dessert: Fresh Bakery

emily + rehan | a june wedding full of joy, romance + tradition

Emily and Rehan are one of those couples that clearly radiate joy into the world simply by being together. They are incredibly thoughtful, hard-working, compassionate, kind, intelligent, curious, sweet and so full of life… Rehan said it best: “Together we complement each other and cover each others' blind spots. I love having her back and feel invincible knowing she's got mine.”

With Rehan getting his master’s in St. Louis and Emily attending medical school in Maryland during their engagement, we made the most of our time together for their engagement photos in Baltimore back in March, the first time we met in person and I learned how adorable they were going to be to photograph… I still can’t get enough of their relationship and already miss being around them!

Enjoy these moments from their beautiful June wedding day at the Grand Lodge in Maryland!

Emily wore a romantic floral lace v-neck dress with lush pastel flowers in her bouquet, watercolor florals on their invitation suite and mixed styles of sage green bridesmaids dresses - all of her details came together so beautifully but my favorite part of the day was when Rehan saw her for the first time! His expression said it all: SO MUCH JOY AND LOVE!

They celebrated both Sri Lankan and Jewish traditions during their wedding ceremony!

1. Rehan received a blessing from his mother just before walking down the aisle.

2. Emily + Rehan stood on a raised platform (a Sinhalese tradition) and under a chuppah (a Jewish tradition) with Rabbi Andy Gordon marrying them.

3. Emily circled Rehan seven times as the ceremony began…

4. Rehan broke a glass at the end of the ceremony while a coconut was also broken in two with a huge knife!

5. Together they lit an oil lamp to signify the joining of their two families together.

I have to say, not only was the ballroom decor stunning with the draping, lush chuppah and tables full of gorgeous pastel floral arrangements, but the dance floor was PACKED from the start as Emily and Rehan were introduced as husband and wife then danced an epic hora. It’s so fun to see full and energetic dance floors again and these guests did not disappoint!

Congratulations again, newlyweds! You have been such an absolute joy to work with and I hope you enjoy your new life together, finally living in the same state! ;)

xo,
Naomi

VENDOR TEAM

venue: Grand Masonic Lodge
planner: Plan It Perfect
photographer: Urban Row Photography
videographer: Fordham Films
florist: Wicked Willow
officiant: Rabbi Andy Gordon
caterer: Hoffman & Co
linens + rentals: Select Event Group
hair + makeup: Heather Rea Style Studio
DJ: Classic Collective
strings: Canterbury Strings
lighting/draping: Event Dynamics
invitation: MLC Designs
dress designer: Blue by Enzoani (Marie)
boutique: Francesca’s Bridal
bridesmaid dresses: Azazie
groom’s attire: Tuxedo House
cake: Strauss Bakery