I wish you both a lifetime of happiness and never-ending joy together as you continue to grow as a couple and start your life as newlyweds in New Orleans; you already have an incredible foundation with all the love from your families and your roots in Baltimore and NY!
nakeia + chris | a micro wedding with an old world feel in dickeyville, baltimore
/Nakeia + Chris are still planning a larger party in the future but for now, they embraced the idea of a small and memorable intimate wedding at a historic home with their closest family and friends and it was absolutely PERFECT! The Dickeyville neighborhood where they celebrated, felt like it was MADE for them: it was relaxed, quiet, beautiful, full of charm and tons of character!
These lovebirds designed and planned their wedding to take place in one of the larger homes in the neighborhood on one of the 2 main historic streets; the upstairs bedroom served as Nakeia’s getting ready space, while the large gathering space on the first floor held the ceremony and was later transformed into a dinner reception.
We took advantage of the backyard full of greenery for family portraits and then explored the neighborhood together for their adorable just married, golden hour portraits (my favorite time of day)!
SIX UNIQUE AND MEANINGFUL DETAILS NAKEIA + CHRIS INCORPORATED INTO THEIR CANDID AND INTIMATE WEDDING:
Nakeia’s off the shoulder crepe dress had buttons running the entire way down her back as well as on her sleeves. So classic and modern all at once.
The baby’s breath in her updo added a romantic, whimsical and soft, textured look - the perfect way to tie in garden elements!
Nakeia’s Uncle Terry walked her down the aisle and was beaming the entire way; it was absolutely heartwarming.
They jumped the broom to symbolize starting their lives together!
The wedding party wore burgundy colors with orange ribbons tying the hydrangea bouquets together to represent Virginia Tech, the groom’s alma mater… Go Hokies!
Nakeia and Chris loved the Dickeyville aesthetic, so they prioritized portraits during golden hour… (more on what unfolded, below)!
Nakeia met her Uncle Terry at the bottom of the stairs and this moment of him beaming at her, makes me so happy. So much pride and joy!
We walked along the tree-lined streets, stopped in front of stone knee walls from the 1800s and ivy covered garden residences marveling at how quaint and cozy this hidden gem felt - it was like we were in a tiny European village (definitely reminded me of Cinque Terre in Italy!) as neighbors shouted down from open windows and came out of their homes to share in the excitement of their newlywed status!
Congratulations, Mr. + Mrs. Gardner! Your easygoing, relaxed and fun personalities were a joy to document - I can’t wait to see how you continue to celebrate your love next year and make memories together for decades to come!!!
xo,
Naomi
emily + tim | an Italian-inspired garden soiree wedding under the stars
/From the moment Emily’s mom reached out a week before their intimate wedding to see if I was available, I felt like a part of the family.
Since their original plans of a destination wedding in Italy had to change, this front porch wedding at the bride’s aunt and uncle’s home in Roland Park was not only planned in a few short weeks, but was an incredibly intimate and heartfelt ceremony that celebrated what really means the most: being able to gather together with immediate family (the bride has 4 brothers!) and enjoy a relaxing meal under the stars, on a warm summer night.
Emily got dressed and ready in her mom’s home; as soon as I walked in to see this grand staircase in the foyer, I knew portraits needed to happen here. I honestly have no words… Emily, you were such a stunning bride in that modern yet timeless low-back dress.
One of the benefits of having such a small and intimate ceremony at home is the ability to take portraits with your dog before leaving for the ceremony! Emily’s dog was the perfect pup - so excited to be with her and so sweet and photogenic!!
Are they not the most beautiful couple with the most classically elegant style!? Loved having the wraparound porch behind them for photos where the ceremony took place among lush white and green florals and white lanterns leading up the steps. Their ringbearer nephews definitely stole the show (and my heart)!
All of the guests were seated at one long table in the garden with gold votives and candleholders, white candles in glass hurricanes, greenery garland, cream-colored roses, eucalyptus, white peonies, magnolia leaves and more white blooms making up the lush floral centerpieces. Menus at each placesetting were tied with a white bow and tucked with a sprig of rosemary; as a nod to the bride’s Italian heritage, each menu course was listed in Italian (aperitivo, primi, secondo, dolce).
This adorable wedding cake was made by Bramble Baking Co. and decorated with herbs, fresh edible flowers and white ranunculus and baby’s breath along the base.
Congratulations again Emily and Tim!! I was so honored to document your intimate wedding and be a part of your family’s celebration! The details were exquisite, the heartfelt speeches brought tears to my eyes and the love shared was palpable.
Wishing you perfect weather and festive family-filled Italian meals together for decades to come! Salute!!
xo,
Naomi
beauty: No Filter Glam
gown: Agnes by Peter Langner
custom veil + dress boutique: Gamberdella Boutique
cake: Bramble Baking Co.
guienen + ed | a romantic summer mini wedding on the bay
/Guienen and Ed were married at Herrington on the Bay during one of the hottest days of the year, but you’d never know it! They were such an incredibly patient couple with all of my ideas for portraits at this beautiful garden venue on the Chesapeake Bay… July weddings aren’t for the faint at heart when it comes to the humidity and heat!
I loved this spot for their first look - Ed was such a calm and cool groom waiting for his beautiful bride!!
Sadie, was the best flower pup in all the land! She set the bar high for all future #urbanrowpup wedding party members; we couldn’t have done it without the help of the Furever & Fur Always dog care team!!
Guienen’s bridesmaids wore stunning summer sage green Jenny Yoo Inesse dresses in a watercolor floral print paired with bouquets of a single flower variety: ranunculus, lisianthus and roses to complete the modern, elegant and romantic bayside look.
The beaded detail on Guienen’s Enaura gown was absolutely stunning while shimmering and sparkling in the sun; the pattern added a soft, subtle, whimsical touch to her bridal look!
I loved Guienen’s color palette and vision for the intimate dinner tablescape; farmhouse tables paired with white chiavari chairs, white vases, white flowers and white hand-lettered (all by the bride!) hosta leaf escort cards, brought the modern bayside look together in an understated and elegant way! The focaccia provided just the right pop of mustard yellow to coordinate and compliment the vases.
Cheers, newlyweds!! Can’t wait to celebrate together even bigger next July!
xo,
Naomi
gown: Enaura Bridal Style #Beau from Garnish Boutique
bridesmaid dresses: Jenny Yoo Inesse dress in Morning Mist Multi from BHLDN
flowers: Love & Luster Floral
groom and groomsmen attire: Tuxedo House
hair and makeup: Up Dos for I Dos
wedding day dog care: Furever & Fur Always
Sadie’s flower collar + ceremony scrapbook: bride’s mom, Colleen Barrett
venue + caterer: Herrington on the Bay
personalized family name sign: mrc wood products
erin + nick | a floral-filled and heartfelt backyard wedding in maryland
/There were so many incredible moments and details to love about Erin + Nick’s micro wedding, but my favorite may be how far they’ve come together, from their first meeting in sixth grade! 13 years later to the day they officially told each other how they felt, they were married in the backyard where Nick grew up and his parents still live.
6 UNFORGETTABLE ELEMENTS OF THIS
BACKYARD WEDDING:
June 13, 2007 was their first date. June 13, 2020 was the day they got married. 13 is Nick’s lucky number… and probably Erin’s a bit now too ;).
Erin’s floral print wedding dress from Lulu’s (it’s this one!)
The hanging white flowers atop the gazebo made for such a stunning ceremony backdrop - love the simplicity of all white florals.
They asked each guest to write them a message and include a photo so that they could all “be there in spirit with us” (scroll down to see the seated porch photo!) and their family assembled and arranged everyone of them into a book.
Nick’s best friend Ethan officiated the ceremony… they’ve known each other since 2 years old, when they moved to the same street.
Erin + Nick recited their own vows and then each of their parents read at the ceremony. Nick’s brother made a toast. With smaller weddings, meaningful and personalized details like that are possible! No rules anymore!