kylie + nate | a classic mt vernon wedding at the belvedere in may

Classic and chic like their wedding, Kylie + Nate are so happy and in love!! They were a joy to photograph during their engagement session and their wedding was no different! Just one look and they make the other burst into happy laughter. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever attended a wedding that had more loving glances and laughter than this one! 

Having met at Johns Hopkins University and spent the past few years renovating their home in Mt. Washington, every chapter of this couple’s love story has been touched by the city of Baltimore. It only made sense that their wedding portraits featured their tight-knit group of friends and family, gorgeous city brownstones, the Washington Monument, and one of the most popular festivals in Mount Vernon: Flower Mart.

Kylie + Nate tied the knot at The Belvedere in early May. We were blessed with a gorgeous, sunny day with a high of 65 degrees and absolutely no threat of rain. We took some of my favorite portraits in and around Mt. Vernon, capturing their love for each other, their families and friends, and the urban feel to where they fell in love.

11 Memorable Moments and Details from Kylie + Nate’s Belvedere Wedding in Mt. Vernon:

  1. Kylie got ready at one of my favorite hotels: the Revival. This boutique hotel is just so unique, full of personality, a super comfy place to relax AND right across the street from Mt. Vernon square, making a first look and portraits with the park as your backdrop, super easy!

  2. Nate got ready at their home in Mount Washington, which was really special considering how much time they’ve spent renovating it and making it their own. I loved that they included their private home in their wedding portraits AND at-home engagement photos!

  3. Kylie got ready in the Miss Mary Suite with her bridesmaids and family. Her dress transformed multiple times, giving her a few different looks throughout the day and her Mavette shoes in shades of pink and burgundy matched her bouquet perfectly! Paired with all of the heirloom jewelry she wore and the special wedding band that Nate gave her, she looked like the quintessential Baltimore bride, straight out of the gilded age (just like their venue!).

  4. After Kylie’s mom helped her put on her dress, she did a bridesmaids reveal in the spacious suite, where her friends saw her for the first time. She also did a groomsmen reveal, where all of her groomsmen and both her and Nate’s dads saw her for the first time. It was a really fun way to include the entire bridal party in a first look!

5. Speaking of first looks, Kylie + Nate had their first look in the east quadrant of the square, with the Washington Monument behind them. Their faces lit up at the sight of each other! Finding a quiet spot in the park was a bit of a challenge with Flower Mart going on at the same time, but thanks to the help of LynnAaron of Nouvelle Weddings scouting it out in advance with me, we were able to find a perfect private and shaded spot away from crowds and vendors.

6. We also took full advantage of Flower Mart for cute candids of Kylie + Nate walking around and enjoying those iconic Baltimore lemon peppermint sticks in front of the monument and some wine! It was the best way to capture their love of Charm City during one of the most beloved and historic spring festivals.

7. When it was time to head to the Belvedere for the ceremony and reception, we made sure to carve out time to take wedding party and couple’s portraits under the marquee sign. It’s a must, if you’re having your wedding at the Belvedere, if you ask me!

8. Walking down the aisle in the Grand Ballroom created such a dramatic and memorable processional with their parents by their side; both Nate and Kylie as well as their friends and family were full of happy tears!

9. As guests walked into cocktail hour, they were handed glasses of champagne with a floating edible monogram, a K & N. I’ve never seen something like that! It was such an unexpected, delightful touch to their classic and elegant wedding!

10. We also made some time during cocktail hour to sneak out for urban golden hour portraits along the street with the Washington Monument in the distance as they crossed the street. But first, photos in the Owl Bar and gold-trimmed elevators: textured, gilded and full of sneaky smooches! It was so fun with Kylie & Nate being so relaxed, enjoying the start of married life in a carefree and effortless way! We had to also get a night shot out of the second floor window, of course!

11. Since the ceremony and reception were both held in the Grand Ballroom at the Belvedere, all of the ceremony flowers and greenery were repurposed to frame the stage where the band, Spectrum from Washington Talent, performed and kept the dance floor rocking all night. The white drape and twinkle lights behind the band created a soft and romantic atmosphere… I loved this idea as a way to make the band backdrop purposeful, well-designed and integrated into the overall vibe of their day!

Kylie + Nate, you two are going to take on the world together and I can’t wait to see all of the incredible things you accomplish! Thank you for letting me be the one to document the beginning of your married lives together. It was truly the biggest honor!!

xo,
Naomi

Huge thanks to this incredible vendor team:

planning + design: LynnAaron of Nouvelle Weddings
photography: Urban Row Photography
venue: Belvedere & Co. Events
florals: Stacy Bowen Floral Design
getting ready: Revival Baltimore
beauty: Behind the Veil Beauty
cake: Cake by Jason
band: Washington Talent’s Spectrum Band
dress: Enzoani
shoes: Mavette
boutique: Betsy Robinson’s Bridal
groom’s + groomsmen attire: The Black Tux
officiant: Ceremony Officiants
invitation + paper goods: mlc designs
welcome bags: The Tradition Begins
calligraphy: Lynn Cipollone
lighting / drape for band backdrop: Event Dynamics
rentals: Select Event Group

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