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…

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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

afryea + shaquille | a spring elopement in downtown baltimore and druid hill park

Afryea and Shaquille are the definition of soulmates that compliment each other in every way!

Their intimate Baltimore elopement took place on one of the coldest days we’ve had this spring so far (it was 36 degrees and flurried earlier that morning!), but you’d never know while looking at the photos… they exude joy, happiness and respect for each other, while being the perfect amount of quiet and thoughtfully contemplative (Shaquille) combined with energetic excitement and bubbly radiance (Afryea).

The sun was shining bright and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to document a love story like theirs! The world needs more of their kind of love.

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Afryea and Shaquille got ready and had an intimate, heartfelt ceremony at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront downtown with their families witnessing the love, excitement and memorable vows they shared.

I was OBSESSED with both the minimal yet gorgeous pearl jewelry Afryea incorporated into her bridal look, complimenting the low back, soft lace dress she wore as well as Shaquille’s powder blue suit and floral tie.

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Shaquille’s close friend Jim officiated and there was no shortage of laughs, happy tears, warm blessings by each family member and excitement for their future together. All of their words brought me to tears behind the camera!

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Their expressions in the photo above (one of my favorites!) was brought to you by the best comment by Afryea’s dad: “you all could be a toothpaste commercial!” He’s not wrong!!

After the ceremony we took portraits in Druid Hill Park which had so many beautiful spring buds and blossoms opening up and matching blue skies to Shaq’s suit… it was almost like they planned it that way! ;)

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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!

Thank you for trusting me to document your wedding day - it was an absolute honor!!

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.

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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.

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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!!

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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)!

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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).

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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.

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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.