camille + alex | an intimate, memorable wedding at rawlings + bluebird cocktail room

Celebrating their unique love story in a serene and intimate way that was “easy but elegant, laid back but still polished”, Camille + Alex’s micro wedding at Rawlings Conservatory and the Bluebird Cocktail Room was exactly that and more…

In 2018, they found themselves volunteering side by side at the Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue Squad. Alex, dedicated to the fire and rescue side, and Camille, tirelessly serving on the EMS team, shared Sunday nights together. Yet, their paths rarely intersected until fate intervened.

Fast forward to 2020, when Alex’s life took an unexpected turn. He accidentally adopted Boris, a spirited German Shepherd who became a catalyst for change. One Monday morning, Alex invited Camille for a hike—a simple invitation that would alter the course of their lives forever.

Their morning hikes became a tradition and with each step, they discovered more about each other—their dreams, fears, and the quiet spaces where love takes root. The trails grew longer and as the seasons changed, so did their hearts.

Camille + Alex’s micro wedding was an ode to simplicity and authenticity. These were some of my favorite moments:

  1. Alex wore a three piece dark green suit from Spier and Mackay while Camille wore a modest v-neck dress with a simple waltz length veil.

  2. Alex’s family surprised him by flying his grandmother in all the way from Poland to witness their wedding ceremony. It was absolutely heartwarming to see the love and excitement they shared!

  3. Surrounded by their closest family and friends, Boris walked down the aisle, his eyes (and tail) smiling in approval.

  4. Camille and Alex exchanged vows against the glass walls of the historic Rawlings Conservatory with trailing greenery hanging above and an heirloom family ring box to hold their rings.

  5. The ceremony echoed with laughter, tears, and promises as they sang two short celebratory songs from Camille and Alex’s childhood: the Shehecheyanu, a traditional Jewish prayer and Sto Lat, a traditional Polish song, at the end of the ceremony. Both are sung to celebrate special occasions, express gratitude and bestow good wishes, good health and long life.

  6. Alex stomped on the glass as done in the Jewish tradition and all 16 guests shared in a champagne toast at the end of the ceremony.

  7. Camille’s aunt Betsy made a small wedding cake dripping in chocolate ganache and adorned with fall flowers.

As the sun began to set, the celebration moved to the Bluebird Cocktail Room in Hampden for drinks, cocktails, mingling and dinner. Drinks were flowing, laughter was echoing across the room and charcuterie was enjoyed before friends and family toasted Camille and Alex with stories, memories and words of wisdom.

Camille and Alex, the joy you radiate towards each other and also among your family and friends is so heartwarming and refreshing. You’ve shared so much together but the best is truly yet to come - I can’t wait to see all the adventures you embark on together (with Boris)! Being a part of your wedding day was incredibly meaningful, special and rewarding in more ways than one; thank you for making me feel like a part of your families!

L’Chaim and Moje Gratulacje!

xo,
Naomi

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

rachael + guido | a modern wedding at Anthem House, Blue Pit BBQ + Clipper Mill

It was a bright and beautiful sunny day when Rachael and Guido were finally married! You could absolutely feel the love and excitement in the air — and how long they’d been waiting for this day to come!!

One of the first things Rachael ever mentioned to me about their wedding was that Ode, their pup, was going to be with them the entire day. I was beyond giddy and Ode proved to be on his bestest behavior from the minute I walked in.

We took portraits at Under Armour’s promenade on the water and then traveled up to Clipper Mill to include weathered stone + metal industrial walls. I could have photographed these two (well, 3 with #urbanrowpup Ode!) all day long — they are just the perfect combination of sweet and silly souls who happen to be the most loving pup parents!

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6 ways this fun Baltimore couple made their wedding day their own…

  1. Including Ode every step of the way from getting ready together with the groom and groomsmen to including him as one of the wedding party’s VIPs (very important pup! ;))

  2. Embracing their love of delicious food and drink and having Blue Pit BBQ as their caterer and venue in the Woodberry neighborhood.

  3. Rachael did her own hair and makeup…! I loved her simple braid with tucked wildflowers.

  4. She and her bridesmaids carried single monstera leaves and greenery with one calla lily. Rachael’s bridal bouquet included a single king protea.

  5. They got ready in Locust Point’s Anthem House then took portraits at Under Armour’s promenade and Clipper Mill in Woodberry… so much variety in their photo backdrops!!

  6. Rachael walked down the aisle to the Circle of Life from the Lion King.

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Congratulations again, newlyweds!!! Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness and lots of love to Ode - it was such an honor to be a part of your big day, thank you for trusting me to capture all of these memories for you!

xo,
Naomi

planning: The Wedding Ninja
getting ready location: Anthem House
ceremony, reception venue + catering: Blue Pit BBQ
florals, hair, makeup: the bride, DIY
DJ: Dapper DJs

victoria + nial | a colorful mini wedding in downtown baltimore

Victoria and Nial have a love story that all started on a Baltimore bench (after initially meeting on Bumble!). These two share the sweetest love and admiration for each other while also appreciating the importance and love of family, connection and good food. I’m SO excited to share their micro wedding and courthouse elopement with you!! It’s full of tons of color, modern details and my favorite portrait locations in Baltimore!

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“On New Years Eve we were going to a comedy show and I told her we would walk to this taco spot before for dinner. She didn’t know this would happen and she invited a friend to join us. I told him the plan and asked him to try to get some photos. Then while passing our bench I asked her to take a picture with me on the bench and then proposed.

She was surprised. Speechless for a bit. And said YES! We went to eat tacos and the comedy show. I don’t think she could stop smiling. She cried only as it sunk in, as we were having tacos. She didn’t want the tears to ruin her makeup…”

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How incredibly gorgeous is Victoria’s bouquet?! So colorful while also being soft, elegant, romantic and not too bold… LOVE!!!

OBSESSED, actually.

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A beautiful day for a stroll and some portraits in Patterson Park near the pagoda, just down the street from where they call home… city life and love at its finest.

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After leaving Patterson Park, we stopped at this bench on the corner of Eastern + Wolfe St. in Upper Fells; this is the same bench where Victoria + Nial first met and later on, where he surprised Victoria and proposed! It was only fitting to have it flowered and full of lush color and a super romantic look for photos, by Steelcut Flower Co. Their #urbanrowpup Raffi even got in on the blooms with his own floral collar!

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Our last stop of the day was in Fells, for portraits on the water at Broadway Pier before the happy couple celebrated with cocktails and dinner at the Pendry. But first, what celebration would be complete without popping champagne?!

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Sending you all the love and congratulations as you continue getting used to calling each other husband and wife, Victoria and Nial! You planned such a flawless day with so many lovely ways to celebrate how your Baltimore love story came to be!

xo,
Naomi

…huge thanks to this talented team!

florals: Steelcut Flower Co.
dress: Calvin Klein
suit: Calvin Klein
videography: Adam Green
dinner reception: Sagamore Pendry
ceremony: Baltimore City courthouse

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!!

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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!!

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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

GROOMS: 3 things to know before your wedding

Let’s be honest… as a groom, you have a lot less on your to-do list than the bride. That doesn’t mean you can’t master the things you do need to know and show up ready to go, ahead of schedule and with time to relax!

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Here are 3 things we know you usually don’t think about on the daily, so you may want to practice and wrap your head around them in advance, with plenty of time before your actual wedding day:


1. How to tie your bow tie (watch THIS video and practice in advance!)... or buy a pre-tied one. We won’t tell. Pro Tip: PLEASE don't just start watching YouTube videos the minute we show up!

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2. Similarly, how to pin your boutonniere on. Ask your florist for tips on attaching it and/or make sure someone who will be with you while you’re getting ready (either another groomsmen or your mom) has done it before and feels comfortable with that responsibility! The last thing we’d want is to spend time waiting for 10 guys to figure this out and have to help each other get theirs on before we can start taking photos. Your mom is always welcome to pin yours on if she is dressed and can be in the pictures, but help for all the other groomsmen is what we see often lacking and very much needed.  

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3. When the photographer is ready to take your getting ready photos, you should be 90% of the way dressed! No one wants photos of you in a t-shirt and boxers on your wedding day. ;)

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If you are getting ready in a hotel room and we are starting photos there, all the groomsmen should be fully dressed. As the groom, you should have your shirt and pants on with your tie, shoes, socks (the more fun, the better: colorful stripes? fave sports team? ode to MD?), cuff links, watch and any other meaningful items, in one spot for us to capture right before you put them on. Getting ready photos actually means photographing you as you get your jacket and shoes on, putting the final touches on your tie / cuff links and buttoning your jacket.

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If you are meeting us at another location to have your portraits taken (for example, at the spot where you’ll have your first look or even outside the church or venue), then we’ll just capture portraits of you 100% ready to go - adjusting your tie / cuff links and buttoning your jacket make for beautiful and classic getting ready shots.

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What NOT to have nearby…

Piles of clothes / bags / food / beverages strewn about. A little tidying up in the room (or corner of the room) that gets the most natural light will go a long way and make your photos that much better!

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If you’re able to quickly do all of these things, just think of what it really means: you can pour another glass of bourbon, scotch or grab a can of Natty Boh and relax with the guys. ;)

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