It was an amazing day for Brian and Katie to get married. They arrived, relaxed and ready, at Strong Mansion (one of my favorite places to photograph!) in Dickerson, Maryland, for what would prove to be an eventful evening.

Later on, I asked Katie about what made the day special for her, and the first thing she mentioned was that her friend Melanie ("an amazing friend I've had since high school" and "newly-minted social worker") was the officiant as well as her bridesmaid. I caught Melanie rehearsing a "personal, beautifully written ceremony" in the upper rooms of the mansion. It made quite the impression, too! "I had lots of guests asking me if she was a professional celebrant," said Katie.

Katie's preparation was simple and elegant; her long brown hair swept up and decorated with flowers, and heirloom family jewelry to add a special touch and presence to the day. Check out those gold shoes!

Brian arrived later on, and my wonderful second photographer Leah Stern took charge of photographing the groomsmen down in the gardens. Katie and Brian didn't want to see each other before the wedding, so we played a little cat-and-mouse in the mansion house as a result. No surprises were lost, though!

Guests filtered in and the ceremony began. A Shakespeare poem was read, a kiss of peace exchanged, and Brian borrowed from Jewish tradition and smashed a glass at the end of the ceremony.

Afterwards, Leah and I snuck away with the family and the bridal party to catch shots of the girls all together, in addition to a few private moments for Brian and Katie.

The best of the action was yet to come, though. "Our crazy cousins and relatives were the life of the party," said Katie. "Brian's aunt Mimi gave a scarf dance to one of the groomsman," she remembered, "and Brian's father's cousin Trevor, who came from Northern Ireland to attend our wedding and gave a rollicking toast in Irish brogue that ended in an Irish blessing."

More than one sweet moment was in store, too. Taylor, Katie's maid of honor, gave a beautiful toast. "[It] had me sobbing," Katie said, "and the one by Brian's dad ended in a song from the Baillie men to me."

Needless to say, it was such fun to be a part of such a beautiful, uproarious, and joyous day. Congratulations to Brian and Katie!