I hope everyone's 4th of July this weekend went swimmingly, and was celebrated with the most-appropriate consumption of delicious food, and the pyromaniac excitement of fireworks. In the midst of all this family-and-friend oriented action, I've been ticking away at Colleen & David's beautiful seaside wedding at Kent Manor on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and have a few special highlights to share from the day.
First off, the coloring of the flowers bespoke how light and airy the overall day felt; and golf tee favors alluded to how fabulously this green the summer has been!
Colleen prepared while surrounded by her lovely bridesmaids and mothers. She's gorgeous, and I'm going to tease you with it.
David, eager and alert, waited with his groomsmen. A hint of nervousness later gave way to glee during the ceremony.
While we sequestered David inside, the bridesmaids laughed in-between portrait takes. The ceremony site--outdoors beneath a wide-open sky--was set with a lovely archway.
Stay tuned when David and Colleen tie the knot, dance the polka, the hora, and kiss as the sun sets...
This particular day, I was assisted by fabulous photographer Cicely Procopio, who coordinated with me heavily to ensure that neither David nor Colleen caught a glimpse of each other before the ceremony.
David was at ease with his groomsmen, relaxing while all the details were handled around him. Getting married seemed to suit him!
Colleen and her bridesmaids had the finishing touches put on their make-up, and then a big production was made out of putting on her dress. A few bridesmaids who were helping run errands for Colleen (so she wouldn't be seen) came back to the room and were overwhelmed with emotional delight!
Both parties signed the ketubah separately, witnessed by their rabbi and close family members. The parents read blessings on their children and their marriage; I held back a few tears, they were beautiful!
Colleen "was just so happy to have everyone there and to watch the various friends and family that I had meet and get to know one another." She "looked around a few times," during the ceremony, and was thrilled to see "nearly everyone that I loved." Of course the highlight for her was getting married to her best friend. "I was a but surprised at how emotional I got during the vows," she noted.
We snuck David & Colleen away on the grounds for some portraits by the nearby greenery. While the cocktail hour clinked away, the sun set behind them, and gave the two of them a beautiful backdrop in which to enjoy each other's company.
After first dances, some hilarious toasts, and dinner, the newlyweds cut the cake! (Kim Dweir, from With Sugar On Top was the baker. According to Colleen, she was "lovely to work with and did a wonderful job on the cake"!)
Cicely and I, of course, ran around with a small video camera to capture a few of the moments in motion; I've also added a few more of my favorites to the slideshow, which you can see below!
And as you can see, Morgan from Absolute Entertainmentdefinitely got the party hopping. Their friends and family danced the hora, the polka, tossed hats around, and generally made the most of the evening. From outside, you could feel the radius of energy, which was made even more romantic by the fireflies calling out to each other under the stars.
Two young sweethearts decided to get hitched on the rolling hills of Swan Harbor Farm in Havre de Grace, Maryland. Evan and Melodie eagerly watched from the historic farmhouse as guests trickled in under the old growth trees.
After a meaningful ceremony of communion, song, and scripture, we whisked the two away for some portraits.
But that was only the beginning... more to come next week!
These two lovebirds had a short-but-sweet session with me in the ever-lush and immense grounds at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland. After gazing at the map for quite awhile, we decided to wander, first, down by the Japanese teahouse...
And then among the formal gardens near the Conservatory, where Kurt and Lily were really able to loosen up and enjoy each other. It was hot, but the overcast day made the gardens thoroughly enjoyable... they almost dripped with a tropical energy.
Lastly, we walked among the roses, enjoying the sights and scents all around us.
What a lovely location and fun couple! You guys were a great pair and awfully fun to photograph!
As you can recall, Evan and Melodie chose to have their ceremony and reception at the lovely Swan Harbor Farm in Havre de Grace, Maryland.
Mindy Best assisted me for the day, and we began at Melodie's house, where here dress was waiting while everyone's hair and makeup got done.
She made for a beautiful bride, of course! One of the details she had warned me about in advance was that she had planned to surprise Evan with a camouflage garter. "I wasn't allowing anything camo-themed at the wedding otherwise," she said.
