I just knew, the moment Stephanie emailed me, that I had landed the jack pot with this couple. This suspicion was confirmed when I met them for their engagement session at Meridian Hill Park (and met their adorable Cotton!) – they were classy, romantic, and yet still so genuine, joyful, and fun! Their wedding being held at the Baltimore Zoo was really just the icing on the cake for me! I’d been looking forward to shooting this wedding for months, and was filled with excitement all morning long, waiting until I could show up at their hotel! I came early, camera in hand, and let my creativity free!

In addition to a stellar couple and awesome venue, I also was able to work with some incredible vendors – including Elizabeth from East Made Event Company. I’ve talked about my love for event planners before, but I truly can’t say it enough — please hire an event planner for your wedding!! She made sure everything went so smoothly, and since I wasn’t worried about a timeline, I was free to take the best photos I could. I have to say I am just so proud of this wedding and everything I was able to capture as it all unfolded in front of me! As if I needed one more reason to call this wedding a special one, it was also my last time shooting with Sarah, from Freckle Blossom Photography. She has been my faithful sidekick, amazing second shooter, and wonderful friend for the past year of weddings and I’m still in deniable that I need to start looking for a different second shooter!! I was truly blown away with her images during this wedding, and it’s clearly a good sign when it’s hard for me to tell the difference between the photos I took and the photos she took!

From a bride and groom who are clearly close to their families, to a tearful first look; from bride and groom portraits in a completely empty zoo and carousel, to emotional first dances, and an epic ending with my first ever sparkler exit — Stephanie and Joseph’s day unfolded in such a smooth, seamless way that I truly felt like I could enjoy their day in a way I usually don’t get to at weddings. I am so happy for this wonderful couple, happy that I was able to be a part of their wedding day, and happy to continue to be in their lives now as they start their journey as a family!! A huge thank you to all the vendors who made this day possible:

Bride’s dress: L’Fay Bridal

Hair: Jamie Halcott of Baltimore Bridal Hair, LLC

Make-Up: Natasha Fortune of Happily Ever After Pro Beauty Team

Bridesmaids dresses: David’s Bridal

Tux: Men’s Warehouse

DJ: DJ Paul

Florist: Radebaugh Florist

Venue:  The Mansion House at the Baltimore Zoo

Wedding Planner: Elizabeth Gopal of East Made Event Company

Cake: Joe’s mother, Linda Wallmark

Second Shooter: Sarah from Freckle Blossom