Venue - Michael's Eighth Avenue
DJ/Band - Mick Entertainment
Clergy/Officiant - Shelly Powell
Bakery - Lauer's Supermarket & Bakery
Florist - Connie Clark
Dressmaker - Allure Bridals
Cosmetician - SHINE
So many people tell me weddings are so crazy. I respond with "not the ones I photograph." One thing I have noticed over the years of shooting is organization/communication is key.
One major craziness adding factor is when no one knows the schedule, portrait list or key details except for the bride. You can be a bride with everything super organized but if your the only one that knows the information than things can and will get crazy. No one really wants to be the person who messes up a wedding so many times your key people will constantly ask you for times, details or key information about the day. Below are a few key things I have my clients do to make their day super stress free!
Family portrait lists (formal portraits)- just the word family can start to stress people out. This is one place we strive to ROCK! We have our bride/grooms create their lists not with generic names like grandpa, mom and dad. Lets face it you may know those people but we don't. We have clients create lists with actual names which sounds so simple and it is but many people don't understand why that is so important. Having a real name allows us to use the list and just read from it. That means you don't have to think about it! Anytime we can get you to not think on your wedding day, that is one less thing for you not stress about. Also creating this list early gives you time to pass it along to mom and dad. They can "approve" it so you don't have to hear the phrase "You forgot the picture of you and Uncle Steve" Having your parents look over it days before puts some onus on them as well. CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE A KILLER FAMILY PORTRAIT LIST!
Tell us how you first met? Who what when where why? Give us the dirty details.
How Joe and I first met is quite the cliché because it was at a wedding, but I was actually there as a guest with one of his friends. He maybe uttered three words to me all day, but that didn’t stop me from proceeding to steal his number from his friend’s phone the next day. Something of which is totally out of character for me, but it worked because we’ve been together ever since.
When did you know he/she was the one? Was there something he/she did?, etc.
Daryl and I have been together for over 6 years and I can’t think of an exact moment when I realized that she was “The One”. But as I looked back on the time that we spent together I realized how much my love for her had grown and strengthened. I’ve been blessed to have her in my life and I can’t imagine my life without her.
I have to agree with Joe, I don’t think there was a particular moment in time where I thought, “He’s the one”. After six years we’ve had a lot of moments, some good and some bad and those times have helped us grow and have made us stronger. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t realize that I’m lucky to have him.
Tell us about the proposal. (Did you see it coming, how long was it in the planning?, how did you feel? nervous, excited, freaking out?)
I had been thinking about the “ideal” proposal for half a year before I actually started planning the proposal. It was important for me to ask for her father’s blessing before I proposed. I was just as nervous, if not more, about asking him compared to the actual proposal! After asking her father, I didn’t have a set idea, place, or time for the proposal but I was able to “steal” an idea from Daryl, and put my own twist on it. I like to think that I was cool, calm, and collective the day of the proposal because I didn’t want to make Daryl suspicious of anything. Everything went as planned and my nerves didn’t kick in until it was time for me to open the ring box…I was shaking like a leaf!
Even though Joe stole my idea I still had no idea that he was up to anything. Of course I always hoped that one day he would ask me to marry him, but he was definitely playing it off and I was clueless. As Joe and I sat on the patio of one of our favorite restaurants the jeweler turned the corner, with a briefcase in hand, and I was in complete shock. I couldn’t really believe what was happening until Joe started speaking. We even had our dog with us and I’m pretty sure he was excited to have witnessed the proposal. It’s a day that I will never forget.
Tell us the one thing you love most about each other.
Daryl is a caring, loving, unselfish person that never hesitates to put the needs of others before her own.
I love that Joe is so driven and focused. He inspires me to make the most out of all situations and is always there to pick me up when I need it.
If you feel comfortable, share with us something silly or quirky the other person does.
Every time Daryl replaces a roll of toilet paper, she puts it in backwards (as far as I’m concerned)! She loads it with the toilet paper going under not over, and I fix it every time. She is nice enough to leave it that way, once I make the change.
Joe has a fear of birds…all birds, even little harmless baby birds.
When the opportunity to photograph an Ocean City Maryland wedding who can't say YES! When I met Anna and Chris I could see their excitement for their special day. Once they told me about the details it just kept getting better!
The wedding took place in The Golden Sands Club Condominium right on the beach. The couple was hoping for a sunny beach day but mother nature decided she would make herself known that day. It decided to rain most of the day (it also rained on my wedding day as well, I think its good luck) but mother nature thought she would allow us to get the formals and some creative shots.
The venue was great about keeping everyone up to date and working with the bride and groom about their decisions. The ceremony was held upstairs (I believe 23 stories up!) and I really enjoyed that room because of the beautiful window ceiling above.
This club was special to Chris because his parents own a beach home across the street. He spent much time at the club and I can see why they wanted to be married there as well!
I mentioned the ceiling earlier, as you can see it was just stunning. Mother nature might have rained but she also keep the sky cloudy to keep that ceiling perfect for the images! (Photographers don't really like direct sun light, it too HARSH so we like a cloudy sky)
During the reception we were guided by Steve Moody from Steve Moody's Entertainment Connection. Steve and his team was absolutely amazing during the reception, not only was he a great MC but they kept the dance floor filled throughout the night. One huge thing they did for us was kept the guests reminded of our Photo Booth which was in the next room.
Anna's father surprised us all with his speech and "Celebrate Good Times, Come On" dance. He was going through his speech and planned it with the DJ to cue the song when he said that sentence. Not only did he just sing it but that man sure has some moves!
Mother nature decided to help us out one more time with a beautiful sunset for an amazing kiss portrait for the newly-wed couple.
As you can see the party continued until closing time! I think that reception was one of the few where there were very few people sitting watching the party. Both families kept dancing the night away and had a blast! Again let me give a shout out to Steve Moody from Steve Moody's Entertainment Connection for the amazing lighting for the reception.
We wish Anna and Chris a healthy and happy lifetime together!
Thanks guys we had a blast!
I have known Rachael since high school and when she asked me to photograph her wedding I was so happy to say yes! It was at the beautiful Blue Mountain Ski Resort and most of us have spent some winter times there but WOW! What an amazing place to get married even without the snow. The work they have done there is amazing! This wedding was an absolute blast with her bridal party. The textures, woods and stones throughout this venue just makes a beautiful backdrop to your wedding.
The ceremony was outdoors next to their open mountain scape and waterfall. Nothing was more precious than her daughter Ava during the ceremony. She stood by the couple as they took their vows. I have done a few wedding with children of the couple and it is something special to see their eyes light up when they see each other.
The vast variety of locations for images was a photographers dream! From the inside sky lodge, wood texture grill area to the patio location were all great places to photograph the party and couple.
Not only was venue beautiful but then party inside was just as amazing! The party just continued throughout the night. The DJ did a wonderful job keeping the party alive with people on the dance floor all night!
We wish the couple and Ava a lifetime of happiness!
When Bob & Michelle contacted me to photograph their wedding I was honored. I worked with Bob many years ago and we had lost touch. I had seen them at another wedding we photographed and they were interested in some of my services.
Their wedding venue was beautiful, Bear Creek Resort did a fantastic job in making the event perfect.
I can not wait to work with them again!
Chris and Anna contacted me about capturing their wedding this coming year. This wedding will be very fun because it will be down in Ocean City, MD. We had a great time walking around Patterson Park in Baltimore during their engagement session. I really enjoy engagement sessions because it allows minimal stress time for us to get to know each other.
I can not wait until their wedding!
At my last fundraiser for CF, we were approached by Alex from The Light House, Homeless Prevention Support Center. He explained the amazing stuff the center does to help people get back on their feet.
He asked to have a Photo Booth at their graduation for their students in the program. This is a great event for them because of their change in direction of life.
What a great event and amazing people.
I had the pleasure of working with the Cropper family from the suburbs of Annapolis, Severna Park. We had a great time working with them and ordering their products. They ended up purchasing one of our large canvas clusters for their living room! I hope to work with them in the future.
When they say opposites attract, it's for a reason. I'm outgoing, outspoken, and smart-mouthed. He's shy, soft-spoken, and straight to the point. We met in High School and in the typical fashion, never spoke to each other. We would pass each other in the halls everyday and stare but it wasn't until an afternoon of swimming at a mutual friend’s house in 2005 that we actually spoke. No more than a couple words and we were hooked. He asked me out in the famous "Do you wanna go out with me" text on July 8, 2005. We were 15 years old. We have been through some ups and downs and a few bumps in the road but we always find our way back to each other like we promised when we were 15. Eight years later we are stronger than ever and that shy boy who would stare at me in the halls is still the love of my life and he picked me to spend the rest of his life with! Life couldn't be any sweeter!!!
It's hard to know if the person you are with when you are 15 is going to be the person you spend the rest of your life with. We've had some ups and downs but Matthew was always the home I came back to when things got hard.
We decided to start looking for a house together in December 2011. After months and deals gone wrong, we finally found the house of our dreams in April 2012. During the home inspection, Matt had to work. I spent what seems like 80 hours walking through the house with a man telling me everything that was wrong with the house. Matt gets there right when we are finishing up and says he wants to walk around the house more. Of course I don’t want to since I have been through every inch of the house for the past 3 hours but we go. We make our way up to the room which is now our Master Bedroom and he wants to look at the hardwood that’s under the carpet. I’m a little aggravated since I’ve been there for hours and just want to go home. He tells me to wait while he’s on the floor pulling up the carpet. I stare out the window in our bedroom when he says “So you won’t move in unless you have a ring right?” I reply, “YEAH!!!” (in a joking yell), to which he replies “Well how about this one?” I turn around he’s on one knee with a beautiful vintage style ring. I start crying of course and he asks if I will marry him. He told me he had been carrying the ring around with him for a month waiting for the right time. I say YES and run and kiss him in our bedroom of our first house. Oh, and did I mention it was my birthday :) He’s a keeper.
Matthew - I love her because she is the thunder to my summer storm. I feel like she gets me; all of me and loves me just the same.
Amber - I love Matthew's acceptance. I think soul mates are people that are equally as crazy/weird as you are. I don't have to hide my weirdness or quirks around him because he accepts me whole heartedly and I do the same for him. No matter what crazy dream/goal I have, he stands by me 100% and tries to figure out a way for them to come true. He makes me a better person because I try to be as accepting as he is.
Matthew makes high pitch noises very randomly. These sounds are what break tension when we fight or get too serious. One of the many reasons why I love this man.
Dancing!!! We love to dance so I'm assuming we will be on the dance floor all night long!
I love the vintage feel weddings have right now. I did this with my own wedding - All pale hues of pinks, antique whites and creams, and mint. I also love the antique books and mason jars for center pieces.
Country Chic (As my mom would call it). Lots of anitque books, glasses, cake stands, pale hues of pinks and creams, and dalhias.
How much time it would take me to plan a wedding. We had been enaged for a year and a half before the wedding and I still feel like it wasn't enough time! But everything really worked out well!
Ceremony Location
Linganore Winery
Reception Location
Linagnore Winery
DJ/Band
Justin White (Great vendor, amazing job at keeping the beat throughout the event - GBPhoto)
Florist
Maher's Florist
Dress Salon
David's Bridal
Hair Stylist
Melia White
Other Details/Vendors
Geoff Bernstein Photography did an AMAZING job!!! We loved them!!!
