Vintage-Inspired Backyard Wedding in Baltimore

Hanna’s vision for her wedding day was everything I could have asked for. She was highly inspired by her aunt’s wedding photos from 1979, and I was so excited to be a part of this vintage-inspired celebration.

Hanna & Pete’s Roland Park Backyard Wedding

Hanna and Pete made it clear that they wanted raw, imperfect photos of their day, capturing themselves and their guests exactly as they were. Nothing contrived. If you are familiar with my work, you know that was music to my ears! They wanted to prioritize experiencing their wedding day with their friends and family rather than creating moments for the sake of photos.

We started the morning at their family home in Roland Park. Hanna got ready upstairs while Simply Breathe Events made sure everything was going smoothly outside. Her friend Zoe did her makeup, and downstairs, Pete got dressed with friends (and an adorable pup) elsewhere. After Hanna’s dad saw her in her gorgeous handmade Jill Andrews gown, we made our way to Baltimore Country Club for the ceremony.

Hanna and Pete’s ceremony was a classic. Just after dark, Hanna walked down the aisle escorted by both of her parents. It was clear that these two were surrounded by an immense amount of love from friends and family. After the ceremony, we made sure to allow just enough time for quick family portraits - heirlooms that would be passed down in the same way that Hanna received her aunt’s photos. We even managed to gather every single guest for an overhead group photo before taking off.

After a short drive back to the Roland Park house, it was time to party! Hanna and Pete had rented a clear-top tent decorated with paper lanterns and sourced some of the absolute best food trucks in the city. My favorite detail of the reception? The utterly massive cake- topped with raspberries! It felt like a throwback to another era.

This wedding was such a joy to be a part of and a great reminder that you should customize your wedding day to include the things you love the most.

Planner: Simply Breathe Events 
Photographer: McKenzie Elizabeth Photography
Ceremony Venue: Baltimore Country Club
Rentals: White Glove Rentals
Makeup: Zoe Hawryluk
Hair: Behind the Veil
Gown: Jill Andrews Gowns
Bar: Top Shelf Mobile Bartending
Food: Well Crafted Pizza, Gypsy Queen Food Truck, The Sporty Dog
DJ: Timing is Everything Entertainment

Backyard Wedding in Baltimore | Film Wedding Photography | Vintage Inspired Wedding in Maryland

Timeless Waterfront Wedding at Annapolis Yacht Club

Leigh and John reached out to me with a vision of a classic wedding, complete with film photos and some traditional portrait poses. In the end, their day truly felt like it could have taken place in any decade, and I know that these photos are something they will cherish forever without ever feeling dated.

Leigh and John’s Annapolis Yacht Club Wedding

John and Leigh’s wedding was heavily influenced by Leigh’s parents’ wedding at Annapolis Yacht Club back in the 80s. Founded in 1886, AYC is one of the oldest and most respected yacht clubs in the United States and has been a popular wedding venue for many decades. It’s located in the heart of historic Annapolis and is surrounded by beautiful marinas which were the perfect backdrop for their first look and portraits. We even took the time to recreate some of the exact portraits that her parents had taken almost four decades before.

Leigh and John decided to have two ceremonies on their wedding day, which was a unique touch that made the day very special. Their first (more religious) ceremony took place with only their immediate family before the rest of their guests arrived. It was a deeply emotional and wonderful way to start their day. Once the guests arrived, Leigh and John held their second, more secular ceremony so that all of their loved ones could be witnesses to their marriage. I don’t remember the specifics, but I do know a love letter from Leigh’s grandparents was read aloud and literally everyone, including myself, was crying.

These two are truly such sweet souls and I’m so thankful that they included me on their big day. We endured winds and rain from the tailwind of a hurricane and managed to create some beautiful photos and memories together!

Venue: Annapolis Yacht Club
Photography: McKenzie Elizabeth Photography

Fun & Romantic Main Street Ballroom Wedding

There’s nothing I love more than connecting with a client’s family and getting to photograph another wedding for them! A few months after I photographed her brother’s wedding, Hannah reached out about her own, and I was so excited to celebrate with this wonderful group of people again.

Hannah & Dylan’s Wedding at Main Street Ballroom

Dylan and Hannah are an absolute joy to be around, so I was incredibly excited to capture their big day for them. They were already legally married, but they hadn’t had the opportunity to celebrate with their friends and family. Although unfortunate that the celebration was delayed, it made for an incredible evening without so much pressure! Hannah and Dylan were there to party with their guests and have an amazing time, and they did just that! Hannah even changed into the most incredible reception outfit I’ve ever seen so she could really let loose on the dance floor!

These two were childhood sweethearts, having met in 6th grade. Although they didn’t end up together until later down the road, it was clear that they had known each other almost their whole lives and were deeply intertwined together. Hannah and Dylan are truly best friends, and getting to see them spend a day celebrating together was such a joy. And not only was their wedding day about the two of them but about their little girl! These two have a daughter together, and she absolutely stole the show on their big day. She was so excited to be part of the celebration, and she danced all night long! (Personal favorite moment that I can relate to as a parent- letting her walk down the aisle with a cracker hanging out of her mouth. Why tempt a toddler tantrum over a cracker?! Everyone laughed so hard at how adorable it was too!)

I’m so grateful I got to photograph this family on two of their most important days. I love seeing my clients again, and there is truly no bigger honor than your family trusting me with another wedding.

Venue: Main Street Ballroom
Photography: McKenzie Elizabeth Photography

Classic Country Club Wedding in Maryland

Joanna and Tyler had the most beautiful fall wedding at Columbia Country Club. Everything about their day felt classic and romantic, and I’m so excited to share this beautiful celebration.

Joanna and Tyler’s Wedding at Columbia Country Club

These two are absolute sweethearts, and I was looking forward to photographing their big day for them. They started their morning getting ready with their wedding party at the Marriott Bethesda Downtown, which was full of natural light and is an overall great space. My favorite part of the hotel was the rooftop on which Joanna and Tyler had their first look! We had a clear sky and could see for miles, and it was the perfect spot for these two to unite for the first time that day!

Overall, I’m a big fan of first looks, despite hating the official name. (Can we just low-key see each other instead of making it sound like a wedding industry production?) While I totally respect any couple that chooses to see each other as they walk down the aisle, seeing each other earlier on your wedding day is a great alternative. I want my couples to enjoy their guests during cocktail hour. When you have a first look with your partner before your ceremony, we can punch out wedding party photos, couple’s photos, and sometimes even family portraits before the rest of your guests show up. All of which would have to be taken during cocktail hour otherwise. Plus, who doesn’t love a private moment with your favorite person on the biggest day of your life thus far?!

Tyler and Joanna threw an absolutely incredible wedding celebration, and I’m so glad I could be a part of it! From the sweet first looks to Joanna’s killer reception outfit, there was not one detail that was overlooked, nor one person who didn’t have a great time!

Venue: Columbia Country Club
Planner: Marriage and Mimosas
Photography: McKenzie Elizabeth Photography
Florist: Scentsational Florals
Hair & MUA: Behind the Veil
Cake: Balduccis
DJ: DJ Chuck

Family-Focused Wedding at St. Paul's School

Georgeanna and Ki were excited to not only be married to each other but also to join their two families into one. I am so grateful I was able to document such a beautiful time in this couple’s life!

Georgeanna & Ki’s Relaxed Wedding at St. Paul’s School

St. Paul’s is a beautiful campus located just north of Baltimore that is home to three private schools. Georgeanna and Ki have long ties with the school and decided to host their wedding in this beautiful space. After an intimate church ceremony at the campus chapel, they made their way to the Brooklandwood mansion for a laid-back reception.

Georgeanna and Ki spent the afternoon catching up with friends and family and enjoying the beautiful weather. They enjoyed burgers from Chowhound food truck and quality time with their loved ones. This wedding day was a wonderful reminder of the purpose of a wedding: a celebration of the joining of two people. When you strip away all of the frills, it is the signing of some documents and a day spent with those most important to you. This laid-back wedding was absolutely lovely, and I’m so glad I could be a part of it.

Venue: St. Paul’s School
Food truck: Chowhound

BALTIMORE COUNTY WEDDING | MARYLAND FILM WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | INTIMATE WEDDING

Summer Camp Inspired Wedding at Camp Hidden Valley

After having so much fun with Becca and Edward during their engagement session I was incredibly excited about their wedding at Camp Hidden Valley. Their families came together for a weekend of fun in the outdoors and it was such a perfect reflection of these two!

Becca and Edward’s Summer Camp Wedding Weekend

Edward and Becca have a mutual love of the outdoors; from Edward’s childhood as a boy scout to camping, hiking, and gardening together throughout their relationship. Their love of the outdoors combined with the idea of having their family on-site for more than just the ceremony and reception led to the incredible idea of a summer-camp-themed wedding. And where better to pull that off than at Camp Hidden Valley?

Everything about this day was so much fun. They had camp-themed details, hired a food truck for dinner, and started a bonfire after the sun went down. There were tree swings and karaoke and kegs of custom beer - everything you could possibly wish for at an adult summer camp! When they originally reached out to me, Becca described her wedding dream as “feel[ing] like we are receiving a big hug from our family, friends, and community”. I can absolutely say that they pulled this off. These two were surrounded by so much love and it really made the wedding feel like a community celebration.

Becca and Edward truly feel like sunshine contained in human form, and meeting their family and friends was such a joy. This unique wedding was one that I’ll never forget, and I hope to be back for more Camp Hidden Valley weddings in the future!

Venue: Camp Hidden Valley
Food Trucks: 2 Bold Chefs, PhoWheels DC

SUMMER CAMP WEDDING INSPIRATION | MARYLAND RUSTIC WEDDING VENUES | MARYLAND FILM WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Colorful & Whimsical Wedding at The Elm

The Elm is probably my favorite wedding venue in Baltimore, so when Jeremy and Michelle reached out about their wedding there I was so psyched! It’s a quirky, fun, intimate venue and it was the perfect fit for these two sweethearts.

Michelle & Jeremy’s Quirky Wedding at The Elm

Michelle and Jeremy are filled with childlike wonder, which made this wedding an absolute joy. From their colorful outfits to the people they surround themselves with - every single part of their day brought a smile to my face.

After a gorgeous outdoor ceremony where they chose to walk down the aisle together, they spent cocktail hour with their guests, enjoying the party that they had worked hard to put together. I love when couples take the time to truly enjoy their wedding day rather than being rushed around between “tasks." After all, this is likely the largest party you’ll ever throw, and you should get to fully experience it!

We all moved indoors for the reception where the space was filled with stunning colorful flower arrangements by Scentsational Florals. This space is unlike any other in Baltimore. With a rainbow dance floor and tons of vintage posters, you really don’t have to add much to the space. (I loved the origami paper cranes hanging from the ceiling that the couple added, however!) The owner of The Elm, Sharon, has done an absolutely incredible job curating the art in the space and making it whimsical but warm. Her husband is an artist and the large-scale chalk illustrations in the main hall are his brainchild. Not only is The Elm a wedding venue, but also Sharon’s home, and her work reflects how deeply she cares about the space.

Jeremy and Michelle’s wedding was an absolute joy to be a part of. To my future couples - if you’re looking for a fun and unique spot in Baltimore to host your wedding, you have to check out The Elm!

Venue: The Elm
Caterer: Peter Halstad
Florist: Scentsational Florals
Dress: Tonena (Etsy)
Suit: Mantaikotai (Etsy)

LGBTQ+ Wedding Celebration in Baltimore City

Frances and Kerrigan’s wedding day couldn’t be contained to just one iconic Baltimore location. They split their day between the beautiful Whitehall Mill and Cinghiale - one of my favorite restaurants in Fells Point. I was so excited to see these two celebrate their love with all their family and friends.

Frances and Kerrigan’s Joy-filled Wedding in Baltimore

Their wedding day started with Frances and Kerrigan getting ready together at Hotel Indigo - the first of many untraditional things about their wedding that I absolutely loved. Kerrigan got dressed first in a stunning maroon suit and then stepped out of the room for Frances to put on her dress. After a sweet moment between Frances and her mom, Kerrigan came back and the two shared a sentimental “this is really happening” embrace. The giggles and love these two shared at that moment were contagious, and the perfect way to start their wedding day.

From the hotel, we all made our way to Whitehall Mill for portraits and the wedding ceremony. Everyone in Kerrigan and Frances’ wedding party was dressed to the nines and carried a bouquet - regardless of the side of the aisle or gender identity. It was clear that Frances and Kerrigan cared more about their love of each other and their friends than they did about wedding traditions, and it was such a breath of fresh air in an industry that can sometimes be weighed down by outdated and unnecessary traditions.

Frances and Kerrigan’s ceremony was beautiful and full of love and prayer. My favorite part was that they chose to serve Communion themselves - giving them the chance to greet every guest at the altar and share such a deeply special moment with them. They included prayer, song, and nods to the various religious beliefs belonging to members of their family.

After the ceremony, everyone headed over to Cinghiale in Fells Point. These two clearly prioritized good food and good drinks and it was truly a dinner to remember. Their friends and family were overjoyed to celebrate this union, and the room was tangibly filled with joy.

Kerrigan and Frances, thank you so much for including me on your wedding day. Your celebration was both nontraditional and timeless, and I’m so glad I could witness this celebration of your love!

Hotel: Hotel Indigo
Ceremony: Whitehall Mill
Reception: Cinghiale
Planner: Dreamcicle Events
Flowers: Crooked Fence Farm

Loch Raven Reservoir Engagement Session

When Becca and Edward reached out to inquire about a wedding photography package I immediately knew we would click! We had so much fun at their engagement session at Loch Raven, and I can’t wait to share their wedding photos with you soon!

Becca and Edward’s Engagement Session at Loch Raven Reservoir

Becca and Edward decided to add on a mini-engagement session when they booked me for their wedding photography, and I’m so glad they did. This is a great option for anyone who wants to stick to a budget and have a short-and-sweet experience taking photos together and meeting before the big day. We decided on a sunset session at Loch Raven Reservoir in Baltimore County which fit their style perfectly. We spent about 45 minutes getting to know each other and capturing these stunning photos of the two lovebirds on both digital and one roll of 35mm film. It made me so excited for their wedding day! I got to hear all about their families and their wedding plans, and overall had so much fun just getting to know them! By the time their wedding day rolled around, it felt like I was meeting up with old friends.

If you are on the search for a wedding photographer, one thing I would definitely recommend to you is that you book your engagement photos with the same photographer you will have on your wedding day. Engagement photos are a great way to get to know your photographer and get comfortable in front of the camera - both of which add to a more relaxed experience on your wedding day! It’s a great time to go over any insecurities you may have, and become friends with your photographer - after all, they’ll be with you more than almost anyone else on your wedding day. Becca and Edward’s engagement session at Loch Raven Reservoir was a great example of how you don’t need several hours or outfit changes to create beautiful portraits with your partner.

Micro Wedding at the AVAM Sculpture Garden

After postponing their wedding twice due to Covid, Maddie and Brian decided to have an intimate celebration with only their closest friends and family at the American Visionary Art Museum Sculpture Garden. Their celebration was a fantastic reflection of who they are, and I had such a lovely morning celebrating with them.

Maddie & Brian’s Sculpture Garden Micro Wedding

Maddie and Brian’s wedding was a short and sweet celebration of their love. These two are both very soft-spoken, kind people, and their intimate celebration felt like the perfect way to highlight that. Their friends and family were incredibly involved in the wedding, from Maddie’s aunt who officiated, to their friend Lydia at Little Fields Floral who made Maddie’s bouquet. Their wedding felt like not only a joining of two people but a coming together of an entire community.

As I’ve said previously, the American Visionary Art Museum is one of my favorite wedding venues in the city. Not only is it a fun, quirky space, but it’s also a non-profit that prioritizes inclusivity and creativity — a factor that was very important to Maddie and Brian. That being said, the Sculpture Garden is usually a space reserved for portraits, but thanks to Maddie and Brian’s low guest count was the main venue! The awning provided the perfect respite from the sun, and guests of all ages had fun exploring and appreciating the art throughout the space.

I’m so grateful to have witnessed this sweet wedding and I hope it serves as a reminder that breaking away from wedding tradition can help you create a celebration that accurately reflects your love!

Venue: American Visionary Art Museum
Photographer: McKenzie Elizabeth Photography
Florist: Little Fields Floral

American Visionary Art Museum Wedding | Baltimore Film Wedding Photographer | AVAM Sculpture Garden Elopement

Elegant Dulany's Overlook Wedding

Maria and Matt’s wedding at Dulany’s Overlook was an absolute dream. Not only did these two throw the most fun and laid-back wedding reception, but their photos also turned out phenomenal. I’m so excited to finally share this day with all of you!

Maria & Matt’s Wedding at Dulany’s Overlook

Maria and her bridal party started the morning getting ready upstairs at Dulany’s in their gorgeous dressing room area. One of my favorite parts about this venue is its 12-hour rental window, which means you can get ready on-site! While the ladies put on their finishing touches, Matt and his groomsmen hung out in the basement getting-ready suite, complete with pinball machines and French doors onto a patio overlooking the rolling hills. Even though Frederick, Maryland, is only an hour west of Baltimore, it feels like a different world and the perfect spot for a serene rustic wedding.

Maria and Matt chose to do a first look before their ceremony, and I’m so glad they did. It was obvious to me that these two are best friends, and they couldn’t bear to be apart one more minute. They were so excited to see each other, and they both looked absolutely incredible. We then took wedding party photos and some family formals so that Maria and Matt could have as much time as possible to enjoy their cocktail hour with guests.

There were very few things on Maria and Matt’s must-have list. They really wanted to focus on experiencing their wedding day and having fun with their friends and family. However, Maria did have one very specific request for me — a group photo with everyone in attendance. With over 100 guests at their wedding, this was no small feat, but I knew I would figure out a way to pull it off for her! Right before their first dance on the lawn I climbed up to the second floor of the barn and made Maria’s wish come true.

This wedding was so much fun to be a part of and I’m so grateful for Maria and Matt’s trust as I documented their day.

Venue: Dulany’s Overlook
Photography: McKenzie Elizabeth Photography
Makeup: Heather Rae Studios
Florist: Wildflower Weddings
Bakery: Starry Night
DJ: Wizer Productions
Officiant: Joyce Hillberry

Dulaney's Overlook Wedding | Frederick Wedding Photographer | Film Photography in Maryland

American Visionary Arts Museum Wedding

Annie and Ben were an incredibly sweet couple, and I’m so grateful to have photographed their gorgeous wedding for them! Their wedding was absolutely stunning and filled with love from start to finish.

Annie & Ben’s Wedding at the AVAM

We started the day getting ready at Canopy Harbor Point in Baltimore, overlooking the inner harbor. How stunning is that view of the Domino’s sugar sign?! In addition to its incredible location, the Canopy also has an accessible rooftop which made the perfect spot for Annie and Ben’s first look. The wind was intense that day, but these two braved the cold and it ended up swooping up Annie’s veil for the most magical moment. 

After immediate family and wedding party portraits (including their absolutely adorable nephews) we all climbed aboard my favorite transportation in Baltimore - the trolley! Although trolleys don’t run in Baltimore the way they used to, American Limousines offers this beautiful white trolley for special events, and it’s the perfect way to get around the city on your big day. 

Annie and Ben’s indoor wedding ceremony at the American Visionary Art Museum was minimalist and stunning, with exposed brick walls and minimal florals to keep the focus on the couple. After the ceremony, however, things started to feel a bit more like the AVAM we know and love. Cocktail hour was held in the main hall of the visionary center, where they store some of their largest and most iconic pieces including the iconic 15-foot pink poodle Fifi! The American Visionary Art Museum is truly a gem and is the perfect place for a quirky cocktail hour to give your guests plenty to talk about. 

I had so much fun spending the day with Annie, Ben, and all their family and friends. Their wedding day was the perfect combination of effortless romance and classic Baltimore style.

American Visionary Art Museum Wedding | Baltimore Wedding Photographer | Maryland Film Photographer

Fun and Fresh Engineers Club Wedding

The Engineers Club is an absolutely stunning venue in the heart of Mount Vernon, and I’m always excited to get to photograph a wedding there. When Emily and Reig reached out about their wedding that would feature their adorable dog and a killer reception, I knew I had to be part of their day!

Emily and Reig’s Wedding at Baltimore’s Engineer’s Club

There was one word that kept coming up in my discussions with Emily and Reig regarding their wedding day: fun. For them, their wedding day was about their commitment to each other, but also about celebrating with all of their friends and family. And celebrating means prioritizing having a great time! From having their dog Benny as part of their wedding party to the sparkly sneakers that Emily wore to the packed dance floor, they made sure that every single detail of their day added to the fun.

Emily and Reig pulled off not only a gorgeous wedding but a truly enjoyable one. Every guest had a smile on their face from the moment the ceremony began, and their friends were truly some of the best hype people I’ve seen. We took a short break during cocktail hour to capture some photos around Mount Vernon and the base of the Washington Monument which turned out to be some of my favorites. There is something so quintessentially “Baltimore” about portraits in Mount Vernon that just felt like the perfect fit for this celebration. These two partied long after the sun went down and I couldn’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate their love.

I had such a fantastic day capturing this wedding and I can only hope for more couples that put fun as their #1 priority!

Venue: Engineers Club
Photography: McKenzie Elizabeth Photo
DJ: District Remix
Flowers: Dino Designs
Hair and Makeup: Updos for I Dos
Cake: Sunday Morning Bakehouse

Relaxed Wedding at Big Bear Cafe in DC

Intimate Elopement at American Visionary Art Museum Sculpture Garden

There’s nothing about Zachary and John’s elopement I could write that would do more justice than sharing their engagement story. So without further ado, here it is. Get your tissues ready because they got married in the same exact same place. xo

“I (Zach) proposed - one weekend in 2019, John participated in a 5k to support transplant patients and their loved ones in Baltimore. At the conclusion of the 5k, we had some spare time to kill so we wandered around Inner Harbor and wound up at AVAM, where we spent a decent amount of time. At some point in the museum something stirred in me, so I went to the gift shop, found a pair of matching rings, and dragged John to one of the closed exhibits with an overhead mural. I pointed upward which gave me enough time to get down on one knee and ask the million dollar question (he said yes, thankfully).”

Glamorous Wedding at Mount Vernon's Engineer's Club

Cate and Chris were married on a rainy May day in Baltimore, Maryland at Mount Vernon’s historic Engineer’s Club. There are so many gorgeous architectural details at this venue, and while decoration only needs to be minimal, the team at Christine McFarlane Events outdid themselves. Floral arches were creatively constructed by Wanton Poppies and each table had bud vases and tapered candles. It was unreal.

When I arrived, Christine had set up a sweet little flat lay with the couple’s invitations and rings. I will absolutely photograph details and create my own setups on the fly, but having it pre-made allowed me even more time for the creative photojournalism of people. Weddings are human events full of unpredictable emotions and those are what I thrive documenting the most.

Since it was rainy, we took advantage of the conservatory for first look and wedding party portraits. I’m so happy we snuck outside with umbrellas to take 10 minutes of portraits though! By the time we were done, it started pouring. Such good timing. The ceremony was short and sweet, followed by the most glamorous cocktail hour in the library with live jazz music. Toasts as the sun went down was a photographer’s dream scenario. Romantic lighting, laughing (and teary) expressions, and so. many. florals.

Dancing was in the red and hot pink damask ballroom with a live band uplit with blue lights. I took the opportunity to let direct flash lead the way for a very hollywood-era aesthetic on the dance floor. This collection of film and digital images speaks to how seamlessly both mediums flow together. Imperfect, out of focus, emotional, and timeless.

Mess Hall DC Wedding with Monochromatic Decor