A Timeless Wedding with a Personal Touch

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Laurie + Josh: A Timeless Wedding at Historic Savage Mill Great Room

I’ve never met a couple more excited to finally be married! You could feel their joy the minute you walked into the room. It was my first time meeting either of them in person, but I immediately felt like we’d known each other a very long time! Laurie and her bridesmaids had hair and makeup done at her family home, and this might have been my favorite part of photographing their amazing wedding day. So much love, support, and happiness filled the room, setting the scene for a perfect wedding day. More than a few touching moments passed between Laurie and her family. When she revealed her classic and elegant gown to her dad, I think every single one of us had a tear or two in our eyes. (I’m not crying; you’re crying!) Just a few miles down the road, Josh and his guys were getting ready. This was a very laidback, fun crew! Watching Josh help his sons into their tuxedos and tying their neckties, you could tell that the family bond was strong and at the heart of the celebration.

A First Look

I always stress to couples, build in a lot of portrait time if it is a high priority for your wedding day. Josh and Laurie’s planning did not disappoint! We had plenty of time, and started with what could only be described as an epic first look at the Shrine of St. Anthony. Josh’s reaction to seeing his bride in her gown for the first time – indescribable! I think it would be fair to say she took his breath away. We continued with the rest of the wedding party portraits on the Shrine grounds, which offered a wide variety: gardens, classic architecture, and even a beautiful large barn!

From the Shrine, we traveled to Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Catonsville for the ceremony. Like the rest of the wedding day, their ceremony had tons of personal touches. Their faith plays a large role in their lives, and they wished to have the ceremony reflect that. They even had several friends from the parish perform a wonderful celebration in dance!

Time to Celebrate!

After the ceremony, it was time for the party! I was excited to finally have the opportunity to photograph a reception at the Great Room in Historic Savage Mill. As you may know, my studio was in Savage Mill for three years, and the building and grounds are close to my heart. Many of the other tenants will tell you, the Mill has a heartbeat. It lives and breathes the history of all who have walked the floors. For those three years, it was my home away from home, so to finally have a wedding onsite was a big deal! The Great Room itself is perfect for weddings. I love the blend of history and elegance. The high ceilings lend an extra sense of grandeur, but the space itself still feels cozy and intimate.

The energy and excitement of the day carried straight through the reception. My favorite personal touch was a game they played with the guests, where the “winner” of each round was to perform a good deed for the couple over the next year, such as coming over and making dinner. I loved this idea because it showed how important their connections to friends are, and that they want their home to always be open to those they shared their day with.

Another big congratulations to Laurie and Josh! Your wedding was classic, timeless, and personal. Keep smiling at each other the way you did that day, and I have no doubt that you will have a home filled with laughter and love!