Can I say that never in a million years did I think a wedding would happen so close to home? Literally right next door! My husband and I live in Arbutus, Maryland. A sweet little town that has its own Post Office, comic book store, and movie theater; everything a person needs. The homes aren't cookie cutter, but they all contain the same amount of comfort. Sarah and I have lived close to one another since I moved up here when I was 12. I'd always see her and her siblings playing in the backyard, having a blast with their dog, Holly. So seeing Sarah and Brandon exchange vows in the same backyard was phenomenal. The day started with a very easy commute. With a quick walk right next door. Sarah had everything ready for me, and the entire day had a very light and easy feel. If Sarah was stressed, she didn't show it at all! The guys were even less nervous, spending the afternoon playing Halo, haha! I love wedding days that flow so smoothly. These two have been planning their day for an entire year, so the fact that it all easily fell into place was a true gift.  Since we had been watching the setup of the day from our bathroom window, we were excited to see it all up close! I totally wasn't expecting a complete transformation of the backyard. When we stepped into the ceremony area I was in awe. Sarah's mom, Kim...

There's no other way to describe Jeannine and Pema's day other than "fantastic." The weather, the venue, the couple - it all came together so smoothly. Rocklands Farm is a beautiful location, start to finish. Pairing that with Simply Fresh Events, well, you can't go wrong. This was our first time at Rocklands Farm and I was in awe when we pulled up. It's a gorgeous estate with a big red barn and lovely vineyards. Best of all, it's all very close together. My brain definitely went into overdrive the second we arrived, haha! At the center of all this perfection is, of course, Jeannine and Pema. These two were legally married in July, but saved the party for September. Totally brilliant, since July was super warm this year! They had all of the details beautifully planned, from the dessert table (that Jeannine's Aunt baked and setup), to the backyard cocktail hour. Jeannine's dress was also out of this world. Like, there's unique, and then there's Jeannine's stunning tea length dress trimmed in navy lace. I am so in love with it!  I couldn't get enough of all the tasteful decor. Everything fit the day so well, including the band, Sookey Jump, which includes Jeannine's dad as a member. There's no getting over the easy going flow of the day. It was the greatest way to kick off a loving marriage! Congratulations to Jeannine and Pema! We had the best time celebrating, jamming out to all of...

Pulling up to the Emory Grove Hotel, I was armed with my weather app and rain coat. Shawn and I were so ready for crazy elements, because the entire week there was a 100% chance of thunderstorms. But wouldn't you know, there was someone looking out for these two, and the rain didn't come until we were all safely indoors eating dinner.  A wedding like Grant and Christa's doesn't happen often. The family bond, the friends surrounding them, and the sense of togetherness all fit into the day perfectly. There's an electricity in the air that let's you know "this is going to be awesome" - and it was. My absolute favorite moment has to be when Christa opened her gift from Grant. Neatly packaged was a sweet note, a bible given to Grant for his dedication as a baby, and a bracelet Grant had bought while in Zambia before meeting Christa. Gifts that were destined for Grant's future wife that he had kept specifically for the wedding day. I'm getting chills all over again!  If there is ever two people that deserve all the love and happiness in the world, it's these two. They simultaneously kept so many wedding traditions, while also making the day unique. Their ceremony decor in the tabernacle reflected their rustic Americana inspiration, while the recessional parade made every single guest feel like they had a role in the wedding. No detail was too small to be thought about, which made the...

Melissa and JJ couldn't have asked for a more gorgeous day at the Liriodendron Mansion. The temperature was great, the Maryland humidity was manageable, and the 70% chance of rain never materialized! It was what you expect for a perfect summer day, and it makes me so happy that it fell on Melissa and JJ's wedding! Before I go jumping in, this place may look very familiar. Well, that's because we actually shot another wedding there the previous evening! The Liriodendron is so grand, we chose to hit it up the very next day, haha! Seriously, though, this venue is absolutely so stunning. Melissa and JJ found THE greatest venue for their vows and gathering of loved ones. I think the awe of this venue hits everyone a little differently. Some people walk right through to the ceremony space, face the mansion, and get are awed with all the architectural beauty. Others see what's going on inside of the mansion, and are charmed by the history. It's a fantastic place to kick off your lives together and give your guests more than they ever bargained for ;P. Something I really enjoyed about Melissa and JJ's wedding is that they fit so well together. Not only as a couple, but also with their families. Melissa's three niece's adore JJ, and it was THE cutest thing to see them grab his arm and just hold onto him. I feel like kids are the ultimate judges of character, and the way JJ interacts...

Saturday was a day of double celebrating. For starters, we had Michelle and George's wedding in Catonsville, Maryland at Salem Lutheran Church and Matthew's 1600. Then we were also celebrating my birthday! What better gift is there than doing what you love?! Not to mention that the weather was out of this world. Blue skies, sunny, and the perfect temperature. I don't think there is anything better than that! Leading up to Michelle and George's day, there was a lot of heartbreak. Michelle's father passed away right before Christmas, and I know the powerful emotions that come from that type of loss. Then in April, they had to say goodbye to Michelle's dog, Wrigley, who became George's best friend as well. It was not the easiest path to the wedding day, but these two held onto each other tighter and tighter through every storm. Even though the pain will never completely go away, having each other will help it ease little by little. It was such a joy to be involved in this day. Everything from Michelle getting ready to the thank you speech at dinner was filled with elation. The intimacy in the wedding allowed for them to celebrate with all of their closest friends and family on a very personal level. They chatted and laughed with every single person. I know that at the end of the evening, everyone was able to feel like they were a big part of the wedding. Michelle and George are so incredibly...