Evergreen Museum Wedding: Erin + Michael

With the bride, six bridesmaids, two friends, the bride's mother, a makeup artist and a hair stylist all vying for space in one small hotel suite, the afternoon of getting ready was busy and chaotic.  Sashes were tied, nail polish was applied, hair pieces were secured, jewelry was fastened, and phone calls were made to check on the limo arrival time.  The girls gathered their belongings and we all rushed to Evergreen Museum for photos before the ceremony.

Erin and Michael opted for a first look, and as they saw each other for the first time, the chaos of the morning faded, and the quiet love they share descended and surrounded them.  It was a beautiful day filled with laughter and loving smiles, perfect weather, and a perfect couple.


Erin's Ivy & Aster wedding gown was soft and romantic, and I adored her blush colored Badgley Mischka heels!

The grounds around Evergreen are stunning and made for some beautiful portraits...

Erin did an amazing job pulling together all the details of her vintage garden wedding theme...

Erin and Michael, I had such a wonderful time sharing your amazing day with you - thank you for allowing me to be a part of it.  I hope you're enjoying a wonderful honeymoon in Spain!

2nd Photographer: Peter Bang
Venue: Evergreen Museum & Library
Accommodations: Courtyard Baltimore Downtown
Florist: Sylvia Deck
Hair & Makeup: Silver Immersion
Caterer: Zeffert & Gold
Cake: Heather Pelletier
DJ: C&J Entertainment


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Four Seasons Georgetown Wedding: Christy + Peter

Sweet, loving, easygoing, carefree...these are all words to describe Christy and Peter.  They wanted their wedding to be light and fun, which was a great fit to their personalities.

I 2nd shot this wedding with Peter Bang last year but never got around to blogging it.  But I couldn't forget all of the fun and beautiful details of their big day and would have been remiss not to share them all with you!

Christy and Peter married at the beautiful Holy Trinity Catholic Church.  Christy told me her original dress had come in but there was a hole in it (*gasp*), so at the last minute she went out to find something else and came upon this amazing Oscar de la Renta dress.  She finished the look with a blue sash to match their blue and peach wedding theme colors.

While Peter did the portraits, I ran ahead to the Four Seasons Georgetown for reception detail photos.  How fun are these lollipop place cards??

Cheese Station...

Belgian Waffle Station...

I think I died and went to Four Seasons Heaven when I saw this dessert ROOM!

Christy was so sweet to surprise Peter with this Chicago Station, to have a tribute to his home at the reception...

Peter Bang, thank you for having me along to shoot with you this day!  Christy and Peter, all my best to you in your future together!

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McCrillis Gardens Wedding: Kellie + Nick

It was an intimate ceremony.  Nick and Kellie were joined by their parents and sweet 18-month old Catherine at beautiful McCrillis Gardens.  The whole day leading up to the ceremony was overcast, and just as everyone arrived and got into place, it started to rain.  And rain.  And rain.  But that didn't dampen the smiles on their faces or the joy in their hearts.

Having seen the weather forecast, we all came prepared with large umbrellas to take photos around the gardens, and I used more off-camera flash work than I ever have during bride and groom portraits.  But I love rain photos, and I'm so glad Kellie and Nick were willing to go wherever I asked them to!

Here are a few of my favorites from the day...

And my favorite photo of the evening...

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Stolen Memories + Mother's Day

They were gone.  Stolen.  All of their memories, vanishing like the morning fog, no trace to be found.  My parents were moving back (well, my dad was moving back, my mom was coming for the first time) to the United States from Korea.  In their entire shipment of belongings packed up by the movers, two boxes never made it to their new home.  And these boxes contained the expensive electronics (including my dad's camera gear), as well as all of their photos.  In a matter of days, a lifetime of memories were thieved by someone who valued a paper dollar over someone else's treasured and irreplaceable paper photographs.

There are just a handful of photos that remain from my parents' early days of marriage, before my sister and I were born.  One of these is my mother's passport photo, and to this day it remains one of her favorites.  Several months back I took this small photo to a local camera store and had them scan it.  And just recently I found some time to retouch the new digital copy - getting rid of the honeycomb pattern from the paper, cloning out the imprinted passport stamp, and correcting all of the small scratches that have worn the photo through the years.  I then ordered an 11x14 enlargement on art watercolor paper and had it framed.  This was her Mother's Day gift yesterday, and her reaction was that of joy and tears.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom - I still think you're beautiful....

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You Are The Peanut Butter To My Jelly

You build me up when I’m feeling worn down.

You are my compass when I’m feeling lost.

When I’ve had a rough day you console me, even if you’ve had a rough day of your own.

When I’m overwhelmed and want to hide under a rock, you ARE my rock - my fortress, my strength.

The days I feel like I’m just not good enough you encourage me to keep going and tell me how proud you are of me.

When I haven’t had a chance to shower and my hair is a wreck and I’m not wearing any makeup and am feeling my most self-conscious, you tell me I’m the most beautiful woman in the world.  And then I roll my eyes.  But you say you’re serious and then tell me how much you love me.

You never complain about helping me fold the laundry, and our sock throwing wars always make me laugh.  You keep me young.

You are my fitness coach, therapist, and problem solver.  

You are my best friend.

You are the peanut butter to my jelly.  You hold me together when I’m a mess.

You encourage me to pursue my dreams and you support me in all my endeavors.

You are more than I could ask for and everything I didn’t know I needed.

Happy 7-year Anniversary to the most amazing man I know.  I love you, Chris!

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Turf Valley Wedding: Jamie + Tim

Her nerves matched the weather that day, bordering on calm and stormy.  But as she got ready in her suite at Turf Valley her demeanor did not betray what she felt inside.  She was a picture of calmness, sweetness, and kindness - the same Jamie I came to know and love during her and Tim's engagement session.  These two share a fondness for each other that can't be described in words, but witnessed with each look, each kiss and each touch they shared with each other throughout their wedding day.

There is nothing that touches my heart more than to see the love of a parent for their child.  I love moments like these....

Tim's mom...

Jamie's mom...

Proud father...

The billowing willow trees at the ceremony site set the mood for romance...

Jamie and Tim just after the ceremony, declaring to each other, "We're married!!"

And just as we began the bride and groom photos, the skies opened and it started to rain!  So we ran for cover and found a different location for the rest of the portraits.

Ohhhh...you two.........

Jamie and Tim, you've heard me say this before, but you have a piece of my heart.  I simply adore you two, and the love you have for each other is immeasurable and beautiful.  Thank you for letting me be a part of your day - I couldn't have been more honored.  xo, Laurie

Venue: Turf Valley
2nd Photographer: Shelby Leigh
Florist: Flowers by Judy
Cake: Debi's Cake Studio
Hair: Katie from Oh La La Salon
Makeup: Lauren from Oh La La Salon
DJ: Dan Hawkins from Music Masters Pin It