Fell's Point Engagement Session: Kimberly + Steve

Baltimore.  It's their stomping ground, and it used to be home until they moved to Northern Virginia.  After Kimberly and Steve met, they found out they lived close to each other and had many other things in common.  Their first date was in Baltimore: sushi, salsa dancing and a boat ride on the water.  Steve didn't even know how to salsa, but he knew that Kimberly loved to, so he was prepared to learn and impress.  The wining, dining, and his skills on the dance floor must have won her over, because many more dates followed, not the least of which included a marriage proposal and a stay on their engagement night at Admiral Inn.  Now they are to be married next June.  In Baltimore.  A place that holds so many special memories.

So it was only fitting that we have their engagement session at Fell's Point, where Steve and Kimberly spent much of their time together.  

Steve is a political consultant, and his friends joke that when he looks at the camera he gives his "politician smile."  I found that every time he looked at Kimberly, his truest and most genuine smile shined through.

"Their bench" where Steve proposed...

Kimberly and Steve, thank you for a fun time in Fells Point.  I can see why you love this place so much!  So excited for your wedding at the Engineer's Club in June!! Pin It

Rustic Maryland Engagement Session: Erin + Michael

She wasn't even supposed to go, but they had an odd number of people and needed an extra to fill their 6-person raft.  Erin had just returned from the Grand Canyon when her best friend asked if she wanted to travel to Pennsylvania for a white water rafting trip early the next morning.  "Why not," Erin decided.

As the caravan of 5 friends made its way down the road, Michael wondered why they were headed back to his house.  Until they passed his turn, heading to Erin's home just a short distance from where he lived.  Erin and Michael talked about their similarities on the drive to PA: how close they lived to each other, that they attended the same school, and that their parents also grew up near each other.  What's more, Erin's best friend was dating Michael's best friend.  

Not long after their rafting trip, Michael asked his best friend to ask his girlfriend to ask Erin to join them on another night out, since he didn't have a date to hang out with.  (And for the longest time, Erin didn't know that's how she got invited - she assumed her best friend had just asked her along.)  But Michael finally came around to asking her out directly, not a group of friends this time, but a movie night at his house.  Now, no longer making up the odd numbers, they are paired for life....

When Erin told me she wanted to have their engagement session on the farm where they live, I was nothing short of ecstatic.  I love me some farmland.  Maybe it's because I spent part of my childhood in upstate New York and have fond memories of picking wild blackberries and watching the production of baling hay, but in some way it feels like a small slice of home.  And their farm?  It didn't disappoint!

Erin and Michael, I had so much fun with you both, and I can't wait for your May wedding at the Evergreen Museum!!  xo... Pin It

Woodlawn Manor Engagement Session: Erin + Daniel

Her friend left her alone with a stranger.  Erin had invited him over to hang out, and he brought Daniel with him.  But when he walked outside with her roommate to smoke, she and Daniel were left alone.  A little awkward at first, they started talking and really hit it off.  

But then Daniel left.  For 3 weeks.  He had taken a trip to Africa to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with his dad.  But the bond he and Erin formed was not easily forgotten.  Their first date after he returned was a double date with Erin's roommate, a shy guy who wanted to take a girl out but was too nervous to go on his own.  And during dinner, they talked all night long, like no one else was in the room.  And I'm not talking about Erin and Daniel!  I'm talking about Daniel and Erin's roommate's date.  Daniel and this other girl had so many things in common that they were off in their own little world for the evening.  Daniel didn't realize he was doing this, and to this day Erin claims she doesn't consider that to be their real first date.  

Even though that evening was not as Erin and her roommie had envisioned, Erin and Daniel continued to talk, and text, and get to know each other.  He even upgraded to unlimited texting, just for her.  

They were once two strangers, alone in a room.  They have become two people, completely in love.

Erin wanted her wedding at Woodlawn Manor, but since their date wasn't available, she did the next best thing...had their engagement session there!

Dimples!  I seriously love them, and Erin has the best one!!  So every time I was looking for that certain smile from her, all I had to say was, "Dimple!"

Erin used to ride and loves horses, so we were excited to have this fella come over and say hello...

I told them our session was done and we started heading back to our cars.  But when I saw this spot, I made them stop for another photo...I just couldn't resist!  I mean...look at these two!!

Erin and Daniel, I had sooo much fun during your engagement session, and I'm so excited for your wedding in June!  xoxo... Laurie Pin It

My Anniversary, Random Facts, And A Sneak Peek

Yesterday was my 2 year blog anniversary, and it's crazy to look back and see how far I've come and how much I've grown since then.  What was merely a spark is now a wildfire, and I'm loving every minute of it.  When I quit my day job this past March, I never thought that Fall of the same year would be as busy and crazy as it has been.  Taking that leap was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

But looking back at my blog I realize I don't talk much about myself.  Well, because I hate talking about myself.  I find other's lives much more interesting than mine!  So here are a few random facts about me on my bloggiversary:

• I put ice in my milk because I like it super cold.  My husband finds this both strange and disgusting.
• I spend about 7 minutes brushing my teeth.  I'm pretty sure I have some mild form of OCD.  Chris thinks I'm ruining my gums, but I boast that my dentist always says I have beautiful teeth and always gives me a clean bill of health.  
• I like going to the dentist.
• After I brush my teeth I get a runny nose.  The upside is that when I use a tissue, it smells faintly of Chris' cologne since the box sits on his sink, and it makes me happy.  
• Bright sun makes me sneeze.
• I fidget.  A lot.  My mother used to tell me I was shaking my luck away.  But I assure you I feel like one of the luckiest girls in the world to have an amazing husband and a job I absolutely love!

Okay, enough about me, and onto someone else.  :)  Here's a sneak peek of Erin and Daniel's engagement session from earlier this week.  I can't wait to blog the rest!

Happy Friday!!

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New York Bridal Market Part II: The Martha Stewart Weddings Event

When Liv invited me to the Martha Stewart Weddings party I just couldn't turn it down.  She told me about last year's event and it sounded like so much fun!  When we first walked in we had our picture taken with Darcy Miller, Editorial Director for Martha Stewart Weddings.  Darcy is totally cute and completely sweet!  We then made our way around the room, enjoying all the fun stations set up on the peripherals and catching some of the fun bite-sized passed hors d'oeuvres, which included sushi, tacos, burgers and many other foods.  Details weren't overlooked as some of the passed trays also included mini drinks, including a rum and coke served in the tiniest coca cola bottle.  

I was also starstruck seeing some of the industry's most talented designers, and to be standing just feet from Reem Acra, Amsale, Claire Pettibone and Monique Lhullier.  Not to mention passing by Randy Fenoli of Say Yes to the Dress several times.  

The color theme was citrus and pink, and I loved this lucite installation hanging above the ice bar.  

Cupcakes by Cake Power...

A spread of meats, cheeses and crackers...

Floral boutonnieres by Matthew Robbins Design...

Liv with the lovely ladies of Hitched Georgetown!

And we took a behind the scenes tour of Martha Stewart's HQ offices.  Here is post production hard at work...

One of many inspiration boards...

Studio space...

Amy DeGiulio, owner of Sugar Flower Cake Shop, was giving a pulled sugar flower demonstration...

And lastly, here are the lovely ladies I had the pleasure of spending time with during Market and at the party: (front row) Aruna Seth and Nia Louise of Aruna Seth; (back row) Kimberly Allen and Jennifer Charles of Something Fabulous, Kate Saur and Liv Hart of Enchanted Atelier, Maud Lescroart of Sophie Hallette, Melissa Bolin of Kitty Andrews Millinery, and yours truly - one lucky gal!!

Thank you, ladies, for making the night so special, and thank you Liv, for having me along!  Loves!

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