BJ and Amanda’s beautiful wedding was straight out of a rustic fairy-tale, with a sweet color palette filled with pinks and corals and lots of white. She arrived in a horse-drawn carriage and they were married in front of their family and friends. Even their ceremony exit was filled with dreamy bubbles! Amanda and BJ were looking for a simple and sweet day and they got it. Thanks to Lauren R. Swann Photography
Mary and Geoff were married at the beautiful Gambrill State Park, just outside Frederick. This wasn’t your typical traditional wedding. Mary wore a short green dress. Geoff changed into a Flying Dog T-shirt minutes after the ceremony. They cooked their own crabs. (Basically, it was super awesome.) Mary and Geoff live Downtown Frederick and wanted to incorporate their love of nature into their day. They invited only their closest friends and family to keep the day intimate. After a sweet ceremony officiated by their friend, they headed to Gambrill’s Tea Room for a crab feast and dancing on the outside deck. Our own editor, MK of Mary Kate McKenna Photography, captured this perfect summer wedding… enjoy!
When Robin Shotola send us this bright, beautiful summer wedding, we couldn’t stop dreaming of warm summer days in Frederick County. From the colorful flowers and Vera Wang dress, to the dramatic portraits and delicious cupcakes, Haley and Jeremiah planned a Real Frederick Wedding that we adore. Here’s more from Haley:
Jeremiah and I met when where 13 years old, in middle school. We were good friends throughout high school and began dating our senior year. Three years later, we went to New York City for my 20th birthday, where he proposed on a carriage ride through Central Park! It was like a fairytale. Jeremiah is my best friend. When it came to picking our venue, we remembered having a high school banquet at Morningside Inn and how beautiful it was. It was the first and only venue we checked out! Morningside Inn was the perfect location for a rustic feel, and had everything we wanted. We hardly had to lift a finger, which made the whole process a lot smoother… perfect for our day!
It all started with an e-mail to a girl who I had never met in person before. My mom had given me an email address and told me I should write first and say ‘hello.’ All I knew was that her name was Kim. First there were e-mail exchanges, then telephone calls and eventually our face-to-face meeting at her place in North Carolina. When I first saw Kim, she was wearing the prettiest white dress when she opened the door. She later confessed to me that it took her hours to prepare for our first date and that she was very nervous. I was definitely nervous, too. Every new memory we shared with each other has been special, from our first time having sushi together to eventually planning our wedding. Our paths were set so that we would one day meet each other and no matter how we got to this point, we ended up in each other’s lives as husband and wife.
Isn’t that just so sweet? We love their casual stroll downtown and how Daysy documented their love of Downtown Frederick. Thanks for sharing and congrats to Kim-Ngan and John!
The cocktail hour at your wedding reception serves to welcome guests to celebrate with you, and the right soundtrack is key to setting the mood for the kind of party you intend to have. Years ago, cocktail hour music was kind of a throwaway, with couples directing their DJ or band to just play “background” music. (Conducive to conversation, perhaps, but also utterly unmemorable and with no personal style whatsoever.) I always advise our clients to work with their DJ to craft a cocktail hour that really reflects their tastes and allows guests to mix and mingle in a fun, upbeat way.
Cocktail hour music can be approached in all kinds of ways. Here are five styles you may want to consider for your guests’ first musical impression at your reception:
Whatever cocktail music you select, make sure it reflects your individuality and includes songs you love (almost) as much as you love each other!
Shawna and Michael started out as friends, and eventually started dating. After several years together, Michael planned a special weekend getaway, and didn’t give Shawna any hints (except that she should pack a nice outfit, and another set of clothes for hiking). They ended up in historic Shepherdstown, West Virginia, staying at the Thomas Shepherd Inn, for a romantic weekend, and a proposal! Shawna and Michael chose that same spot for their engagement session with Spence Photographics. They’ll be married this summer at Shade Trees and Evergreens Event Grounds in Frederick.
Flawless hair and makeup is the finishing touch to your bridal look — and no real “recipe” for bridal bliss is complete without it. For worry-free beauty on one of the most memorable (and quite possibly, most stressful) days of your life, it’s wise to leave the task of making hair and makeup magic to the professionals. And a glam squad is just what the wedding planner ordered!
Master makeup artist, bride-to-be, and owner of JK Winn & Company, Jordan Winn, gave us the skinny on glam squads to help you find the best fit for your big day.
What exactly is a glam squad, and how is it different from a regular hair stylist or makeup artist?
A Glam squad is a group of stylists who work together regularly. They all know each other’s strengths and can provide flawless beauty services within a swift and effective timeline. They know how to make sure the chaos and pressure do not affect anyone’s mood. They are used to being on-the-go, so they are excellent at setting up in small areas, have an exquisite kit of goodies, and work with the space provided. Glam squads that specialize in wedding beauty understand that a wedding day beauty stylist is more than just someone who does your hair and makeup.
photo by Anna Kerns
Very important! Look for a variety of different tones, types, looks, hair color, skin color, etc., in the portfolio. More importantly, look for someone who resembles you and don’t hesitate to ask for more examples. There are only so many spaces on a websites for images. Check out social media and such so you can see behind the scenes and other current looks they are providing clients. An active social media presence is a good sign that the squad is active and passionate about showcasing their work.
Should a reputable glam squad offer to do a trial run with me before my wedding?Yes, and that trial should be with the exact artist that you would be working with on your big day. It will most likely bring your artist and you closer, help her understand your vision, and cut down on anxiety. Also, you can use the trial run as an excuse to get all glammed up and do something fun such as a boudoir shoot or a fancy dinner out with the fiancé!
photo by Pearl Grain
What should I bring to my glam squad consultation to ensure they will be able to turn my hair and makeup dreams into reality?Bring all of your pictures and Pinterest pins, your veil and hair accessories, and a picture of your dress. Additionally, wear a shirt similar to the color of your dress and with a neckline similar to your dress so that you can get a good idea of how everything will look. Ideas of what you truly dislike are also very helpful.
Should I wash my hair before my trial? And what about moisturizer? To wear or not to wear?This may sound crazy, but YES for facial moisturizer and NO for hair washing! Hair is best one day old. Wash your hair the morning of the day before your trial. Only put a little product in it — or none at all if at all possible. Blow dry it or air dry (whatever is normal for you), but do not flat iron hair! It will “steam” the hair shut, and make it impossible for it to receive any more heat styling, and this could affect your final result tremendously.
A successful trial will give you:
There should be some clear clause in your contract that outlines what would happen in the event of an artist being unable to make it to your wedding. It should outline if there would be a replacement artist or not, and should state whether you would get a refund of any kind should this happen. If this clause does not exist in the contract, don’t be afraid to ask for it.
Allison and Dan fell in love during their college days at Virginia’s James Madison University. The spent many hours together, playing beautiful music as members of the Marching Royal Dukes. But then, they spent years apart until last Spring. They finally marched down the aisle together at St. John’s Catholic Church in Westminster, as husband and wife, and celebrated with family and friends at Morningside Inn in Frederick. Their lovely wedding was captured by Spence Photographics.
Photography :: Spence Photographics
Ceremony venue :: St. John’s Catholic Church, Westminster
Reception venue :: Morningside Inn
DJ :: Soundsations
Hair stylist :: Kasey O’Hara, The Hair After
Make-up artist :: Gypsy Sol makeup
Flowers :: Blossom and Basket Boutique
Cake/Cupcakes :: Starry Night Bakery
Transportation :: Lasting Impressions
Everything “old” is new again… or should we say the classics never get old? These days, we’re seeing renewed appreciation for the way our grandparents or great-grandparents did things. This classic bicycle, with its jute basket filled with goodies and a big, bulbous horn, reminds us of all the good things that can come from looking for inspiration from the past. Enjoy!
Earlier this month MK gave us a few good reasons why you need to take engagement photos. So, now that you have no doubt that an e-session is the right thing to do, you need some tips and inspiration to make it happen! And that’s where I come in… here’s 4 tips to help you plan and execute a great engagement session with your photographer.
TIP ONE: PLAN AROUND YOUR FAVORITE SEASON
Now that temperatures are warming up in the region, lots of couples are venturing outside to their favorite park or other outdoor destination for e-session photos. Spring is a great season, with all of the colorful flowers and blossoming trees. Keep in mind that spring can also mean rain showers, so bring along a pair of rainboots and an umbrella for some puddle-splashing fun. Summertime provides plenty of daylight and loads of location options (the beach! your family’s lake house! an amusement park!). Summer can also be your photographer’s busiest season, schedule-wise, so be sure to plan way ahead for this season. Fall colors can’t be beat, and temperature-wise, this season is pretty perfect. If you’re going for a cozy, warm feeling in your images, this is the season to plan for. And don’t count out winter! Sure, it’s cold outside, but bundling up in layers and playing in the snow can make for some awesome natural portraits. If you and your other half love skiing and snowman-making, consider planning your e-session in the colder months. Bonus: you’ll likely have your pick of dates and times, since this is the slowest season for most photogs!
TIP TWO: INCORPORATE YOUR PERSONALITY
How do you spend your time together as a couple? Do you like to hang out with friends at your favorite local pub? Are you big fans of wineries? Or can you be found strapping on your hiking boots and heading out on a long, windy trail? Maybe you love to cook elaborate meals together? Think about your passions as a couple, and ask your photographer to incorporate those into your engagement session. Formal portraits are nice, but capturing you two together, being yourselves, and enjoying what you’re doing together can make for some truly awesome, memorable images.
TIP THREE: BRING ALONG YOUR FURRY FRIENDS.
Did you two become pet parents together? Then, bring along your furry friend to your engagement session! This may be the only time to get photos of you three together, since many venues don’t allow pets to attend wedding ceremonies or receptions. Quick tip: if you’d like to include your pet, it may be a good idea to enlist a friend or family member to come along as well, to serve as a pet wrangler. You’re probably going to want a few photos of just the two of you, and you’ll need some extra help during those times.
TIP FOUR: RELAX AND HAVE FUN!
I know, when someone tells you to relax that can be one of the most difficult things to do. Here’s how to accomplish it: Don’t overthink it. Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable. Go barefoot if it feels right. If you love getting dressed up, then do it! But if that makes you cringe, don’t be afraid to wear a T-shirt and shorts – if that’s truly you. Don’t worry about matching colors with each other, but do try to wear complementary colors. Most importantly: Be yourself, and your photos will reflect a relaxed, happy couple.
Molly Fellin Spence is an editor for Heart of Frederick, and co-owns Spence Photographics, a Downtown Frederick photojournalism studio, with her husband, chief photographer David S. Spence.
Planning ahead can truly make or break your wedding day experience. And the one crucial person to include in the planning process (other than your future spouse, of course!) is your photographer. If you do, you will ensure the following:
1. You will get images of all the major events you want captured. When you and your photographer work together to plan your wedding day timeline, she can advise you on the best time of day to plan for your most anticipated photos, in your location of choice. Maybe you’re getting married at a beautiful Frederick countryside venue and “the shot” you want is of you and your new spouse with the Catoctin Mountains in the background. The best way to ensure you will get this image is to communicate with your photographer. She can figure out sunset time on that day so that lighting will be at its absolute best. If you include your photographer in the timeline planning, she can tell you how to make sure she’s there for the important photos you want, such as your planned grand exit. Many couples forget to factor in travel time from the ceremony to the reception location, which often cuts your bridal party portrait taking time short. Your photographer can offer suggestions so this won’t happen.
2. You and your photos will benefit from optimal lighting situations. For outdoor ceremonies, most photographers would advise couples not to plan the ceremony mid-day (when the sun is at its highest and brightest) or after dark (of course). The sun can cast extremely harsh shadows on your face mid-day, and no matter how much Photoshop prowess your photographer has, the images will not be their best. After dark, your photographer will need to use flash to light the subjects in photos. If you love natural light images with little to no artificial lighting, then this scenario is not ideal. Regardless, if you communicate your timeline well with your photographer, he or she will be able to bring any additional equipment needed to capture your day.
3. The day will run smoothly when all vendors know each other and are working together. Have you hired a wedding planner or day-of coordinator? If so, encourage your planner and photographer to chat before the wedding day. It may even be a good idea to plan an in-person meeting if possible. If your coordinator works for your venue, then he can educate your photographer ahead of time on venue policies and share his knowledge of the venue. If you don’t have a planner or day-of coordinator, then your photographer can be your best ally in helping your day to stay on track by allowing him to communicate with the DJ or band, and other vendors so the day will be stress-free for you.
You found the “one,” got the ring, and picked a date. Now what? It’s time to start thinking about a wedding registry! By giving gifts, guests can celebrate your marriage and help you to stock your new home. Here are some tips to keep in mind when creating your bridal registry.
1. Do what you want.
We work with brides of all ages, cultures, hopes and dreams. Your registry should be about who you are and where you want to go in the future. The planning process can be crazy; keep in mind what really matters: you and your fiancé.
2. Timing is everything.
Register six to eight months before your wedding. It may sound early, but your guests will appreciate you taking the guesswork out of gift buying for engagement parties or showers. Many couples also update registries before any parties to make sure that there are plenty of options for guests to work with.
3. Bring the proper support.
Whether your fiancé, your maid of honor, family member, or a whole entourage comes to your registry appointment, make sure they are ready to support your tastes and choices. When in doubt, keep it simple. After all, these gifts are for you!
4. Think long term.
Remember, you are registering not only for the present day, but also for your entire life together. This is the time to ask for china, flatware and linens that will become cherished heirlooms. Just because you live in a tiny apartment right now, doesn’t mean you won’t host family holidays in your future home.
5. Balance your selections.
It’s important to provide a variety of price points for your guests. Aim for at least twice as many gifts as guests, ranging from under $50 up to $300 and above. Your cash-strapped brother and wealthy aunt both need to have options within their budgets.
Relish Décor is a lifestyle boutique known for a stylish selection of tabletop housewares, kitchen furnishings and unique gifts located in Downtown Frederick, Maryland, with a goal to provide a curated selection of merchandise not commonly found in the mainstream retail market. Relish offers a personalized wedding registry experience for couples in store and online at relishdecor.com.
For many brides and grooms, one of the most meaningful moments at their wedding reception is the dance with their mom or dad. It can be full of meaning and tears or laughter and fun. No matter what, it’s an important tradition at many weddings, so we asked our readers and Facebook fans to share with us their favorite memories from their dance with their mom or dad.
My father died in 2005, so I danced with my mom at my wedding. It started with “Because You Loved Me,” by Celine Dion and then it transitioned into “She Bangs,: by William Hung. (You know, the horrible version that was his audition on “American Idol”). “She Bangs” was my dad’s favorite song, so I kept it a secret and when the music changed at first my mom wasn’t sure what was going on, but once she recognized the song she had a blast dancing to it. And it was a fun (and uplifting) way to keep my father in my day. – Katelyn Keegan
We danced to a “Sound of Music” classic, “Edelweiss,” with my dad. We sang the whole time! It’s our favorite family movie! - Lara Knepper
My husband and I ended up running away to Lake Tahoe and got married… I would have done “My Girl,” by The Temptations; my dad used to sing that to me all the time. - Sharon Wresche Brent
I surprised my dad by picking one of his favorite John Prine songs, “It’s a Big Old Goofy World.” I have been getting him tickets to see John every year for Fathers’ Day for a long time. – Jessica Latos
For many years when I was younger, my dad would rock me to sleep singing “Sweet Baby James,” by James Taylor. I surprised him at our wedding by playing that song for our father/daughter dance… it was a really happy, emotional moment. That song has always been special to me because of the memories from my childhood, and now even more so. -Briana McPherson
I made a playlist and put it on a thumb drive to send to my dad so he can pick out the song (you know…pre-approved from my list…) for us to dance to. – Rebecca Jo Dick
My dad and I danced to his favorite song, “What a Wonderful World.” In my head, for months and months, I had this idea we’d both be crying and emotional. But when it started my dad said to me, “Hey, last time I heard this song was at a funeral!” and I laughed and then we just chatted the rest of the song while we danced. It’s funny how we can plan our weddings all we want, but you just never know how things will pan out! - Mary Kate Battles
As March comes in like a lion, full of ice and icy temperatures, we’re seeking warmth. This color palette, featuring warm, glory colors, goes a long way toward getting us in the right frame of mind.
Back when my parents got married in the 1960s, most (probably all) of the wedding planning was done exclusively by the ladies. (Think: Steel Magnolias, “My colors are blush and bashful…”).
All eyes were on the bride, and little attention was paid to the guys. But modern grooms are stepping up to the plate and getting way more involved in the planning process. (Think: midnight taco trucks at the reception; engagement sessions featuring his favorite ride; or a signature cocktail mixed up for the cocktail hour.)
During the last decade or so, guys have really started to show off their personal style on their wedding day, with great results. For some guys, this comes naturally. Others may need a little nudge.
So, in the spirit of nudging, here are 6 ways to show of your Guy Style on your wedding day:
1. Take inspiration from the season. Having an outdoor, summertime wedding? Consider going without a suit jacket and throwing on a vest or an interesting pair of suspenders, like Lucas and his guys did (below). Bonus points for completing the look with colorful bowties!
2. Get creative with headwear. Love wearing hats? Trade out your baseball cap for a vintage fedora or stylish newsboy. Or, go old-school, like Jon Paul, and add a pocket watch, too.
3. Don’t fear the boutonniere! Flowers can be fun… and manly! (Sort of.) Try a single flower or small succulent instead of an elaborate rose. Or ask a crafty friend to create something unique (See Jon Paul, again, above). One of the most creative ways we’ve seen florals on guys is Henry’s lapel decoration (below). We love how his flowers were set inside an old shell casing, a nod to his military service.
4. Shoes can be comfy AND cool. Love to wear cowboy boots, Doc Martens or Chuck Taylors? (I feel you.) Then buy a nice, shiny new pair and don them on your big day! The casual and formal can work well together!
5. Show off your heritage. Got some Scottish blood? Go for the kilt, like Raymond did on his wedding day.
6. Even if you’re feeling conservative, add a little bit of flair. Sure, it’s always OK to go with a traditional, classy tuxedo. But try to add a little something fun and unexpected to your outfit. How about a great watch or cool cufflinks? A pair of stylish sunglasses at an outdoor wedding or colorful socks anytime of year are some small but great ideas.
Molly Fellin Spence is an editor for Heart of Frederick, and co-owns Spence Photographics, a Downtown Frederick photojournalism studio, with her husband, David (who has quite a bit of Guy Style himself)!
by Jenna Shriver, of Jenna Shriver PhotographyWith Valentine’s Day just behind us, it seems like the perfect opportunity to talk about love and relationships! On holidays and special occasions such as Valentine’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, and most notably, on our wedding day, that we celebrate love and those we love.
But what about the hundreds of normal days before, in between and after? Isn’t it in those regular days that true love is shown, experienced and most needed?
What I want for us all is to prepare for and invest in those regular days that make up our lives. For us to go beyond just that one “special” day in the highlight reel of our lives.
As a wedding and portrait photographer, a wife, and a mother, I am extremely passionate about encouraging others to continually commit to building their relationships before and after the wedding day. Your venue, food, floral arrangements, decorations and even your photographer are an important part of your wedding day that help to celebrate your love; but they all pale in comparison to the love of your spouse in the difficult times in life.
If you want your love to be strong, it takes a deeper commitment beyond just choosing the perfect linens and getting the most creative bridal portraits! My advice to couples who are preparing for their wedding day, or even those who have been married for a decade, is to invest in your relationship with each other.
Please know that will look different for each couple.
For my husband and I, before we were married, it meant that we made absolutely sure that we shared the same foundation on things that matter to us. We share the same faith, dreams for the future, plans for parenting our children and managing finances, among other very important foundational decisions.
Through three years of marriage, we have not always seen eye to eye, but we still share the same foundation. While we were engaged and planning our wedding we took the time to attend marriage preparation classes together through the Marriage and Relationship Education Center in Westminster, Md., as well as some with our pastor.
They prompted us to talk about unfamiliar things that we had not faced since we weren’t yet married. They also helped teach us how we give and receive love so that we could better understand how we were trying to communicate our love to each other.
We learned how important it is to take time to do what fills us up individually so that we can be more fulfilled for each other. It means that we continue to come back to reevaluate that we are growing together and making decisions in unity.
I also strive to know and love my husband better today than I did yesterday. I want to look back on our wedding day as one of the days of our lives that I loved him least because, for me, that will be the reward of a loving marriage.
One of our goals this year is to make more time for date nights as well as time to just rest. That can be very difficult to do while raising young children and with both of us working jobs with odd hours. But I believe that our son deserves parents that are not just happily married, but also fulfilled in their relationship. We should be best friends who are loving life together, even on the difficult and regular days.
I encourage you to seek out counseling or classes as you prepare for your wedding day. Attend a retreat or conference or go on a vacation to help you reconnect or deepen your relationship with your spouse if you’re already married. It is so worth the investment of time and resources into your relationship!
It helps both you and the person that you love to ensure the days before, in between, and after your “highlight reel” days are just as joyful and fulfilling.
These last few weeks have been so icy and snowy! It’s a great time to share this wintry color palette, created by our friends at Think Baseline. Winter whites and ice blues are the perfect hues to use as inspiration this time of year. So grab your scarf and your skates, and enjoy our Frederick County winter!
