My last wedding of the spring season was on May 19th in Cumberland, Maryland at the beautiful Windsor Castle Events Centre. Conveniently enough, on the same day as the Royal Wedding, just at a different Windsor Castle!
This wedding was a special one. I always say that one of my favorite things about being a photographer is getting to travel throughout big moments in people's lives alongside of them and capture those moments. I've known this bride, Emily, since my sophomore year of college. She was a freshman who lived next door in my building and joined the campus ministry I was a part of. Throughout the rest of out time at Cal U we remained friends. As we moved on to the next stages in our lives, Emily reached out to me when she got engaged to take her engagement photos in Maryland! After we were done taking photos she asked me to photograph her & Martin's wedding as well. Time went by so quickly that I can't even believe they're already married!
The wedding day started at the Windsor Castle Events Centre as I met the ladies upstairs in a stunning naturally lit room full of exposed brick. Emily was sitting in a chair getting her hair done and she already looked incredible! I snapped shots of the bridesmaids mingling and laughing as they casually prepared for the day ahead. Everything was relaxed and chipper as the preparations continued. I moved about the upstairs rooms, capturing the moments between people, details of the shoes and dress, Emily getting her make up done, and her mom and her having little moments of joy in between. I can't explain to you how full my heart gets when people are just so joyful to be marrying the person the love. Especially when it's someone I know and care about!
Once everyone was ready we brought Emily downstairs to have a first look with her father, another one of my favorite wedding moments. We then took the girls outside to grab a few pictures before getting into places for the ceremony to begin! The venue was decorated beautifully with hues of purples, pinks, and blues. The color scheme was incredible and executed so well throughout the wedding day. The ceremony included excited smiles, singing from the sister of the bride, and many tears. Emily & Martin couldn't wait to say "I do!". Once the ceremony was finished we hustled all of the family outside for a lot of family photos. Emily & Martin said that this served as the Harsh side of the family's reunion, so we needed to take a photo of all of them together. They made it super easy to get such a large shot! After we ran through all of the family photos, we wrapped up by getting photos of the bridal party before taken the bride & groom off on their own. We stayed in the small park in front of the castle and just let Emily & Martin be Emily & Martin. I'm all for setting a couple up a position or a location and then letting them settle into their comfortable version of it. I always want photos to reflect the couple or the people I'm photographing, not forcing a vision I have for a "great shot".
Emily & Martin's love for one another was so apparent throughout the picture taking process. They snuggled and held each other close and could not stop smiling! I think it's a safe bet to say they were excited to be married! After the photos we set the couple up for the big entrance into the castle. The entrance was followed by some amazing speeches, including a special message from Emily's brother who couldn't attend the wedding in person. However, it was live streamed so him and others didn't have to miss it entirely! The night continued with Emily & Martin surrounded by the love of friends and family, and even included a family tradition in which the groom is supposed to serenade the bride! However, Martin and his shy demeanor left it up to the rest of the males on the Harsh side of the family to do the serenading! It was an adorable tradition to witness. After much more dancing, love, and laughter, the night concluded with a sparkler exit down the stairs of the castle and off they went in the getaway car.
I am so immensely happy for these two and this new adventure in their lives!
