Continuing from Allison and Aaron’s wedding ceremony photos at Matapeake Beach, Kent Island, here are the photos from their fun reception party with music from a live band.

This below is one of my favorite photo. The Bride and Groom kissing on the front porch of the Clubhouse.

The guest signing table had vintage decorations and feel to it.

The wedding favors were jars of strawberry jam with custom made labels.

A gorgeous view from the Matapeake Beach, overlooking at the Bay Bride.

What a beautiful day that was. It was supposed to storm but it held up and the day ended with a beautiful sunset.

The Best Man, Mark, showing a picture of Kerry Collins, who was Aaron’s favorite NFL player.  Mark told everyone how Aaron was really loyal to Collins despite his move to different NFL teams.

The Dirty City Band delivered awesome performances.

Leo Dj

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Vendors

Venue: Matapeake Beach and Clubhouse

Officiant: Fran Calhoon, Celebrations of Marriage

Make up: Behind the Veil

Hair: Reed Gallant, Maid of Honor

Dress: David’s Bridal

Florist: Nancy Wyandt

Tent and Chinese lanterns: Eb Tide Tent and Party Rental

Other Decorations: DIY

Catering: Smokehouse Grill

Cake: Pam Baader, friend

Band: Dirty City Band

Ceremony and Cocktail Guitarist: Brian Forte from the band “Mixed Business”

Cards and jam labels: DIY

Wedding favors: DIY

Bartenders: Friends

It was last year in Autumn when Allison and Aaron did their engagement photo session at Annapolis downtown harbor, Eastport, and Quiet Waters Park. At last their wedding day came, and I was really excited to be their photographer, finally was able to photograph their beautiful wedding.

Their wedding was at Matapeake Beach in Stevensville, Kent Island, which was one of the cool venues in Eastern Shore Maryland with gorgeous waterfront view of the Chesapeake Bay.

For the getting ready, the Bride and Groom, the whole wedding party and their families were at the Hilton Garden Inn Kent Island, at Kent Narrows on the Grasonville side.

The Bride, Allison, had her make up done by one of Behind the Veil’s beauty make up team.

Check out the gorgeous detail of the Bride’s wedding gown.

The boys being silly.

Beautiful view from the hotel room overlooking at Kent Narrows. You could also see the famous Jetty Dock Bar from the balcony.

The Bride always gets help putting on the wedding dress…

and sometimes the jewelry…

and the shoes.

Allison decided to see her Father and have a private moment together before they walk down the isle.

Cute yellow flower decorations in mason jars for the ceremony site.

Pillow for the ring bearer boy, corsage for the Mothers, and boutonnieres for the Fathers

A cute floral crown of daisies for the flower girls.

The Bride’s flower bouquet has an heirloom pin.

The Maid of Honor, Reed, put on the mesh birdcage veil on Allison.

Allison and Aaron decided not to do a first glance before the ceremony, but they want to hold hands and talk to each other before they see each other at the ceremony.

The Groom spending time together with his Best Man and Groomsman before the ceremony.

Finally, here comes the ceremony!

The Groom, Aaron, has a big smile seeing Allison the first time in her wedding gown walking down the isle.

After the speech from the officiant, the Aaron and Allison read their personalized vows.

And they’re officially husband and wife! Yay!

To be continued to Part 2, the reception!

Leo Dj

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Vendors

Venue: Matapeake Beach and Clubhouse

Officiant: Fran Calhoon, Celebrations of Marriage

Make up: Behind the Veil

Hair: Reed Gallant, Maid of Honor

Dress: David’s Bridal

Florist: Nancy Wyandt

Tent and Chinese lanterns: Eb Tide Tent and Party Rental

Other Decorations: DIY

Catering: Smokehouse Grill

Cake: Pam Baader, friend

Band: Dirty City Band

Ceremony and Cocktail Guitarist: Brian Forte from the band “Mixed Business”

Cards and jam labels: DIY

Wedding favors: DIY

Bartenders: Friends

Tara and Rob met while playing coed softball.  A mutual friend organized a team and they started chatting over drinks the night of their first game.  Having met in Washington DC, they were surprised to learn that they grew up only 30 minutes apart in upstate New York!

Two weeks later Rob asked Tara out while they were at the DC Waterfront for a friend’s birthday.  After dating for a little more than two years, Rob organized a special night out in DC and proposed on the Kennedy Center terrace on 10/13/12.

Now they’re excited to marry one year later on 10/12/13!

From their story above you can see below why they wanted to do their pre-wedding or engagement photo session at the DC Waterfront, Georgetown area.

Tara and Rob having fun dancing by this patch of yellow wild flowers by the C&O Canal.

This photo below of them holding bicycles and kissing under the stone bridge over the canal reminds me of a scene in Europe.

Congratulations on your engagement Tara and Rob!
See you in the next few months for your wedding!

Leo Dj

Heather and Mauno met in a production of Bye Bye Birdie at the Greenbelt Arts Center when Heather was a freshman in high school and Mauno was still in 8th grade.  It was kind of funny because neither of them was originally cast in the production. Mauno was brought in by his sister because they needed more guys, and Heather was an understudy who had connections in the cast!  They bonded backstage at the show reading the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, and that might have been it if the next year Mauno hadn’t started at the same high school, riding the same bus.  Things got a bit dicey after they went to separate colleges, but here they are…over 15 years later and getting married!

When Heather and Mauno decided to do an out of the ordinary engagement photography session, I was so excited because I get to do something different and new that I had never done before. They decided to wear these awesome and unique costumes. It was a mash up of medieval age or renaissance era wardrobe with comic or video game props (Zelda), and also sci-fi prop (Star Wars). Pretty creative!

Anyone recognize where the idea of the photo below come from?

Yup, from the original Star Wars movie poster with Luke and Leia.

Check out Heather’s awesome and beautiful engagement ring below.

By the way, anyone know what they’re playing here?

Yes, they’re playing Dungeons and Dragons.
That’s how they spend time together sometime. They also like to play computer games together.

Congratulations on your engagement Heather and Mauno!
I look forward to photograph your fun wedding soon!

Leo Dj

After the fun engagement photo session in Philadelphia, the big day for Rachael and Giovanni finally came!

Their wedding venue was at the beautiful and historic Tidewater Inn, Easton, Maryland. It was convenient for the family and the guests that came from out of town because they could spend the night there and all the happenings were also in the same site.

Yup, the venue is a hotel as well. A beautiful historic hotel.

Although, Rachael and Giovanni lived in the suburbs area of Philadelphia, Rachael grew up in Maryland. In fact, her late Grandmother used to play bridge at The Tidewater Inn. This was why the venue was special for Rachael.

Cute wedding shoes for the Bride.

Beautiful wedding bands for the Bride and Groom. The beautiful diamond stone on Rachael’s engagement ring was actually from Rachael’s grandmother’s ring. Interestingly, her grandmother used to be a jeweler.

Here is the Bride, Maid of Honors and the Bridesmaids!

Groom’s boutonniere by Seaberry Farm.

Here is the Groom, Best Men, Ring Bearer, and all the Groomsmen!

Gorgeous violet and purple flower bouquet for the Bride by Seaberry Farm.

Love the cute expression here on Sienna, Rachael and Giovanni’s daughter, which was also the flower girl.

Finally, here comes the Bride!

The Groom, Giovanni, was emotional seeing how beautiful Rachael looked in her wedding gown as she slowly walked down the isle.

Sienna, was really in awe looking at the unity sand ceremony.

Finally, it’s time for Bride and Groom to recite their vows, guided by the officiant, Laura Canon.

Beautiful flower table centerpiece by Seaberry Farm.

Check out these cute and unusual Señora and Señor signs instead of the commonly seen Mrs and Mr.

Bride and Groom’s first dance as husband and wife.

Love this shot below, taken by my second photographer, Ken.

Lovely champagne glasses, ready for the toasts.

Speeches and toasts from the Maid of Honors…

and the Best Men.

Finally, it’s dance time with musics mixed by Jason Wallace from Absolute Entertainment.

Apparently the music was too loud for this little guy, the ring bearer.

The beautiful four-tier cake from Julie Bakes ready for the cake cutting.

This was where the happening was, the Gold Ballroom!

Bouquet and garter toss!

Congratulations Rachael and Giovanni! May your family live happily ever after!

Leo Dj

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Vendors

Venue and Catering: The Tidewater Inn

Officiant: Laura Canon

Dress: Bridal and Groom Suite

Makeup: Studio2Salon

Hair: Lori Shuman

Florist: Seaberry Farm

Cake: Julie Bakes

DJ: Jason Wallace

Photo Booth: Annapolis Photo Booth

I was already very ecstatic that I was able to participate in the 10th Annual Historic Inns of Annapolis Bridal Fair.  But what really made me jump with joy (think of Tom Cruise jumping-on-couch moment at Oprah’s show), was that they asked me to take the detail shots of the decorations and the rooms. I felt super honored! I thank you My Flower Box Events and Going to the Chapel for the recommendations!

Anyway, check out all of these gorgeous details during the event at the Calvert House.

Loving these huge white and pink hydrangeas.

Gorgeous white and purple orchids.

Overall view of the Atrium.

Marshmallow, graham crackers and Hershey chocolate pieces for s’mores.

Check out all these cute decor details from 2hands Studios!

The Bride and Groom’s name was on textured paper on an old typewriter.

It was a great turnout despite the beautiful, sunny but a bit chilly weather. There were a lot of people that came to the show.

It was great show, and I sure would love to participate again next year!

Leo Dj

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Vendors

Venue and Catering: Historic Inns of Annapolis

Decor designer and florist: My Flower Box Events

I was very honored when Erin Janes of the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club called and asked me to document the Bridal Tasting event they would be having.

I was really excited to do it not only because it was an awesome waterfront wedding and event venue, but also because a lot of Bride and Grooms dreamed to have their wedding here at the Beach Club.

During the Bridal Tasting, the attendants get to see few samples of the table centerpieces, linens, china, and silverware.

An awesome sand dollar, star fish, and white orchids table centerpiece.

A lot of the decorations and flowers you see below are the work of the Intrigue Design and Decor team.

Sarah of Intrigue Design and Decor doing some finishing touch up for the table centerpiece.

Gorgeous floral bouquet that matches the table cloth.

I love these suspended rattan balls and the glass candle holders covered with birch tree barks.

The sunflower floral arrangement brought warmth feeling to the table.

I was really fascinated with these sand dollar and starfish filled vase.

Next, the Brides and Grooms-to-be get to taste delicious hor d’oeuvres and drink samplers for the cocktail hour.

The team inside the kitchen, including the General Manager, Dereck Janes, were all super busy providing continuous supply of hor d’oeuvres and drinks for the guests.

During the next session, the guests get to taste the dinner menu.

Fruit and salad appetizers.

On of the many selections to choose from for the dinner menu. Here they had the delicious crab cake, beef steak, mashed potato, red bell pepper and green beans.

Last but not least would be the delicious desert samplers.

Not only they’re delicious, but they looked awesome as well!

This would be the root beer float station.

The fabulous and hard-working wedding manager and coordinator team from the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, Teresa, Erin, and Carrie.

It was quite a long day for the whole event, but I sure enjoyed it! All the staff at the Beach Club were really nice and helpful and sure made my job easier.

I sure wouldn’t mind doing it again next time!

Leo Dj

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Vendors

Venue and Catering: Chespeake Bay Beach Club

Decor designer and florist: Intrigue Design and Decor

Continuing from the getting ready at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront hotel and the wedding ceremony at Sacred Heart Church, Glyndon, MD, here is part two, the reception party from Chelsea and Michael’s wedding at the Baltimore Museum of Industry.

From the church, the wedding party and parents get to ride this cool trolley bus to the hotel and finally to the reception venue.

I noticed when Michael and Chelsea stole a kiss, so like a reflex I immediately took their picture. It only lasted for a few seconds, but I was always ready with my camera.

On our way to the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront hotel, we stopped by at this beautiful location outside of Baltimore.

The beautiful Bride posing with all the handsome Best Man and Groomsmen.

Then it was the handsome Groom’s turn to pose with the beautiful Matron of Honor and Bridesmaids.

Chelsea and her bestie, Lauren, who was also the Matron of Honor.

I love looking at these gorgeous flower bouquets designed by Roberta Salcedo of Bella Fiori Couture Events and Floral Design. The Bride’s floral bouquet was a cascading bouquet of white and purple orchids.

The lovely reception dress that Chelsea was wearing below was a Justin Alexander design. The ceremony dress was a Maggie Sottero design.

Check out these awesome shoes of the Bride, Matron of Honor, and the Bridesmaids. The different leopard print patterns are so cute!

Delicious appetizers were served during the cocktail hour.

The Bride and Groom loved to go to Ryleigh’s in Federal Hill for oysters so they wanted to have raw oysters bar with the oyster shucker at the reception.

Enjoy looking at these delicious hor d’oeuvres from Biddle Street Catering.

A good friend of the Mother of the Bride painted the picture on the right as a gift for Chelsea and Michael. The ironwork background design came from a window in the Baltimore Museum of Industry. The crab was on the invitation and was also designed by the painter. It has C and M initials in a repeating pattern. Chelsea and Michael wanted a crab because Michael proposed to Chelsea on the dock at Crab Alley. At the bottom of the painting are 3 postcards showing Ryleigh’s Oyster House, the dock at Crab Alley and a Baltimore Harbor scene.

They used an old antique door for the table assignment list. Really neat!

I just love looking at the awesome interior of this venue, Baltimore Museum of Industry.

The wedding party put on a show for everyone during their introduction. It was so fun to watch!

Next was the first dance for the Bride and Groom accompanied by the performance from the live band.

The live band was Spectrum from the Washington Talent Agency. There were 8 band members.

Everyone was served these delicious crab cake and steak. Mmmm…

Love this cute idea of using crab trap for putting cards from guests.

Next was the Father of the Bride and daughter dance.

Followed by Mother of the Groom and son dance.

Then it was open dance floor for everyone!

Op op op op oppan Gangnam Style !

Beautiful view of Baltimore Harbor city lights from BMI.

Congratulations Chelsea and Michael! May you both live happily ever after!

Leo Dj

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Vendors

Church: Sacred Heart Church, Glyndon, MD

Venue: The Baltimore Museum of Industry

Makeup and Hair: Amie Decker Beauty

Dress: Terry Warfield, TLC Bridal Boutique, Frederick, MD

Tux: Jos. A. Bank

Florist: Roberta Salcedo, Bella Fiori Couture Floral and Events Design

Catering: Biddle Street Catering

Oyster Bar: Will Hahn, Faidley’s Crab Cakes

Band: Spectrum

Trolley: American Limousine Service

Wedding Invitations: Gay Loskarn

Painting: Lisa Carnes X

If you haven’t seen Chelsea and Michael’s engagement photo session on Kent Island, go check them out! You can also learn how they started their relationship.

I was so excited when the big day finally came. I knew that it’s going to be a beautiful wedding! I was so happy to be a part of it and be able to document the story.

This is one of my favorite shot from the day, which was taken after the ceremony.

But let’s rewind a bit to see what’s going on during the getting ready.

Chelsea, her parents, the Matron of Honor and the Bridesmaids were getting ready at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel.

After the make up and hair do by the team from Amie Decker Beauty, Chelsea opened the gift from Michael.

One last touch up for the Bride’s hair do.

This gorgeous wedding dress would be worn during the reception.

This necklace, however, would be worn throughout the day.

Chelsea had prepared gifts for the Matron of Honor and the Bridesmaids.

The gifts consist earrings …

… and chocolate mustache!

The Matron of Honor, Lauren, helped buttoning up the wedding dress that would be worn for the ceremony.

I love the gorgeous details on this wedding gown.

I laughed when the girls decided to do these silly poses. Too cute!

Meanwhile, the Groom, Michael, the Mother of the Groom, the Best Man, and the Groomsmen were getting ready at a private residence.

The Father of the Bride, seeing his daughter the first time in her wedding dress.

The Father of the Bride practicing on opening the veil.

On the way to the church, the girls were already having a party in the limo, listening and dancing to the music.

The girls have these cute leopard print shoes.

The ceremony was at Sacred Heart Church, Glyndon, Maryland.

Michael seeing Chelsea the first time in her wedding gown.

The Father of the Bride, Chuck, giving away his daughter.

And finally the Bride and Groom were officially husband and wife!

To be continued to Part 2!

Leo Dj

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Vendors

Church: Sacred Heart Church, Glyndon, MD

Venue: The Baltimore Museum of Industry

Makeup and Hair: Amie Decker Beauty

Dress: Terry Warfield, TLC Bridal Boutique, Frederick, MD

Tux: Jos. A. Bank

Florist: Roberta Salcedo, Bella Fiori Couture Floral and Events Design

Catering: Biddle Street Catering

Oyster Bar: Will Hahn, Faidley’s Crab Cakes

Band: Spectrum

Trolley: American Limousine Service

Wedding Invitations: Gay Loskarn

Painting: Lisa Carnes X

Continuing from the ceremony part of the wedding at a private estate in Eastern Shore Maryland, here is part two, the reception party from Danielle and Josh’s wedding.

One of my favorite shot of the day is this one below that shows the interaction between the Bride, Danielle, and her Maid and Matron of Honor, and Bridesmaids.

The Groom, Josh, and his Best Men and Groomsmen.

One of the hor d’oeuvres served during the cocktail hour, fresh steamed shrimps with Old Bay spice. Yumm!

People can also get assorted sweets from the candy station.

After the introduction by the DJ, the Bride and the Groom performed their first dance.

There was a special table serving different kind of gourmet cheeses. They had these cute mice decorations made from metal.

After the speeches from the Best Men, and Maid and Matron of Honor, it was time for the Father of the Bride and Daughter dance,

and also the Mother of the Groom and Son dance.

The Mother of the Bride, Linda, also gave a speech.

Danielle and Josh had cupcakes instead of the traditional wedding cake.

Hula get to taste the cupcake as well!

The DJ of the night, Jimmy Higgins.

Check out this sequence below of the Bride and her Mother-in-Law.

No, it’s not what you think.
What actually happened was that the DJ was playing Thriller from Michael Jackson, and the Mother of the Groom, Diane, pretended to be a zombie and teased the Bride.

As you can see, everyone’s happy and got along well, so no one got hurt.

Congratulations Danielle and Josh!

May you both live happily ever after!

Leo Dj

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Vendors

Officiant: Pastor Mark Farnell and Pastor Karen Handy (United Methodist Bethesda Church, Preston MD)

Make up: Elijah Blue Salon and Retreat

Hair: Elijah Blue Salon and Retreat

Dress: Bridals by Elena

Florist: DIY

Decorations: Eastern Shore Tents and Events

Cupcake: Uptown Cupakes

Catering: Catering by Jamie; Jamie Petrides 410-924-0188

DJ: Jimmy Higgins from Its Your Day DJ

Cards: Allison Barnhill Designs

Wedding favors: DIY