After their engagement session in Baltimore, finally I had the honor to do their wedding photography at Aspen Wye River Conference Center.:)

Let’s see what’s going on at the beginning of the day.

The Bride was getting ready at the Houghton House while the Groom was at the River House. I just love photographing weddings here because the rooms are beautiful.

Here are the colorful flower bouquet for the Bride and Maid of Honor arranged by Seasonal Flowers.

Morgan’s beautiful wedding dress and shoes.

Morgan got help from her best friend to put on the veil.

Spending time with her Father one last time before she walks down the isle.

Boutonniere for the Groom, Grandmother, and Mother of the Groom.

The ceremony was held at the garden by the Houghton House.

The Groom and Best Man had a big smile seeing the Bride escorted by her Father walking down the isle during the procession.

The Bride and Groom reciting their vows.

The beautiful floral decor at the ceremony site.

After the Bride and Groom finished the romantic photo session, they head out to join their guests and families. The cocktail hour and reception was at the River House.

Check out the gorgeous cake with floral decorations from Bay Country Bakery.

They also had delicious mini crab cakes for hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour.

The Father of the Bride gave an introduction speech and a toast to the newly wed couple.

A speech from the Maid of Honor, which was also the Bride’s sister, Chelsea.

Chelsea then dedicated a photo slideshow of the Bride and Groom from the past to present.

Then it was the Best Man’s turn to give speech.

Looks like Jay was admiring Morgan’s wedding ring.

The guests demanding the Bride and Groom to kiss.

Morgan’s best friend gave speech and read poem.

Then finally it’s time for the Bride and Groom to do their first dance.

Followed by Father of the Bride and daughter dance,

and Mother of Groom and son dance.

Outside on the patio, crackers, marshmallow, and chocolate were provided for everyone to make s’mores. Yum!

This was where they could roast the marshmallows.

The floor was open for everyone to dance!

Cake cutting time!

Drink and toast to the newly wed couple!

Time for the bouquet toss!

Apparently, Morgan’s best friend caught the flower!

DJ Justin Darling in action.

Morgan and her best friend were a big fan of Britney Spears. Here they were dancing to one of their favorite song “Baby One More Time”.

Time for the Bride and Maid of Honor to make their s’mores.

Congratulations Morgan and Jay! May you all live happily ever after.

Leo Dj

—

Vendors

Venue: Aspen Wye River Conference Center

Officiant: Reverend Lee Ferrell- Severna Park United Methodist Church

Hair: Kortney Haynes

Dress: Davids Bridal

Flower and Decoration: Seasonal Flowers- Cambridge MD

Wedding Cake and Cookie Wedding Favors: Bay Country Bakery- Cambridge MD

DJ: Justin Darling

Special Music, Soloist: Ashley Burke

This is part two of Kelsey and Jonnie’s wedding, the reception. If you haven’t seen part 1, please check it out! You can see the getting ready and wedding ceremony photos at The Tidewater Inn.

Before we see the fun party pictures, check out the decorations and the table settings in this beautiful ballroom, The Gold Room, at The Tidewater Inn.

These wedding cake toppers are so cute!

Here comes the Bride and Groom!

Bride and Groom’s first dance!

After dinner, it was time for speeches from the Best Men and the Maid of Honor.

Jonnie and his Mom were having fun during Mother of the Groom and son dance.

Finally it’s cake cutting time!

One of the Matron of Honor, Sarah, which was Jonnie’s sister, were given a surprise for her Birthday.

These two group shots are actually outtakes, but their expressions and goofy gestures made me laugh.

They’re all Washington College Alumni.

Time for party!

The DJ of the night, DJ Jeff Furnas.

I think they were all dancing to cupid shuffle. I don’t remember, but it was one of those songs where people could dance together supposedly in sync.

Kelsey and her mother dancing to their favorite song.

What song these guys were singing along with?

Yup, Don’t Stop Believin’, by Journey. This classic song always draws the crowd to sing.

Congratulations, Kelsey and Jonnie!

May you live happily ever after!

Leo Dj

—

Vendors

Venue: The Tidewater Inn

Officiant:  Rev. Amanda Tate

Hair & Make up:  Behind the Veil

Dress:  Marisa

Suit:  Jos. A. Bank in Annapolis, MD

Florist:  Flower Child in Chestertown, MD

Decor:  DIY by the Bride and styled by Angela Ingram (Flower Child) and Melanie Bennett (The Tidewater Inn)

Cake:  Peace of Cake

DJ:  DJ Jeff Furnas with MyDeejay

String Trio:  Chesapeake Strings

Invitations:  Tie That Binds

Calligraphy:  Rachel Carl & Co.

After Kelsey and Jonnie’s engagement photo session at Chestertown and Washington College, I finally had the honor to document their big day.

Kelsey and Jonnie’s wedding ceremony and reception was at The Tidewater Inn, Easton, Maryland.

They got this certificate from The White House, signed by President Obama and the First Lady, Michelle Obama. Not sure how they got it, I forgot to ask.

They got this certificate as well, which seemed to be from Disney? It was signed by Cinderella and Prince Charming. Haha…
I wonder who’s Prince Charming’s real name is. :p

The bride’s beautiful dress, shoes, …

… and the flower bouquet.

The Bride and Groom were getting ready in separate suites at the hotel.

Jonnie opened the card and gift from Kelsey.

Kelsey’s Mom was holding this handkerchief, a gift from Kelsey. It was custom made with custom embroidery.
The inscription was:
To dry your tears
as you have always dried mine.
Love always, Kelsey.

Jonnie’s Mother was very proud and happy for her son.

The ladies from Behind the Veil did an awesome job of make up and hair-do for the Bride, Maid of Honor, Matron of Honor and the Mothers.

The Groom and Best Men were ready.

Opening the card, letter, and gift from Jonnie.

Jonnie helping his Father putting on the boutonniere.

And this was how you help putting on the Bride’s shoes.

I just love long veils! I think they’re very classy!

A locket which has Kelsey’s photo when she was a baby with her late Dad, was attached to the flower bouquet.

And the girls are ready to go!

Here comes the Bride, escorted by her Mother.

Jonnie seeing Kelsey in her wedding dress the first time.

Finally it’s time for the Bride and Groom to recite their vows.

I love how Jonnie looked at Kelsey here, as if it was his first time setting his eyes on her.

You can see the love in their eyes when they looked at each other.

Then it’s time to put on the wedding bands.

“You may now kiss the Bride!”

Introducing for the first time the married couple.

Congratulations Kelsey and Jonnie! May you live happily ever after!

To be continued to Part 2, the wedding reception!

Leo Dj

—

Vendors

Venue: The Tidewater Inn

Officiant:  Rev. Amanda Tate

Hair & Make up:  Behind the Veil

Dress:  Marisa

Suit:  Jos. A. Bank in Annapolis, MD

Florist:  Flower Child in Chestertown, MD

Decor:  DIY by the Bride and styled by Angela Ingram (Flower Child) and Melanie Bennett (The Tidewater Inn)

Cake:  Peace of Cake

DJ:  DJ Jeff Furnas with MyDeejay

String Trio:  Chesapeake Strings

Invitations:  Tie That Binds

Calligraphy:  Rachel Carl & Co.

I met Jenna and Michael the first time through Jenna’s sister Ashley when I did Ashley and Anthony’s wedding photography at Clifton Inn, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Jenna actually met Michael because of Ashley and Anthony’s relationship. Jenna used to live and work in New Jersey. Then about two years ago she went home to be with her family in Delaware for Christmas. She was then introduced to Anthony’s cousin, Michael. Michael asked her on a date, and their relationship grew each passing day.

Finally, in March 2011, Michael proposed, and Jenna said “Yes”.

Jenna and Michael…
sit beneath a tree…
K-I-S-S-I-N-G…

Jenna likes to blog to share her delicious cooking recipes and to share her life adventure. Click here to read about how the proposal went. I have to warn you though that you might shed a tear or two reading the story.

Jenna and Michael are awesome photographers as well! They occasionally get hired to do photo sessions. Check out this this awesome set of images when they captured the moments and the emotions when Ashley was giving birth.

Anyway, congratulations Jenna and Michael! Can’t wait to see you again and photograph your wedding soon! I’m excited because I will also get to meet with lots of familiar faces!

Leo Dj

I met Kelly and Chris the first time through Kelly’s sister-in-law, Lisa, who asked me to do their family portrait session at Annapolis. Even though I didn’t get a chance to spend a lot of time with Kelly and Chris during the photography session, from my first impression I could immediately tell that they were a fun and playful couple.

Kelly and Chris met the first time at college. They were just friends back then. After they graduated, they each went their own separate ways but still kept in touch using MySpace (remember MySpace? ). Their relationship grew stronger and eventually got together in 2008. They finally got engaged in May 2011 at Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Since Washington College was the place where they met the first time, they wanted to do their engagement photo session there and also at Chestertown, Maryland, where they usually hang out.

Kelly have beautiful eyes.

The fall tree foliage made a beautiful colorful carpet for their pre-wedding pictures.

Kelly’s beautiful engagement ring from Chris.

Aren’t they a happy couple? I just love spending time with them.

Congratulations Kelly and Chris! I look forward to photograph your wedding next year!

Leo Dj

After their engagement photo session at Georgetown, Washington, DC, I finally had the honor of photographing Ashlee and Matthew’s wedding at the historic Kitty Knight House, Georgetown, MD.

Here are some more pictures starting from when they were getting ready.

Bride’s wedding dress is complicated, so it’s always great to get help anyway they can. Here Ashlee’s Mother and maid of honor helped her lacing up the dress.

It’s great to get help putting on the shoes as well.

Ashlee and Matthew decided to do the first glance before the ceremony.

First glance is usually an emotional moment for both the bride and groom.

Ashlee meeting her grandfather.

The ceremony location has a great water view.

Time to put the ring on each other’s hand.

Here is the delicious wedding cake.

Then it was time for bride and groom’s first dance as a husband and wife.

The dinner was delicious!

Speeches and toast from the Matron of Honor and the Best Man.

Next was the shoe game!

Cake cutting and…

cake smashing…

Congratulations, Ashlee and Matthew. May you live happily ever after.

Leo Dj

—

Vendors

Venue: The Kitty Knight House

Officiant: Pastor Al

Cake: Papas Pastry Shop

DJ: DJ Paul

Dress: Alfred Angelo

I’ve been getting a lot of engagement photo session of a couple with their dogs lately, and also a couple who are football fans and wanted to use their favorite team’s Jersey. As you will see here, Jennifer is a big fan of the Baltimore Ravens. On the other hand, Mike is a big fan of the Buffalo Bills since he is originally from New York.

So how did they meet? Well Mike met Jenn the first time through his co-worker who was also Jenn’s roommate. After their first meeting, they felt the connection and had been in contact ever since. After dating for about 2.5 years, Jenn and Mike got engaged one week after her sister’s wedding. It was at Alicia and Bobby’s wedding at Rock Hall, MD the first time I met Jennifer and Mike.

Jennifer and Mike wanted to do the pre-wedding photo session in the evening, starting after sunset. It was a challenge for me because I had to use off-camera flashes to provide the light that I wanted, instead of using just the available light.

Here are some of my favorites from that evening.

Here is their dog, Star, a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Just like Jennifer said, you don’t see this breed often.

Congratulations Jennifer and Mike! I’ll see you at the wedding!

Leo Dj

After the engagement photo session at Annapolis, finally I had the honor of covering the photography for Lisette and Curtis’ wedding. It was not in Maryland though, but it was in New Jersey. Why in New Jersey? Well because that’s where they work and live.

Here is the newly wed Bride and Groom under the awesome black glass dome of The Grand Marquis at Old Bridge, NJ.

Let’s rewind a bit to see some pictures from the beginning of the day.

The day started with the getting ready process at The Renaissance Hotel in Woodbridge, NJ.

The bride already had her hair done, so next was the make up.

The Groom had help from his father putting on the boutonniere.

For the Bride, well it’s not that simple to put on the dress like the guys putting on their shirt and tux. You need all the help you can get to put the wedding dress, and especially to button it up.

Here Lisette was getting help from all the ladies, which was the bridesmaids, the matron of honor and her mother.

Check out th bride’s beautiful jeweleries including her awesome engagement ring.

Mother of the bride help putting on the veil.

Then last but not least, a help from one of the bridesmaids to put on the shoes.

After Lisette was ready, she opened the card and gift from Curtis.

The guys are ready for the ceremony!

And of we go with the limo to the church!

The Bride’s uncle and mother walked her down the isle.

Curtis seeing Lisette the first time in her wedding dress.

The beautiful interior of The Holy Trinity church.

Finally it was time to put on the wedding rings.

Outside the church, the bride and groom were sent off with bubbles!

And off they went to the venue, but first a little champagne toast in the limo.

Check out the cool centerpieces that Lisette got.

Check out the beautiful wedding cake as well.

The cake was beautifully decorated with so many red roses!

Then it was time for the bride and groom to dance the first time as husband and wife.

A speech from the Best Man…

and the Maid of Honor.

Curtis’ niece dedicated a song for the newly married couple.

Then it’s party time for everyone!

Can you spot the single guys?

This kid was a really great dancer. Everyone was impressed. He put on quite a show.

Cake cutting time!

I believe here they were dancing to the “Cupid Shuffle” song by Cupid.

By the way, I am not familiar with the Cupid. I only know this one song from them. I wonder if this song would be a one hit wonder?

Looks like the kid got the talent from his Dad, which was one of Curtis’ groomsmen.

Congratulations Lisette and Curtis! May you live happily ever after!

Leo Dj

—

Vendors

Church: Holy Trinity Church

Venue: Grand Marquis

Make up: Mandy Siciliano, Ulta of Princeton, NJ

Hair: All About Hair by Danny, North Bergen, NJ

Dress: Helen Bohn Bridals

Florist: Weagman’s Flowers, Manalapan, NJ

Cake: Grand Marquis Catering

Decorations provided by bride and styled by: Toula, Weagman’s Flowers, Manalapan, NJ

DJ/Musician: Your Beat Entertainment, North Bergen, NJ, Rick Garcia

Limo: Ar-den Limousine, Metuchen, NJ

Hotel: Renaissance Hotel, Woodbridge, NJ

Groom Tux: Men’s Warehouse, Princeton, NJ

Mike is a book writer and Kimmy is a dolphin trainer. Yes, that dolphin, the mammal that swims in the ocean. Kimmy works at the National Aquarium in Baltimore.

I was surprised when Kimmy recognized the dolphin in the profile picture I used on my Facebook. It’s actually a picture of my son looking at a dolphin behind the glass. Kimmy told me the dolphin’s name was Maya. Wow, I’m really impressed! They all looked the same to me. Haha! Well, apparently not. She told me that each dolphin have their own characteristics. Until today, I am still impressed that Kimmy recognized the dolphin on that small picture.

Anyway, let’s go back to Mike and Kimmy’s story.

Kimmy and Mike met at Washington College. It was love at first sight for Mike when he saw Kimmy for the first time. It left a lasting impression for Mike. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for Kimmy.

One day, Mike’s friend told him that Kimmy was in this play and he was still looking for few more students for the cast. Mike was interested. It would be a chance for him to get close to Kimmy.

Mike’s persistence finally paid off. On New Year’s Eve of Kimmy’s junior year, which was about two years from the first meeting, they officially began their relationship.

This spot has a special place in the heart of this engaged couple. One night in Fall of 2006, at 3 a.m. after a party, Kimmy and Mike danced here, just the two of them. Very romantic.

Mike popped out the engagement ring and proposed to Kimmy in July 2011. Of course Kimmy said “Yes”.

The picture that Mike and Kimmy are holding below has an interesting story.

The photo was taken during a spring break in 2005 at Mike’s parent’s house in Vero Beach, FL. Kimmy, Mike and their friends went to this park around sunset.  Their friends who obviously knew that Mike liked Kimmy told them to go pose by this tree because they thought it would make a cute picture.  So their friends were definitely trying to set them up.
However, Kimmy told me that if she had to pinpoint a moment, that moment under the tree would be the moment when she basically fell in love with Mike.  Even though it would be almost a year before they started officially dating, that trip marked what was essentially the beginning of their relationship. What a wonderful story!

Play It Again Sam was one of the few places at Chestertown where they used to hang out together.

Congratulations Kimmy and Mike! I’ll see you at your wedding!

Leo Dj

I met Jessica and Chad through Junelyn and Brad. If you’re curious who Junelyn and Brad are, check out their engagement session at Kent Island and their wedding at 2941 Restaurant at Falls Church, VA. You can see that Chad was one of the groomsmen at Junelyn and Brad’s wedding. Chad and Brad are buddies because they are both in the same music band.

In fact, Chad met Jessica through this very same band, Silent Film, because her brother was the vocalist. Chad actually joined the band later when they were looking for a new guitarist. When Jessica showed up to evaluate this new guy, Chad instantly became attracted to her. Chad thought that she’s hot! After Chad showed his talent, Jessica thought that the guy got skills and that he’s hot!  So it was a mutual love at first sight for both!

Chad and Jessica likes to hang out at Ellicott City, so they chose to do the pre-wedding photo session there.

They also brought their dog Terabyte with them.

Here Terabyte was probably wondering what these guys are up to.

Here Terabyte also wondered why these two are ignoring me.

That evening after the engagement photo session, they treated me at a grilled cheese sandwich restaurant. Unfortunately, I forgot the name, but it was soo good!

Thanks so much guys!

Congratulations again on your engagement, and see you at the wedding!

Leo Dj