Wedding: Elaine + Michael

Elaine and Michael is a cute couple that just love animals. I told about their favorite places to go and how they were integral to their relationship when I posted their engagement photo session at the Washington DC National Zoo.

I was happy that I finally was able to photograph their wedding at a gorgeous and serene location, the Harbourtowne Golf Resort at St. Michaels, Maryland. It was a really nice waterfront golf resort for a getaway from the city.

If you check the aerial shot of the resort from the venue’s Web site, you can see that the area is surrounded by water, which is part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Bride and Groom sitting on adirondack chairs cuddling, overlooking at the water. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

Anyway, please check out some of my favorite shots from the wedding.

Since their dog Digby couldn’t come to the resort, Elaine and Michael brought this stuffed toy dog to represent Digby’s presence at the wedding.

Stuffed toy dog with wedding bands and engagement ring. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

Want to see how Digby really looks like? Check out the pictures from Elaine and Michael’s engagemet photo session at Dupont Circle area in Washington DC.

Bride's flower bouquet with white rose. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

The Bride always need help for putting on her wedding dress. Here Elaine gets help from her mother and Matron of Honor.

Mother and matron of honor helping bride putting on wedding dress. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Bride putting on earring. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

I just love it when the Bride and Groom want to do a first glance session. To me it’s a more romantic way to see each other the first time because you won’t have the crowds looking at you and you’re free to cuddle, kiss, and hug after your first glance.

Anyway, here’s Mike waiting for Elaine to come and meet him the first time in his tux. Check out the rest of the sequence.

Groom waiting for Bride for first glance. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Bride coming toward Groom for first glance. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Bride smiling while getting close to Groom for first glance. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Bride tapped Groom's shoulder during first glance. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Bride and Groom see each other for the first time. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Bride and Groom cuddled during the first glance. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

Don’t you love the expressions here? The anticipation, the smile, the surprise, and the love? Much better than seeing the first time at the ceremony, I think. At the ceremony, you can’t do these because you’re bound by the protocol. 🙂

Wedding floral bouquet by adirondack chairs with Bride and Groom signs. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

Love the boutonniere on the Groom and the Bride’s flower bouquet.

Groom's jacket with boutonnierre. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Bride holding her white rose floral bouquet. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

Here’s all the gang, the whole wedding party! 🙂

Wedding party group shot. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

The Groom’s party was not your typical set. Michael had the Groomsmen, Best Man, and Maid of Honor, who was his best friend.

Groom with Maid of Honor, Best Man and Groomsmen. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Bride and Groom with the wedding party at the dock. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

The Bridal party was unique too. Elaine had the Bridesmaids, Matron of Honor, and Best Man, who was her brother.

Bride with Bridesmaids, Matron of Honor, and Best Man. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Bride and Groom kissing at the back of a golf cart. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Bride and Groom slow dancing outside by the water. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Bride and Groom doing the dip by a gazebo, by the water on the bay. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

The ceremony site was outside, overlooking at the water. Because this was a Jewish wedding, they set up a Chuppah, a wedding covering where the cloth was held aloft by four poles.

Ceremony site with Chuppah, overlooking at the water. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Blue flower pots for the poles of the Chuppah. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Groom putting boutonniere on grandfather's jacket. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Bride putting boutonniere on father's jacket. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

They also had the Ketubah signing.

Bride and Groom's parent holding Ketubah during the signing ceremony. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Father and grandfather of the groom laughing. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

I love Elaine’s traditional head cover veil.

Mother put on traditional head cover veil on Bride. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Bride and bridal party walking toward the ceremony site. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Grandfather putting jacket on grandmother. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Mother of Groom kissed son during ceremony. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Father of Groom hugged son during ceremony. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Father of Bride escorting daughter during procession ceremony. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Aisle view of guests looking at Rabbi, Bride and Groom during ceremony. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

The cup of wine which will be blessed by the Rabbi for the Kiddushin.

The Rabbi and a cup of wine for the Kiddushin. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

The Bride and Groom reciting their vows.

Groom reciting his vows. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Bride reciting her vows. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

Here comes the breaking of the glass!

Groom breaking the glass. Mazel Tov. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

Mazel Tov! 🙂

Bride and Groom's family clapping hands. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

They had these cute table assignment cards.

Table assignment cards hanging on yellow orchids. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

Their guest signature book was super cute because they used the last and first pages of Dr. Seuss’ book “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” for the signatures.

Guest signature book using Dr. Seuss book Oh, the Places You'll Go! Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

Elaine and Michael did a beautifully choreographed first dance.

Bride and Groom's first dance. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Groom dancing with Bride. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

Before the dinner, the Bride’s and Groom’s fathers offered a blessing called Hamotzi over a Challah, a sweet braided wedding loaf. This gesture represents the first breaking of bread as a new family

Bride and Groom's fathers offered blessing, Hatmozi, over a Challah. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Crabcake dinner with potatoes, green bean, and carrot slices. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

Next was the Father of the Bride and daughter dance, and also Mother of the Groom and son dance.

Father of the Bride and daughter dance. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Mother of the Groom and son dance. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

Afterward, everyone did the Hora dance and finally put the Bride and Groom on chairs and lift them up high in the air! 🙂

The Hora dance and the Bride and Groom sit on chairs lifted up in the air. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Bride hugging and dancing with best friend, Matron of Honor. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Guests dancing. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography. Bride and Groom holding Thank You sign. Harbourtowne Golf Resort wedding photos at St. Michaels, Eastern Shore, Maryland by photographers of Leo Dj Photography.

Congratulations Elain and Mike!

May you live happily ever after! 🙂

 

Leo Dj

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Vendors

Venue and Catering: Harbourtowne Golf Resort and Conference Center

Officiant: Rabbi Steve Klein

Make up & Hair: Jill Sherrard

Dress: Hannalore’s of Olde Town

Florist: Wicked Willow

Cake: Flavor Cupcakery

DJ: Elan-DJ

Cards: Wedding Paper Divas

Wedding favors: Dan’s Chocolates

Ketubah: KetubahStore.com

Video: Baltimore Video Productions

 

 

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