And with that made perfectly clear, the mellifluous nickname rolled off the tongue of just about everyone who addressed Nadia with love and affection throughout the day.  And no one had more of that good stuff than her groom, Ryan, who remained by her side, attending to her every need throughout their springtime garden wedding at the lovely Gramercy Mansion, in Baltimore’s horse country.

Nadia and Ryan have a sweet, sensitive love . . . the kind that is consistently putting the other’s needs above his own. They are perfectly suited for one another, and Nadia planned her wedding day with such delicate attention to detail, pouring every ounce of  her love for Ryan into little love offerings throughout the day.

Her hand made  art deco, netted  headpiece was beautifully accompanied by her stylish dusty rose stilettos. Classic beauty all the way.

Nadia and Ryan. Thank you so much for inviting me into your lives. Your love is real. And the thoughtful things you do for one another are an encouragement to your family and friends.

You are the real deal and it such a beautiful thing to behold.

He slid onto the leathered black bench and began playing the most melodic tune, eyes closed and in the zone. At that moment I realized that Tiff had roped much more than her own cowboy.

They are nothing short of a perfect match, singing to one another as if they alone existed, belly laughing and crying, all in the same breath. Gospel harmonies filling the sanctuary with sweet perfection, the marriage ceremony was a reflection of their deep faith and their love of family. After a romantic dove release the entire bridal party  jumped aboard the horse drawn wagon and drew up to Tiff + Brock’s beautiful horse farm nestled at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, ringing the supper bell to commence the barbeque and country throw down.

View Tiff + Brock’s slideshow here.

Tiff had the vision for the staircase shot. Love when my brides have an opinion . . . cause everyone wins!

I always say I’m not gonna do it, but I can’t help myself. Then I pay the price . . . but it’s worth every penny. It’s the post wedding all nighter . . . it’s when I shoot an incredible wedding and can’t sleep because I had such a blast. So, I make a pot of coffee and pull an all nighter. Scrolling through the day. Documenting the journey. Pulling the images that are storytellers.

Amber and Zac found me on Facebook. And when I met with them last fall, I was really hoping. They are one of those couples that is ready for an adventure- all the time. And talk about beautiful people . . .

Their horse country ceremony was picture perfect . . . the stuff movies are made of. Best friends under a big tree nestled between verdant rolling hills that belong to my neck of the woods. Fast forward a couple of hours and it was the  party to kick off summer in Gettysburg, PA.  Sound Wave’s Fred Behney kept the party rolling at the classic Gettysburg Wyndham and I was joined by Bob and Jen from Knot Movies. Amber and Zac, thank you from the bottom of my heart for including me in your gorgeous wedding day . . .  I adore you both.

Check out the slideshow right here.

“That’s just an imperfection unique to a  handmade album.”

“I’ve never had a client complain about THAT.”

Those were some exact responses that I heard as I searched high and low trying to find a high end wedding album that had the attention to detail that I love. I know the tiny things that bothered me would also bother my clients, and “good enough” is just not okay with me.

After  ordering several samples and even traveling to labs to talk details , I’ve finally found an album maker that I LOVE. Actually, I found TWO, and I’ll be showing you the other one soon!

Yummy. That’s the best way that I can describe what it feels like to hold these albums. They are covered in European glove leather . . . they remind me of the gloves my Gram used to wear when she would go out on the town to see a show on Broadway. They SMELL the same way, too! These books are heavy and beautiful and the gutter of the book is just as flat as a Kansas prairie. They are gorgeous.

You are looking at a 10 x 10 wedding album, with two parent 8 x 8 replicas, and a DVD slideshow/ CD of high resolution images.

Spine branding on the 10 x 10 album is my personal favorite. It’s modern but subtle. And look at the thick pages. Tight . . . uniform . . . total quality.

Here is a view of the 8 x 8 parent replica, with branding on the front cover. And the square folio to the left is a hardbound leather case which houses the DVD slideshow and all the wedding images on CD. (it’s a double folio)

Check out the gutter. Ultra thin. And the pages lay completely flat when open.

Unlimited panorama spreads really can really pop your favorite wedding images. THAT really makes a statement.

I love to design wedding albums. They are all different, and reflect my client’s personal taste. My clients choose their images, I design the book, we make any desired changes, and  go to press.

These albums are fully customizable. They come in several different colors with several unique cover options.

And the icing on the cake? They come to you packaged in a beautiful velvety sleeve, neatly tucked into sturdy black presentation boxes. It says class all the way.

Here’s what I have to say about the details. It matters. It really does. Because these books are going to be your first family heirloom as a married couple. You’ll pass them along to your children and your children’s children. It’s truly an investment in your future . . . that won’t fade, rust or wear out.

Christmas is comin’ early in the newlywed Connelly household

Baltimore’s Gramercy Mansion was the gorgeous location for Meghan and Jeremy’s outdoor Native American wedding ceremony.

It was a balmy autumn day, with dramatic skies, serving as  a beautiful backdrop to this gorgeous couple.

Meghan (nee McNamara) is an Irish beauty, with cascading red hair and fair skin. Just gorgeous.

Meghan and Jeremy were married in an authentic native American ceremony, full of rich tradition.

The Teelin Irish Dance Company provided a post-ceremony performance. They were fabulous. So tight. Heart pounding loud. They were amazing.

Delaney, Meghan’s niece is carrying on the Irish princess role in full style.

sweet bouquet by blue sage

Just a sneak peak. Way more to come . . . Meghan and Jeremy are an amazing couple. Her dad, Kevin, said it perfectly. “Not only do they love each other . . . they really like each other, as well.”

It shows in the way they look at one another. the way they laugh together. and the way they talk about one another.

sweet. love.

p.s. Frederick’s very own deb edge shot this one with me. Can’t wait to see what her amazing eye found.

]]> http://kathyfreundel.com/blog/weddings/ceresville-mansion/feed/ 1 http://kathyfreundel.com/blog/weddings/backyard-wedding-photography/ http://kathyfreundel.com/blog/weddings/backyard-wedding-photography/#comments Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:45:45 +0000 Baltimore | DC Wedding Photographer Kathy Freundel http://kathyfreundel.com/blog/?p=2066 Connelly. The slide show. ]]> http://kathyfreundel.com/blog/weddings/backyard-wedding-photography/feed/ 0 http://kathyfreundel.com/blog/weddings/backyard-wedding/ http://kathyfreundel.com/blog/weddings/backyard-wedding/#comments Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:46:56 +0000 Baltimore | DC Wedding Photographer Kathy Freundel http://kathyfreundel.com/blog/?p=2030

I’ve been so excited about this wedding all week for lots of reasons.

First of all, Lisa and Steve are so in love with each other and their daughter, Ellie . . .

it was pure joy to share in their wedding day.

I’ve gotten to know Lisa and Steve over the last six months, beginning with our first meeting in my studio in Reisterstown.

Several weeks later we shared a morning together (our “get-to-know-you” session) at Olive Garden, where Lisa and Steve met and fell head over heels.

Lisa and Steve are building a home together just over the hill from me. They’ll be building next to Steve’s boyhood home . . . also the location of their elegant backyard reception.

One of the other things I LOVED about their wedding was that they kept it local.

Starry Night Bakery, Dutterer’s Florist, The Spa at Roop’s Mill, Harry’s Main Street Grille, and  Frank Young, DJ

All from Westminster. ALL really fine pros.

Tim Hinsche shot this wedding with me, and we both agreed . . . great wedding, great couple.

Shannon Kraus at The Spa at Roop’s Mill did such a beautiful job on hair and makeup and kept those girls smiling.

Lisa and Steve’s daughter Ellie was a little tentative at first, but then really warmed to the thought of “princess for a day.”

Mary Couture. Need I say more?

The ceremony was at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Taneytown . . . the one with all the bulldozers in front.

Everyone had a great attitude though, and it was really no big deal.

A photographic trick? A “mirror” application? Naw. That’s Michael, Steve’s twin . . . these guys were super fun together.

This was Steve’s childhood play fort.

Confectionery bliss compliments of Starry Night Bakery.

One of Steve’s family traditions includes wearing “Groucho Marx’s” to special events.

It’s been happening for decades. How much fun is that?