I was over the moon thrilled when HUM’s Kris Sharrar invited me to join  Deb Poquette and Valarie Wideman to help plan the Christmas meal. The dangling carrot for me? I would get to invite my NACE friends to join me . . . and I know that when I get those guys involved, beautiful things result.

I’m humbled. Truly humbled. Just look and see for yourself. And if you’re at all inclined and want a partner to visit HUM with you . . . just call my name:)

It was all about the guys at HUM, the way it should be . . . but please indulge me while I brag on those generous friends that donated their time and resources . ..

Baltimore’s award winning 2011 Philanthropist of the Year top chef, Jerry Edwards, and his team from  Chef’s Expressions cooked for two days alongside HUM’s Richard Sullivan and his team. Chef’s Expressions brought along complete table settings for 400+ meals, cause that’s how they roll. Coupled with gorgeous linens complements of Tony Barbar at Let’s Do Linens and floral decor by Eddie Wingrat at Flowers and Fancies, the HUM dining room was transformed. See that family ready to serve? They’re mine.

After  full week of event after event, Chef’s Expression’s Chef John wore that smile all night long.

Little Miss Lily Freundel wore her smile all night as well, handing out candy favors provided by Staci Summers, former owner of Haute Cocoa.

My girl Staci Summers.

Our guy, Brian Roberts, the evening’s host and  HUM regular . . . well, he’s the real deal. There to encourage the guys, and, WOW, his message on that night? so powerful. really so powerful.

NACE rockstar servers, Vicki Preston of Entertainment Exchange, Elizabeth Bailey of EB Weddings, The Skippers of Black Tie Video . . .

East Hill Video’s Daniel Watson Bey and our adopted brother, Jerome Dorn . . .

The amazing Tori Morse quartet . . .playin’ some Coldplay . . .

Brian and Jerome:)

Chef Reggie Camphor and HUM’s Frankie Moses . . .

Wedding 411 on Demand’s beautiful Karen Buck . . . the pie girl . . . joined  by her dashing husband, Jay . . .

my dad. that’s all I’m gonna say. yep. my dad.

All the fun  Minneapolis has to offer in in a double trouble package. Two Popes Film’s Greg and Jerry Pope. They could draw the story out of a paper plate. and it would be funny. Wanna laugh? Go onto their site and look at their commercials. Promise.

Sarah Hinsche served it up with a smile. The whole Hinsche clan was in on the evening. Tim, superstar photographer got all these shots, and the kids and Sarah worked all night long. Go team Hinsche!

HUM’s Bob Gehman, the man with the biggest heart in the city . . .

powerful. heartfelt. real deal.

Valarie Wideman and Deb Poquette . . . keeping it running smoothly:)

Diana and Brian took time with each man.

Even my little man, Will.   This was the photo op of his dreams:)

HUM’s Kris Sharrar gives the love right back.

Yeah, it was pretty much a big Roberts love fest:) . . . These kids were amazing helpers. The future of my girl, Bmore is in some good hands.

View the entire gallery here.

Thank you to those who donated their time and resources . . .

Vicki Preston, Entertainment Exchange

Ed Shilling

Staci Summer, Haute Coaco

The Carl Freundel family

Jerry and Greg Pope, TwoPopes Film

The Tim Hinsche family, Tim Hinsche photography

Elizabeth Bailey, Elizabeth Bailey Weddings

Victoria Clausen, Romance of Flowers

Eddie Wingrat, Flowers and Fancies

Jerry Edwards, Chef’s Expressions

Tony Barbar, Let’s Do Linens

Bowtie Bob Nelson

Jean Mayer and Emily Villarreal, Boutique Events

Evelyn and Daniel Watson Bey, East Hill Video

Adan Van Bavel

Stephanie Bradshaw, Bradshaw Styling

Whitney Downs and Laur Fosler, Westin Annapolis

Danielle Baird

Johari Barnes

Julie Brown-Edwards

The Jim Skipper Family, Black Tie Video

Karen and Jay Buck, Wedding 411 on Demand

He maintains that he laid back, believing it in bad taste to hit on the doctor’s daughter. She maintains that she’d search the appointment log looking for the day his dad was scheduled for dental work . . . then dress in her best professional “fresh and flirty.”  While their dads got on with dental work, they got on with chit chat. His subtle flirtations were met with an open heart . . . eventually he could stand it no longer. He scored her number. He texted. She replied. I could cliche the rest is history. But it has only just begun.

When I arrived at Gina’s family home in Ruxton, the skies were  Alice-blue and filled with fluffy clouds. Blossoms hung on the trees and spring was in her glory. Inside their family home Gina’s paarents, brothers and girlfriends were chillin, listening to good music and meandering around the buffet laden with fresh fruit, french toast and delicate pastries. Upstairs, Jamie Leboe was making magic on the makeup stool, and Michelle was coiffing in the adjacent room.

Stanton’s stunning floral creations arrived perfectly early, which gave me extra time to appreciate and capture his artistry.

One of my favorite design teams, Ellene and David  Pomerantz of Write Style  rocked out the invitations  in their trademark classic, fresh style.

Nothing says love like a little teal pouch.

Gina, if genes have their way . . . you’re in really great shape!

Father of the bride. First look. Made me cry.

Gina, have I mentioned the word GORGEOUS??

While the girls were chilling at the family home, the guys were enjoying their morning at the Tremont Grand, undoubtedly the class of Baltimore. Brandon Casey, wedding coordinator extraordinaire had the day under control and it flowed like honey. Tim, my rock star partner,  captured some classic boardroom shots, and he and Tyler did an amazing job capturing the details.

At no other venue do we head first to the bathroom to do wedding portraits!

Now THAT’S what I call a kiss!

I LOVE the Bmore vibe.

Tim’s capture while I was shooting from the front! This is why I always recommend the second photographer add on!!!

This is my favorite shot of Tyler’s.

Fred Behney kept the party rolling all night long.

What’s one night’s sleep in the scheme of a lifetime??

So it was last night . . . Gina and Matt’s Tremont Wedding was gorgeous! A day after the downpour, and Maryland springtime was in her glory.  Both Gina and Matt, and their families are the real deal. Their love is real, their faith is real . . . and if you’re a faithful blog reader, you already know their incredibly romantic courtship story. {engagement sessions}

Gina, seriously? Amazingly, stunningly, perfectly GORGEOUS!

The Tremont Grand. Bmore style. THIS is the bathroom. LOL!

This is what happens when handsome vascular surgeon stumbles upon the most beautiful nurse in the world!

Make no bones about it. Fairytales do come true. But they’re even better when they’re laced with a little real.

So, dear reader, this is just a sneak peak, for joining me last night was my off-camera lighting wizard, the incredible Tim Hinsche, and master of composition, Tyler Lyons. More to come, to put it mildly. And I’ll get a chance to gush a little more about some of the best artists in town . . . stay tuned!

Love is a flower that grows in any soil, works its sweet miracles undaunted by autumn frost or winter snow, blooming fair and fragrant all the year, and blessing those who give and those who receive.

Louisa May Alcott knows a thing or two about love, and she could have been talking about Ben and Ellen.

It was a simply elegant wedding, adorned by piles of snow decorating tree branches and rooftop of Tagart Chapel on the campus of her alma mater, McDonogh School. She was every bit the  classic beauty in her elegant Grecian gown. Ben comfortably fell into his role of   protector,  evidenced through his meaningful glances,  his anticipation of  her needs , and his delight  at the sound of her laughter.  She is  the center of his world. Sharp as a whip, full of understated elegance and a love of family and friends, Ellen and Ben celebrated  their marriage in style at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park on the water in Fells Point.

The day was planned and executed to perfection by Baltimore Wedding Planner, Jennifer Yeager. She did not allow a week of snow and ice deter the flow of the day, engineering the events of the day with the ultimate in professional acumen. I was joined by York College sophomore, Tyler Lyons, who is a graphic design major and did a great job assisting for the day.

Floral design by Stanton Wingrat, of Flowers and Fanices was breathtaking. Stanton’s incredible design seems to capture the style of each of his brides. Ellen’s classic elegance was evident in every one of Stanton’s creations. It’s so obvious. Stanton listens.

Totally chill, Ben and his groomsmen were so much fun to shoot. They were full of great ideas, even more full of personality, and I even trusted ‘em to rifle snowballs right over my head.

Ellen and her attendants prepared for the day in the McDonogh Lower School’s library, a place where Ellen spent much time as a young girl.

Ellen,  you are drop dead beautiful. Simply beautiful.

Mid winter light just poured through the stained glass windows of Tagart Chapel, bathing the entire space in light and warmth.

These guys were such troopers . . . . sleeveless in Bmore January. Brrr. We worked pretty quickly.

Perhaps that’s what true love is all about. Listening. Anticipating. Giving.  Together. Ellen and Ben are getting it right, and it was an honor to document their Baltimore wedding.

This is the view of the Frederick Douglass Education Pavilion.

This is the view FROM the loft bridge at the Frederick Douglass.

Bobby and his crew at The Classic Catering People transformed the space and the food was to die for. I LOVE working with Bobby, because he is super calm and gracious and he always takes care of his people. Tyler and I nibbled on crab cakes and tenderloin. YUM.

The artisans over at Patisserie Poupon were responsible for the beauty.

Ben and Ellen. You are off to a beautiful start. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to document your wedding day!

View the entire gallery here.

the slideshow. right here. right now.