Ellicott City Archives - Deb Lindsey Photography

It’s pretty obvious I was a little obsessed with a few things at Sarah + Brenden’s wedding. Where to start? Her dress (amazing and perfect for the setting), her edible bouquet, the couple’s dog Ollie (a perfectly behaved gentleman the whole day long) the flower girl and her brother the ring bearer (adorable). And of course, the car. The 1946 Ford truck was restored by the groom and his father in law and originally belonged to the groom’s grandfather. In addition to being mechanically inclined, Brenden and his mother made the luncheon napkins from scraps of quilting material in addition to making the bow ties his brothers wore. This was my first time at Patapsco Valley State Park and the spot they chose for the wedding was gorgeous, overlooking the river. With a rainy start to the day it was a little touch and go as to whether we’d be able to take advantage of the vantage point. By show time, the clouds were parting and it was a quick but lovely ceremony followed by a vegetarian luncheon. It was a small wedding but one filled with personal touches that made it such a pleasure to photograph.

Wedding + Reception site: Patapsco Valley State Park, Ellicott City, Maryland

Caterer Zia’s 410.296.0799

Florist Local Color Flowers 410.262.1494

Hair and makeup NYNY Salon 301.695.7777

For most of us in the wedding business 9-10-11 was a can’t miss date. Kristen and Victor realized the popularity of their date and came to me early via one of my trusted second shooters Ricky Carioti. Ricky had grown up with Kristen and her brothers in Hyattsville and so he sent them my way. It was especially fun for me (and I think for Kristen and her family) that Ricky was there helping me throughout the day. After a week of horrendous rains, the wedding date dawned bright and sunny (and a little warm). But we were happy to have it! Kristin and Victor win my award for the biggest bridal party I think I’ve ever shot—29 in all including bridesmaids, groomsmen, junior bridesmaids, flower girls and ring bearer. I loved the ring bearer—he was adorable in his little shorts and bow tie! It was interesting to watch Victor as Kristen waiting off to the side of the ceremony area for her bridesmaids to come down the aisle. He was trying as hard as possible not to see her until she was really on her way down the aisle. One of the highlights from the day for me was Victor and his mother’s mother-son dance. She was crying during their song and I have to admit, it got to me. This is the one point in the day that I tend to get emotional…it’s the dance I can envision with my son one day. But I was wiping away tears watching them. It’s obviously a close relationship and made for a good photo—I was crying but not hard enough to miss the shot!!