From the charming horse topiaries that greeted guests at the entrance to the reception in the Carriage House and the horse shoe table numbers to the Belmont Stakes signature cocktail and the bride’s own horse show ribbons and saddle hung as decor, Ashley Ann and Chris infused their beautiful summer wedding with all kinds of equestrian touches to celebrate her family’s love of horses. Then, after a simple church ceremony and some outdoor photos on the gorgeous grounds of the Evergreen Museum in Baltimore, American Pharoah decided to make the wedding day even more special. Ashley Ann suspected that the majority of her horse-loving guests might ignore the wait staff’s invitation to leave cocktail hour at 6.50 p.m. to head down from the Evergreen’s terrace to the Carriage House. That just so happened to be post time at the Belmont Stakes, some 210 miles away in Elmont, N.Y. We were finishing up photos of the newlyweds in the Evergreen’s manicured gardens when the race started. As we shot a few final photos in the gorgeous, golden, glowy, early-evening light, we heard the low-level cheers on the terrace grow into an excited roar. “Wow, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner must be doing well,” I remember thinking to myself. That’s when Ashley Ann’s mother, in a floor-length ballgown and heels, came racing down the stairs and sprinted toward us. “Ashley Ann, Ashley Ann,” she shouted in her charming, slightly Southern voice, “there’s a Triple Crown winner, there’s a TRIPLE CROWN WINNER!” There were hugs, high fives, drink clinks and more hugs. It was an incredibly fun moment to photograph and a wonderful way to kick off a reception full of touching toasts, enthusiastic dancing (especially when the band played ‘Sweet Home Alabama’) and a wonderful ribbon-waving sendoff for the bride and groom. Here are some of my favorites from this wonderful wedding:
Ashley Ann was delightfully sentimental about her wedding. In addition to the sweet handkerchiefs she had made for her parents, she had two pieces cut from the pink shirt her father wore to the hospital the day she was born and sewn into her gown. The fabric — the palest of pinks — was sewn in the shape of a heart.
I loved these darling little flower girls. 
I love photographing reactions on wedding days — to the bride’s entrance into a ceremony, to vows, to toasts and so on. The reactions of the flower girls and father of the bride upon seeing Ashley Ann for the first time in her gown were wonderful. 
And then we were off to the church. 
Both Chris and Ashley Ann’s mothers were wonderfully expressive during the processional into the church. 
My wonderful assistant, Lindsay, made this next image of Art fixing his daughter’s long veil just before they walked down the aisle. 
The bride was much more interested in having photos of Chris’s reaction to seeing her for the first time than photos of her entering the church. I, of course, shot both. But looking at his great expression, it’s no wonder that she wanted it captured to remember for forever.
Oh how I love this next image of little Charlotte peeking out into the aisle to get a better view of the ceremony. Weddings are whirlwinds. So much happens. And no one can be looking everywhere at once at their own wedding. What I love about still photography is that it freezes little memories like this in time so that people can hang on to them. Or perhaps see them for the first time. 
Married! 
Chris checks out what Ashley Ann had engraved inside his wedding ring for him. 
After a few quick family photos in the church, we headed off to the Evergreen for some fun wedding party and newlywed photos and cocktail hour for the guests. 
This wedding party could not have been more fun. I literally just asked them to ignore me for a few moments and enjoy their time together. They did this.
The groomsmen show off their superhero cufflinks. 
Here comes Lynn to break the news of American Pharoah’s success in becoming the first horse in 37 years to win all three races of the Triple Crown.
Ashley Ann requested just a few more newlywed photos on the Evergreen’s checkered patio before we went off to the reception. 
A few reception details.
A first dance. 
A quartet of marvelous toasts. 
A pair of parent dances. 
And lots and lots of fun and merriment. 
What a sweet moment this was! Ashley Ann pinned to her bouquet two tiny photographs of her late grandfathers. Here, she shows her grandmothers the pins and tells them that their husbands were with her as she exchanged vows with Chris. 
Many, many congratulations, Ashley Ann + Chris. It was such a joy to work with you and your friends and family on your big day!
Credits:
Photography: Jennifer McMenamin Photography, LLC
Ceremony: Timonium United Methodist Church
Officiant: The Rev. Bruce Stanley of the Methodist Home for Children
in Raleigh, N.C.
Ceremony musicians: Stephen Holme
Reception: The Evergreen Museum & Carriage House
Catering: Linwoods
Event coordinator: On my Final Details questionnaire, Ashley Ann listed her mother as the event planner & coordinator and her mother’s web site as “the bomb dot com”
Lighting designers: Event Dynamics
Rentals: Gala Cloths
Bridal attire: Enzoani gown from Betsy Robinson’s Bridal Collection
Hair & Make-up: Airbrush Make-up by Ariel
Bridesmaids’ attire: Bill Levkoff dresses from Betsy Robinson’s Bridal Collection
Groom’s attire: Tuxedo House
Florist: Wicked Willow
Band: Hero Entertainment
Transportation: A Touch of Class Limousines
Invitations & Placecards: The Pleasure of Your Company
Papergoods: The Paper Shop
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Jennifer McMenamin Photography specializes in emotional, real and artistic-documentary coverage of weddings and lifestyle portraiture in Baltimore, Washington DC and beyond.
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