A Camp Chapel United Methodist Church & Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore wedding: Colleen + DJ - Jennifer McMenamin Photography

A Camp Chapel United Methodist Church & Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore wedding: Colleen + DJ
Camp Chapel United Methodist Church | The Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore | Baltimore wedding photographer | Baltimore wedding photography

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Colleen + DJ found each other in New York City through a bonafide, real-life matchmaker. And while lots of matchmakers apparently charge only men for their services, letting women join their ranks for free, Colleen wouldn’t hire anyone unless they charged women and men equally. That’s just the kind of awesome, high-powered executive gal that she is. After working so hard to find each other, Colleen + DJ could not have been more thrilled to be tying the knot. “This is really not about the wedding,” she told me the first time we met. “It’s about starting our marriage and our lives together. We just want a really great party for our friends.” Mission accomplished. The couple started the day with a beautifully touching ceremony in the church in which Colleen grew up and where her parents exchanged their own wedding vows 48 years earlier. Afterward, they took a bouquet of flowers to the grave stone of Colleen’s sister, who passed away when the bride was in college. “It’s the only way I can think of to get a picture on my wedding day with Kirsten,” she explained. They then moved to the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, where cocktail hour featured Indian street food and the soundtrack for dinner highlighted New York-themed songs in honor of the city where they met and fell in love. Afterward, the dramatically draped lounge and dance floor were unveiled, revealing custom bars made just for the occasion and lots of cozy seating “so that people are happy and comfortable,” as the bride put it. Despite the rain and gloomy skies and brief burst of snow showers, it could not have been a more magnificent day. Here are some of my favorites from the start of Colleen + DJ’s marriage:

DJ’s niece Tara helped Colleen with her bracelet and shoes.

The bride, looking absolutely lovely.

Colleen + DJ chose to see each other at the Four Seasons before the ceremony for photos. These two have such an easy, happy and comfortable way with each other.

I love this next series of portraits.

A few details of the very dapper groom.

And then it was time to head to the Camp Chapel United Methodist Church.

My longtime former assistant, Lucas, came out of retirement to help me at this wedding. He shot this next image from the back of the aisle before heading up to the choir loft for the duration of the ceremony. There, he shot all the lovely overhead images that are coming up.

There’s almost nothing I love more about my job than looking for and catching meaningful moments, telling looks and great expressions. Colleen + DJ had lots of them!

Married!

After a few quick family photos, we replicated Colleen’s favorite portrait from her parents’ wedding album. I snapped a photo of the album page (pictured right, below) with my iPhone to be sure that we got it just right.

After a few quick pictures outside the church — including one that showed off Colleen’s pockets, a favorite feature of her wedding gown! — we were off to the Four Seasons.

Upon seeing their finished reception room for the first time, Colleen + DJ were quite obviously thrilled with the efforts of event planner extraordinaire Lee Kendall from Elizabeth Bailey Weddings and their vendor team.

A few toasts.

The mixologist with the mostest!

Colleen’s bouquet was a work of art, from the ribbon work to the roses themselves.

A first dance.

A father-daughter dance.

And lots of fun and frivolity!

Many, many congratulations to Colleen + DJ! I could not have enjoyed our time together any more, from our first meeting and engagement session in Manhattan to the very last dance I photographed at your wedding.

Credits:

Photography: Jennifer McMenamin Photography, LLC

Ceremony: Camp Chapel United Methodist Church

Officiant: The Rev. Roderick Miller

Ceremony musicians: Organist Gary Lushbaugh

Reception & Catering: The Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore

Event coordinator: Elizabeth Bailey Weddings

Draping & custom bars: Event Pro

Rentals: Table Toppers, Gala Cloths, Party Rental Ltd. and AFR Rentals

Bridal attire: Modern Trousseau from the Modern Trousseau flagship store in NYC

Hair & Make-up: Lesley Mahla

Hair: Haute Blow Dry Bar