Belvedere wedding: Maida + Tommy - Jennifer McMenamin Photography

Belvedere wedding: Maida + Tommy
The Historic Belvedere Hotel || Baltimore wedding photographer || Baltimore wedding photography

I thoroughly enjoy when couples personalize their wedding ceremonies — the vows, the readings, the music, the programs, the stories the officiant shares about each of them individually and about them as a couple. The more personal, the better, in my book. For me, the reasoning is twofold. First, I love capturing real moments and authentic emotion for my clients more than anything. Little looks, sweet glances, a tear or two, big, hearty laughter. All of it. Those responses inevitably occur more often when a ceremony is more personal. (That’s also why toasts are one of my other most-favorite parts of a wedding day.) The other reason that I love personal ceremonies, however, is more selfish: I’m a big sap and I love hearing about my clients’ love stories. Though Maida + Tommy shared with me how they met as we discussed their plans for their Belvedere wedding, I still found myself smiling my face off as I listened to their vows and the stories that Rabbi Douglas Heifetz shared about them. For example, their interest in each other developed through regular attendance at at study group that met in room 823 of their law school. So when Tommy decided he was ready to propose, he did so on August 23. 823. What a delightful way to recognize the origin of their relationship! Maida + Tommy’s wedding day was full of these meaningful and thoughtful touches. They used law texts as centerpieces to represent the University of Baltimore Law School where they met and fell in love. They chose to celebrate with an afternoon wedding so they could share their love of brunch with their guests during cocktail hour. And to include their beloved pup Loki in their big day, they ordered a custom cake topper with the fluffy canine and a pair of briefcase-toting lawyers. I also loved how Maida + Tommy incorporated Jewish customs into their interfaith wedding — but updated them to reflect their beliefs. So Maida + Tommy each circled the other to start the ceremony and they *each* stomped a glass to end it. It was such a joy working with them, their friends and their families for their Belvedere wedding. Here are many, many of my favorites:

Yes, these are Maida’s shoes for the wedding — sparkly Kate Spade Keds for the ceremony and bright turquoise Converse kicks for the reception. They were magnificent.

Meanwhile, Tommy and his groomsmen — all close friends from childhood through college — were just hanging out, fully dressed, waiting for it to be time to go.

This is the ring bearer. He is Tommy’s nephew. He was ADORABLE. You’ll be seeing a lot more of him in this post.

Maida’s mother helps her with a necklace they had made for the occasion with diamonds from her grandmother’s ring.

The bride, looking lovely.

And then it was time to get married. A few ceremony details!

I mean, could he BE any cuter?

I love everything about this next image. It is such a joy and privilege for me to capture moments like this for my clients. I adore that about still photography — that this moment and these expressions and the feelings behind them are frozen in time and preserved for forever.

Married!

After a whole bunch of family and wedding party photos, we headed outside for some quick newlywed portraits. Because it was rather chilly and because Maida + Tommy didn’t want to be away from their guests for long, we ventured all of 1/4 of a block from the Belvedere. And we made a little magic with the elements available to us. I love how they look at each other. I love how they laugh together. And I love the little gestures — a hand on her back, an arm rested on his shoulder — that show how they care for each other. A few reception details.