Four Seasons Baltimore summer wedding: Lindsay + Mark - Jennifer McMenamin Photography

Four Seasons Baltimore summer wedding: Lindsay + Mark
Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore // Baltimore wedding photographer // Baltimore wedding photography

Every e-mail that I received from Lindsay in the year leading up to her and Mark’s wedding was so full of excitement — and exclamation points! She was thrilled to finalize her date and her first choice of venues, the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore. She was excited for engagement photos. And when we had our final details chat just a few days before her wedding, she enthusiastically described her two gorgeous gowns (the second of which was to be a complete surprise to everyone but her mother!), all of the beautiful decor created by her dear Aunt Amy and her hope that her now-indoor ceremony would still look as lovely and summery as the original outdoor vision she had before a heat wave settled over Baltimore that week. It did, indeed! Lindsay + Mark exchanged beautiful vows and rings beneath a chuppah of birch trees, summery florals and eucalyptus. And when things didn’t go quite as planned and the floor-to-ceiling curtains hung in the ballroom inexplicably began to fall in slow motion toward the chuppah and the couple’s guests, they simply rolled with the punches. Groomsmen and several family members jumped up to steady the support beams until Four Seasons staff could get there and the cantor made an apt observation that the bride perhaps wouldn’t have any trouble draining the first glass of wine after the excitement of the processional. She also observed that in all the commotion, the chuppah — the Jewish wedding canopy meant to symbolize the home the newlyweds will create together in marriage — did not waver. The rest of the evening was full of sparkle and mini milkshakes and photobooth cutouts of the couple’s dogs and oh so much fun! Here are many of my favorite photographs from Lindsay + Mark’s beautiful Four Seasons Baltimore summer wedding.

I started with the bride, her friends and the moms as they prepped and primped for the day’s events. Meanwhile, my assistant photographer Melika photographed Mark and the groomsmen as they got ready. Soon, it was time for Lindsay to step into the first of her two beautiful wedding gowns. The bride, looking absolutely lovely.Just moments before Lindsay and Mark were to see each other for the first time that day and with Mark already tucked away in his hiding spot, a vicious storm whipped up out of nowhere. The trees were blowing sideways and rain started to fall. We quickly went to a backup plan — a nearby hallway with greenery visible through the expansive windows.

Lindsay’s gown was great for twirling. And the Four Season’s grand staircase is *always* good for photos. Womaning the show for the day was Alexis of Charlotte Jarrett Events. She was never without her master binder — or a big smile — and she happily stood in as a test subject for lighting purposes. Hiii, Alexis! A few ceremony details. The ketubah ceremony — when the couple and their witnesses sign the Jewish marriage contract — included a lovely element when the cantor went around the room for all the assembled family and friends to make a wish over the couple’s wedding rings. And then it was time for the wedding ceremony. After curtains and their supports were stabilized for good, the ceremony proceeded beautifully and joyfully. Married! After a quick snack, the newlyweds and I dashed outside for portraits to make the most Mother Nature’s little window without rain or wind. Even with mostly overcast skies, we found a few glimmers of sunset and a few pockets of pretty light.

A few reception details. A grand entrance. A first dance. A quartet of toasts. And lots and lots of fun and frivolity. My favorite part of this photo is tucked into the far left corner of the frame. When the deejay summoned all the single ladies to the dance floor for Lindsay’s bouquet toss, the bride’s bubbe pushed her walker right out there and stood with the others. It was marvelous! Many, many congratulations, Lindsay + Mark. It was a joy working with you over the last year and at your Four Seasons Baltimore summer wedding!