Royal Sonesta Harbor Court wedding: Jessica + Brian - Jennifer McMenamin Photography

Royal Sonesta Harbor Court wedding: Jessica + Brian
The Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Hotel | Baltimore wedding photographer | Baltimore wedding photography

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Jessica + Brian were married during the state of emergency declared in Baltimore after the death of Freddie Gray in police custody and the subsequent unrest in the city. They had the option of changing their plans — starting their ceremony earlier in the day so that the reception would wrap up before the citywide curfew or even postponing the wedding or moving their entire celebration outside the city, as many couples chose or were forced to do that weekend. But Jessica + Brian decided that they just wanted to get married, just as they had planned. It could not have been more lovely. The couple exchanged vows and rings in a moving ceremony officiated by Brian’s uncle. (Brian’s breaking of the glass to end the ceremony — a Jewish custom that signifies the irrevocability of the couple’s promises to each other — was one of the best I’ve ever seen!) We had gorgeous spring weather for outdoor photos with the wedding party, including a few with a group of Maryland National Guard troops who were patrolling the harbor. All of the DIY projects that Jessica and her mother tackled turned out beautifully. And the newlyweds danced the night away with their closest friends and family. Well past curfew. All without incident. Here are some of my favorites from their wonderful day:

Jessica took on so many wonderful projects for the wedding, from these darling paper flowers that she affixed to gifts for her bridesmaids to table cards made of photos from our fun engagement portrait session last summer.

Jello shots — in flavors that matched the color scheme of the wedding!

Brian’s niece Zoe served as flower girl and could not have been more darling. You’ll see lots of photos of her sassy little self!

Jess and her mother, Barbara, arranged all the flowers for the wedding themselves. They were, of course, purple and white.

Meanwhile, in a room downstairs, Brian and his buddies were getting themselves ready with bourbon, fancy purple ties and socks and news coverage of the demonstrations going on nearby at City Hall.

Then, it was time for Jessica to step into her lovely gown.

Jess carried her love of chevron even to her fingernails. The bride, looking absolutely lovely.Zoe and her brother, Liam, the ring bearer, were little hams in front of the camera. A quick portrait of Jess alone in the garden.

And then it was time to get married!

The Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Hotel recently underwent a complete renovation and all the rooms — from guest suites to the event spaces and lobby — are beautiful.

The best man holds tight to the rings. One of my most favorite aspects of my job is capturing wonderful little expressions like this. I always hope that my clients remember just how they were feeling and what prompted such wonderful laughter and happiness in a particular moment. Here comes that previously mentioned breaking — stomping, really! — of the glass.Married! After a few quick family photos, Jess + Brian and their wedding party headed outside to the harbor for some photos.

Jess + Brian live in Federal Hill, so close to the Harbor Court that they can actually see the hotel from their back window. So it was important to them to have some photos taken just across the street near the Inner Harbor, because to them, it’s more like their backyard than the city’s biggest tourist attraction. We were graced with some gorgeous late-afternoon light and some beautifully blooming gardens for photos.

At times, the afternoon seemed like any other spring day in Charm City. At other times, there were very clear signs that it was not business as usual in the city.

After posing for a few photos with the Maryland National Guard troops patrolling the harbor area, Jess + Brian shook the hand of every single soldier to thank them for their service during a difficult time in our city. (After these photos were published in The Baltimore Sun, one reader joked that the couple had quite the unusual wedding party while another commented that the photo of the couple going on with their wedding plans despite the unrest had become one of the iconic images of the week.)

We headed back to the hotel with 15ish minutes left in the couple’s cocktail hour.

A few reception details.

In lieu of a traditional guest book, the outdoorsy travel lovers asked their guests to write a bucket list for them of things to do and adventures to take together.