Chad and Andrea’s Irvine Nature Center Wedding

June 27, 2012

On June 16th, Chad and Andrea said their vows in front of their closest friends and family in Owings Mills, MD at the Irvine Nature Center. It was a gorgeous day with perfect weather to celebrate the love and future of an adorable couple who couldn’t be more fun!

Thanks to Lee Morton from LMCreate for helping me out during the day! His images are sprinkled throughout the post as well :)

The big day started at the Irvine Nature Center in their Visitor’s Center where Chad and Andrea shared a very sweet first look.

We then got a few shots in front of the visitor’s center with the awesome corrugated metal wall as the backdrop. Andrea had pointed this out on our scouting trip as a place she’d like to take photos and I love how these turned out.
We went off to the meadow overlook to get some family photos and then got a little more time with the bride and groom. The below image is a great example as to why it’s great to have a second shooter! Lee was able to capture that great shot of the groom while I was focusing on the bride.
Check out Chad looking all GQ! :P I love their flowers, all flowers from the day are courtesy of Radebaugh!
Andrea’s bridesmaids all had their choice of navy dresses and then provided the scarf. I love the mis-matched yet coordinated look!

Then it was time for the ceremony! The Irvine Nature center has this big open Amphitheater which was a great location for a ceremony! I just love the look of this place! The two below photos of the set up are courtesy of my awesome assistant for the day. And of course I took the photo of the bee, we all know how much I love photographing insects close up ;) Speaking of bees, Andrea got stung by one on her wedding day!! That story to come below…Another great reason to have a second shooter at your wedding, I was able to get this beautiful shot of Andrea walking down the aisle while Lee focused on Chad’s reaction.

Woohoo!! Now that they were MARRIED we got some fun shots in the “outdoor classroom” area at Irvine with the bridal party and the new Mr. & Mrs. Chad West!
How gorgeous is this group?
Of course when I saw the stumps I needed to pose the bridal party there and directed them to “look like you’re about to lose your balance and fall!” After that ridiculousness (thank you all for humoring me!!!) we got a few more with the bride and groom before heading back to the reception! The reception was also at the Irvine Nature Center in their tented area right next to the visitor’s center and Amphitheater. I just love this site, it has everything and it is so conveniently laid out! The tent was decorated with their wedding colors and more beautiful flowers from Radebaugh. The place settings included biodegradable utensils which are so fitting for a wedding at a nature center! Then it was time for the bride and groom to have their first dance, to Drunkard’s Prayer by Over the Rhine which is absolutely beautiful, despite what you may think by the title of the song. Look it up, you’ll see, it’s a great choice for a first dance.Their cake was courtesy of a family friend. I was so impressed when I saw it having known that fun fact! It’s gorgeous!
During the dinner hour, Andrea and Chad snuck away with me to the meadow for a few final photos of the two of them. It was during this time that Andrea got a bee in her shoe and got stung! She was totally calm about it and just said “umm, can someone please get the bee out of my foot?” Haha! Lee goes “Oh my gosh, of course” and did it for her. So not only was he photography assistant/second shooter extraordinaire, but he was also bee wrangler. LOL!

When I posted the sneak peek of the meadow photos on Facebook, Andrea commented saying that these were totally worth “taking one” for the meadow photos. I’m so glad you think so!
After about 15 minutes of time away from the party we went back and it was PARTY TIME!!!Chad and Andrea, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your big day. You guys are so much fun and you were the perfect couple for my *first* solo wedding. I wish you both a future of happiness and health!