Irvine Nature Center Same-Sex Wedding | Owings Mills, Maryland

July 26, 2013 Irvine Nature Center Same-Sex Wedding | Owings Mills, Maryland

I met with an amazing couple on New Year’s Eve 2012. We bonded over talk of their unique plans for their nature center wedding, and talk of politics. Normally discussing political beliefs with clients (prospective clients, no less!) would be a big no-no, but I knew we would agree. These two had decided to get married after nine years of being together because it was finally legal. We talked about the emotion of the election and how the anticipation of the outcome of Question 6 was as intense as (if not more than) the anticipation of who would or would not be elected president. I loved their story, I loved their personalities, and I loved that they loved me back.

Earlier this year we did their engagement session in Washington DC walking around the monuments. We had a blast talking about everything and anything and I loved learning more about them. While we were walking through the area, I had to stop and get a photo of this:

This quote is amazingly powerful on its own, but reading it while walking the city with two beautiful and strong women who finally have the right to be legally wed as much as anyone else, it was all I could do to fight back my tears.

On July 6th, these two amazing people committed to love and respect each other for the rest of their lives in an amazingly emotional ceremony surrounded by the most supportive and loving community of friends and family I’ve ever seen. The brides have requested that I don’t share any photos with their faces or use their names, and I absolutely respect their privacy. However, they have allowed me to share the story of their incredible day and a little snapshot into how it all unfolded.

I was excited to return to the Irvine Nature Center, the site of my first wedding as a primary photographer. Also for old time’s sake and good measure, I brought along the talented Lee Morton of Clickspark Films as my second shooter, as he was my second shooter the last time I was here and did an amazing job. One thing about Lee is that in addition to his talent, he also has an immeasurable amount of enthusiasm and it was so fun having him along on such a special day! His photos are included throughout the post.

One of the brides handmade both of their bouquets. They were so beautifully done!

I love how incredibly different their rings are. Both beautiful, and yet very different. Much like the ladies that these rings belong to.

Instead of traditional white wedding gowns, they opted to go with color and get matched bridesmaids gowns from David’s Bridal. The colors were beautiful and helped to lend to a gorgeous vibrant color scheme.

The ceremony set up was truly unique and beautiful. Typically at the Irvine Nature Center, weddings take place in one of two places, at the amphitheater (grassy area) near the nature center itself or in the woods by the gazebo. Instead the brides wanted to get married in the meadow surrounded by their friends and family standing in a semi-circle. They hand made these beautiful paper heart garlands to create an “aisle” for their parents to escort them down.

Both brides were escorted down the aisle by both their mother and father, with friends and family from all over the world in attendance.

Before they were walked down the aisle, one of the brides’ nephew came through bearing this adorable sign!

One of my favorite parts of their ceremony was that they had so many readings done by so many groups of different people. You never quite knew where the next line was coming from and it really contributed to the sense of community.

The reception set up was beautiful and vibrant and the meal was served family style. At each place setting there was a card with the quote “Sharing food with another human being is an intimate act and should not be indulged in lightly.” (-Mary Fisher)

Each section of the tables was labeled with a sign that had an inside joke of sorts for the grouping that would be seated there…

…some were very easy to figure out… “DC? In July? Outside? Really!?!” I laughed when I saw this one (while completely drenched in sweat no less)

…and others required some back story.

The seating chart had everyone’s names listed in alphabetical order with strings leading from their name to their spot!

I love that the night before the wedding not only did the brides both get henna, but they got matching henna that lined up to form a heart.

The reception was an absolute blast with some of the best and most enthusiastic dancing I’ve ever seen… and not just from the friends but from the family as well. There are some amazing shots of one of the brides’ fathers dancing with the other bride’s mother! There was a photobooth, delicious dessert and a campfire for toasting marshmallows and making s’mores. It was such a blast and everyone (including myself!) was sad when it was over.

All in all, it was an amazing experience, a beautiful day to celebrate a deserving couple, and a wedding I will never forget.

Vendors
Venue: Irvine Nature Center
Coordinator: Michele Famiglietti – The Wedding Closer
Photography: Photography by Brea
Caterer: Versatile Foods
Florist: The Brides!
Wedding Dresses: David’s Bridal

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