Katie + Jim | American Visionary Art Museum Wedding

I’ve been struggling to begin this blog post. I know this should be about Katie and Jim, and it will be, but first I need to talk about Katie and me. Our first message was in 2012. She had messaged me about photographing her boyfriend’s homecoming from deployment in Virginia. Jim ended up coming home early as a surprise so it didn’t end up working out. Of course, I was happy for her because that meant he was home sooner! Most people would have just fallen off the grid at that point…. but not Katie. She was still liking and commenting on my work on Facebook, and when Jim proposed in February of 2013 before his deployment, we started talking about her wedding even before there was a date or venue. We chatted over Skype and instantly I loved her. I was so excited to work with such an awesome bride and I was looking forward to their wedding. At one point early on, Katie said that we would be BFFs. At the time, I had no idea how right she’d be. Over the last year and a half talking to Katie has become almost a daily thing, and she quickly became one of my favorite people in the world. She’s a beautiful and genuinely kind person, and I’m sad we didn’t meet years before when she lived in Maryland full time. Katie’s wedding day was incredibly emotional for me, and I loved being able to be there when she married the love of her life.

Katie and Jim have a special kind of love. Even when you meet them for the first time, you know instantly that they have what it takes to last forever. Katie has said to me before that to be a military spouse, you need to be head over heels in love, and these two are absolutely 100% head over heels in love. The mutual respect they have for each other, the love they have for each other, the way they are constantly laughing and having fun… their relationship is enviable and what all couples should aspire to. Jim and Katie’s wedding day may not have gone off without a hitch (there may have been a ripped dress and broken shoes) but it was perfect in its own way. There was so much love and so much laughter, that there’s no way to look back on their day–flaws and all–and think anything but that it was perfect.

I had a blast working with an incredible group of vendors for their wedding day – big thanks as always to my amazing second shooter Jen for being the other half of my brain, and to my buddy Lee from Clickspark for being the best collaborative partner I could ask for, I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Katie and Jim got ready at the Hampton Inn in Baltimore. Since the hotel was across the street from Camden yards, they had some fun baseball themed art on the walls in the hotel lobby. I love this spot that Lee and I found to hang up Katie’s dress. The fence and boldly colored walls are such a fun backdrop! Katie’s invitations and other stationery was all designed by the incredibly talented Sameeha of The Inked Leaf.  Katie and Jim’s wedding theme was “All Roads Lead to Love” and I love all of the details to fit the theme! Such a gorgeous group of girls! I can’t wait to work with Meghan, Katie’s best friend and Maid of Honor this September for her wedding and hang out with some of these ladies again! Before getting started for the day, Katie knew the best way to calm her nerves would be to pray with her girls.  Katie and Jim exchanged gifts before they saw each other. Jim’s gift for Katie included a beautiful necklace and pair of earrings from Blue Nile. Jim’s gift was a new watch. I love that they both chose to wear their gifts for the wedding.  After they were done getting ready, it was time for the first look at Camden Yards.    After their super sweet first look, we got some gorgeous photos of the group at Camden Yards! I love how all of these turned out.  Katie and Katie are workout buddies. I love this shot. I also love how when “Sexy and I know it” came on at the reception, they both flexed, showing off their guns ;) While we were taking photos at Camden Yards, the tourists decided that they needed some photos too. And then it was off to Federal hill on the bus! SUCH a beautiful day and a gorgeous bridal party!  LOVEEE  Katie’s veil kept blowing in the wind. With a little help from her Maid of Honor, we got this incredible shot! We did it again later too ;)  Katie made such a stunning bride. Too beautiful! A first peek at their “All Roads Lead to Love” theme, I love these distance signs on either side of the aisle at the wedding. Even though Jim had seen Katie before the ceremony, he still was emotional when he saw his beautiful bride walk down the aisle.  I might have cried too.   After the ceremony we took some time for photos of the happy couple around AVAM.  LOVE how this one turned out with the veil. Inside the American Visionary Art Museum were so many gorgeous and fun places to take photos! Katie wanted to start by the elephant since they’re her favorite! Since the LOVE balloon was a part of their Save the Dates, I had to focus on it for some portraits as well.
After we finished the photos downstairs Katie told me that there was a spot in the hall on the second floor where she noticed amazing light, and she knew I’d love it. She knows me too well. And has a damn good eye for light. I love how the JRVC room was set up for their reception. The cafe lights and color scheme made it look beautiful in a way that was perfectly Jim and Katie.  I LOVE that their guestbook was a copy of “Oh, the places you’ll go!” by Dr. Seuss – also perfectly fitting of their theme. Katie and Jim entered their reception to a sword arch, a tradition in the Navy.   At the end of the last set, the head usher is supposed to lightly tap the bride’s behind with the saber and welcome her into the Navy. I think Jim’s brother was a little too excited about his job.  Their first dance was to Journey’s Faithfully. And of course I bawled like a crazy person. Cell phones were lit for the dance. Because… obviously. To kick off the evening, Katie’s beautiful momma Jane gave a beautiful welcome speech… …followed by another great heart warming speech from Jim’s dad, Jim. Jim’s best man and brother Bryce gave a pretty hilarious speech. Meghan’s speech (like many moments that day) made me cry and was super touching. After the speeches, when the dinner service started, a surprise slideshow put together by Jane, Cindy (the moms) and Aunt Mickey played, and more tears flowed. It was a beautiful summation of this wonderful couple’s journey to this day. Katie then surprised her mom with a Mother-Daughter dance.  And Jim danced with his beautiful momma too. Pixilated Photobooth was in the house, bringing the fun!
Their friends and family filled the dance floor from the first song through the very last.
And to end an incredibly lengthy post, a few night shots and a sparkler exit!
Katie and Jim, I love you guys and I couldn’t be more happy for you! I can’t wait to watch your lives unfold as husband and wife and continue to watch you bring each other joy over the years. I’m so happy that we’ve become friends over the last two-ish years and I can’t wait to come visit your new home in Nevada this winter!

LOVE YOU!
Brea

Vendors
Venue: American Visionary Art Museum
Photography: Photography by Brea
Second Photographer: Jennifer Smutek
Cinematography: Clickspark
Photobooth: Pixilated Photobooth
DJ: Music Masters
Stationery: The Inked Leaf
Hotel: Hampton Inn Baltimore
Officiant: The Bride’s Uncle- Andrew Church
Day of Coordinator: Sheila’s Weddings and Events
Caterer: Sascha’s Catering
Dress: Maggie Sottero from Juliet’s Bridal Salon
Rentals: weparty.com
Florist: Scentsational Florals
Transportation: American Limousine
Slideshow: Photos provided by Jane and Cindy, compiled and edited by Auntie Mickey.