Julia + Ryan, a Travel Wedding at the Great Room at Historic Savage Mill

Brooke Tyson Photography

I am SO excited to share Julia and Ryan’s wedding!! Julia and Ryan shared their wedding vows on May 11 at St. Louis Catholic Church in Clarksville, MD, and then celebrated with family and friends at the beautiful Great Room at Historic Savage Mill with a fun travel themed reception.

Julia got ready for her wedding at her parents’ beautiful home alongside her family and bridal party (and Baxter, the cutest little tuxedo-wearing pup!). Julia’s parents’ home is absolutely stunning and the light was perfect; just wait until you see her pretty getting ready pictures! Meanwhile, Ryan got ready in Columbia at a hotel, and then he and his groomsmen headed to St. Louis church for some fun portraits together. My sister and second shooter, Kelsey, always takes all of the groomsmen pictures, and I literally burst out laughing when I saw an adorable shot they requested on the playground. This is a fun group of guys! Kelsey and I just LOVED Julia and Ryan’s wedding party; everyone was SO sweet and so, so happy for Julia and Ryan. Instead of enjoying the cocktail hour, Julia and Ryan’s wonderful group of friends waited with them while we did portraits so that they could all celebrate together. Isn’t that so nice? Kelsey and I loved getting to know this group! And it is no surprise that they are so sweet; Julia and Ryan are such a kind couple. The first time I met them, I felt like we could talk for hours; they are so kind, easy-going, and fun to be around. They are just such nice people! Plus, I feel like I have known these two forever! I first met them over a year ago when they came to our new home right after we moved in, and then I saw them at Christi and Nik’s wedding last summer (Julia’s mother and Christi’s mother have been friends for many years!), and then we got to hang out during their engagement session and again this spring. I am so sad their wedding is over because that means all of our fun get togethers are too! My husband, Justin, of Last Avalon Films, filmed Julia and Ryan’s wedding, so it was the dream team on May 11 – Kelsey, Justin, and Brooke – and we just loved celebrating with these two and their family and friends!

Julia and Ryan love to travel; in fact, these two got engaged at the Grand Canyon! (You just have to see their photos – WOW!). They shared their love of travel with their guests at their travel wedding reception. There were postcards from all over that guests who sign as the guestbook, adorable travel suitcase favors, lanterns with the names of some of the places these two have traveled, and cute vintage suitcases decorating the Great Room. And on top of the fun travel decor, these two have a glow stick bar! This was SO much fun!! I think every single guest had some sort of glow ring, bracelet, necklace, headband, or belt on – plus neon sunglasses! It was so much fun! (I even wore a glow necklace for the last half hour! It was so fun – I just love this idea for a wedding!). Their love of travel carried through to their honeymoon; Julia and Ryan just returned from an INCREDIBLE honeymoon in Bora Bora – they stayed in an over the water bungalow! (Their photos were AMAZING!).

Julia and Ryan dated for six years, and these two are so excited to be married! Julia’s mother mentioned that she and Julia’s father dated for just about the same length of time: five years :) It has been such a joy getting to know these two and celebrating their best day ever with them. Their wedding day was absolutely perfect, from the beautiful weather and gorgeous light (just wait until you see their portraits!) to their fun reception at the Great Room, and it has been such an honor to be part of their celebration. Congratulations, Julia and Ryan! We are so happy for you two!!