I am so excited to share Maura and Garrett’s wedding today!!
Maura and Garrett were married on Saturday October 3 at St. Louis Catholic Church in Clarksville, MD. They celebrated with a reception at beautiful Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City following the ceremony.
Like so many couples this year, Maura and Garrett’s original wedding date was postponed. These two originally planned to get married on June 6. But all of the changes worked out so well, and Maura, Garrett, and their families were so flexible. And October 3 was a PERFECT day! During Maura and Garrett’s portraits outside of Turf Valley Resort, we kept commenting how incredible the weather was. It’s hard not to compare a perfect 70 degree day to the 90 degree weather we would have had in June! Haha. October 3 was PERFECT with clear blue skies and 70 degree weather most of the day. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day!
Maura and Garrett began their wedding day at Turf Valley Resort, where they got ready in separate wings of the hotel. I got to photograph Maura’s AMAZING wedding details which included stunning sparkly Louboutin heels and an AMAZING wedding invitation suite (seriously AMAZING). Anytime I receive something from Maura and her mother, I always admire their beautiful stationary, so I shouldn’t have been surprised by Maura and Garrett’s incredible invitation suite. Just wait until you see it!!
I always love the moment when a bride first puts on her wedding gown. At that moment, wearing that dress you spent so much time choosing and then dreaming about, it feels so, so REAL and so, so exciting! As Maura put on her wedding gown, it was clear that this was a special moment. It was her wedding!! I had that same moment on my own wedding day. It is so exciting!! And I loved seeing Maura have that special moment as she put on her STUNNING Peter Langner wedding gown from Gamberdella Bridal. After sharing a special first look with her sweet father and then her bridal party, it was time to head to the church!
Maura and Garrett were married in Maura’s family’s church, Saint Louis Catholic Church in Clarksville, MD. Saint Louis is an absolutely beautiful church, and I have been so fortunate to photograph many weddings here! After the ceremony, we headed over to Turf Valley Resort for portraits. It was such a beautiful, perfect day, and it was so fun spending time with Maura, Garrett, and their wonderful and sweet wedding party, which was almost entirely family :)
And then it was time for the wedding reception! And Maura and Garrett’s reception was STUNNING! The flowers were truly magnificent. It was so beautiful and elegant as soon as everyone walked in. All of Maura and Garrett’s beautiful florals, bouquets, and boutonnieres were created by the incredibly talented team at Petals and Promises, lead by Lisa Sommers. Lisa and her team did the flowers for my wedding, and I have loved working with her over the years at other weddings! Her work is impeccable and she combines colors, shapes, and textures so beautifully. Maura and Garrett’s amazing planner, Alexis, also ensured that the reception space was gorgeous, and she kept everything running so smoothly and efficiently all day.
The wedding reception was not only beautiful but so much fun! Maura’s maid of honor, Paula Joe gave such a beautiful speech. Maura and Paula Joe met at summer camp in Texas as children and have remained close their entire lives (so sweet!). Garrett’s best men, his brother and brother-in-law, Daniel and Mike, also wished the couple well, and then Maura’s father gave a touching speech about his daughter and her new husband. And then the party kicked off and everyone hit the dance floor!
Now that I have a baby, Kelsey and I find other babies SO CUTE! I’ve always thought kids were adorable, but now that I have my own, I feel like I appreciate how unique, sweet, and funny they are so much more. Maura and Garrett included so many adorable children at their wedding, and it was so cute to see them dancing with each other and their parents and having so much fun running around the reception space. I remember going to a wedding as a child and feeling like it was one of the best days ever, and it was so cute to see these kids experiencing that same thing. :)
Maura and Garrett, your wedding was so much fun!! Everything was so beautiful, and it was just such a perfect and stress-free day. You two are so easy-going and kind, and I am so excited to see all of the wonderful things ahead of you two. Congratulations on your marriage!! Enjoy some favorite photos from your best day ever!!
Congratulations, Maura and Garrett!!