An Eastern Shore wedding was an obvious choice for Jackie and Ari’s wedding celebration. Since Jackie has been visiting Maryland with her family for years the shore is full of happy memories. Fast forward past a Bumble swipe and a waterfront proposal in NYC, it was time for Jackie and Ari to pick a wedding venue. Considering the couple knew they wanted a spot where their guests could all be together, relax, and enjoy a weekend away. Enter The Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay, Golf, Resort, Spa and Marina.

Ultimately this gorgeous property gave the couple everything they wanted in a wedding weekend. Taking into account it’s a quick escape for their friends and family. Also, the place included a waterfront ceremony and a gorgeous ballroom. No rain plan worries here! After a waterfront ceremony under a modern wooden chuppah the celebration moved indoors for dinner and dancing. Jackie and Ari worked with wedding planner Leslie of Elizabeth Bailey Weddings. And for florist Jeff of Blue Vanda Designs. Both teams worked to bring the outdoors in to the Hyatt’s ballroom.

The Details

All things considered, Jackie envisioned a “California chic vibe”. With decor that was “natural, lush, organic, effortless, and feminine.” The way Leslie and Jeff achieved this look is with a mix of different sized tables and centerpieces. Additionally, including a tree centerpiece made of privet and Camilla leaf branches growing out of the table. Additionally, the head table has a runner of greenery, rocks, succulents, moss, and terrariums. Also, place cards were names calligraphed on magnolia leaves.

Ultimately the celebration was the perfect day. As the ceremony was outdoors and the reception was in the ballroom. Despite rain earlier in the day. After all, this is the biggest fear one has when planning an Eastern Shore wedding.

Finally, the celebration was rounded out with a few quintessential Eastern shore wedding details. Nothing says Maryland more than a crab cake entree and Smith Island Cake wedding cake. The state cake of Maryland. Top it all off with a little confetti!

In conclusion, see more of Jackie and Ari’s celebration in Modern Luxury Weddings Washington DC.

Eastern Shore Vendor Team:

Venue: Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina
Wedding Planner: Leslie McKenzie of Elizabeth Bailey Weddings
Bride’s Gown: Matthew Christopher
Alterations: Zoya’s Atelier
Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Bride’s Hair & Makeup: Becky Watson, Oxygen Salon
Groom’s Tux: MySuit
Groom’s Shoes: Gordon Rush
Rings: Stuart Krell, F. Silverman Jewelry
Florals: Blue Vanda Designs
Cake: Smith Island Cakes by Angie Pendry
Invitations: Ruby The Fox
Calligraphy: Miya of Layers of Loveliness
Reception Tables: Syzygy Event Productions
Rentals: White Glove Rentals, Select Event Rentals and Table Toppers
Lighting: EventPro
Entertainment: SoundConnection from Andy Kushner Entertainment
Videographer: Ryan Geldermann Cinematography

Fashion Photographer Kolkata

Around town, another shoot with creative direction and styling by Bridelan. Bridelan and I both have roots in Kolkata and a strong fondness for the city. My parents were born and raised in the city, although their stories imply that it was a very different place. I still remember going to visit my relatives and taking these yellow ambassador cabs everywhere.

The first few steps from the train station were always in a yellow ambassador cab going across the bridge from the train station to the downtown of the city. Which is why the Howrah bridge as an iconic symbol of Kolkata so we has to be featured in the background of this fashion shoot around town.

Poised on the banks of the Hoogly river our model imitated the structure of the triangulated bridge. The colors in her jewels and her golden Lehenga by Raw Mango are a nod to the fact that the bridge is one of the jewels of the state and region.

I loved being a fashion Photographer in Kolkata for this particular shoot. It was one of the hardest logistical photo shoots that we had planned. However, I loved planning and executing a photoshoot in my hometown.

Fashion Shoot Vendor Team

Fashion & Wardrobe Stylist: Nisha Kundani, Bridelan Makeup: Bhavani Kumar Jewelry: RaniWalla Jewelers Wardrobe Designer: Raw Mango Model: Helloise Cunha, Inega Models

A Muslim wedding bride is one the most beautiful brides I’ve ever seen. In India there is such a beautiful mix of cultures and religions. This mix of cultures is what has made the country a wonderful hub of art and artistry. Growing up I remember learning a lot about Mughal art, architecture, music and history since it was such a large part of Indian history. Which is why we had to create at least one look showing off the quintessential Muslim wedding bride. 

The Backstory

I met the amazing fashion stylist, Bridelan India, on Instagram a few years ago. And that meeting has been such a bright spot in my photography career. We have become friends through Instagram, all while being halfway across the world. It had finally come time to do a styled shoot together in India, and I immediately thought of my birthplace of Calcutta (Kolkata) India. It turns out that Nisha from Bridelan also has huge family connections to Kolkata, so it was meant to be. This whole adventure was so much fun and I’ll always remember these shoots.

While the majority of the aforementioned shoot consisted of traditional Bengali wedding style (coming soon), we couldn’t help but pull together a Muslim bride fashion look to highlight the Islamic culture that is prevalent in so many neighborhoods in Calcutta.

When looking for the right venue for this photoshoot, we had some trouble. Fortunately Nisha from Bridelan has a very close friend in the city. Their home provided the perfect backdrop for this photoshoot. And also, it was so special to spend time with another local Kolkata family. 

Muslim Bride Styled Shoot Vendors:

Fashion & Wardrobe Stylist: Nisha Kundani, Bridelan Makeup: Bhavani KumarJewelry: RaniWalla Jewelers Banarasi Sari & Separates: Ekaya Banaras Model: Helloise Cunha, Inega Models 

DC Engagement Shoot Vendor Team

Nicole and Matt were recently engaged (you can read their whole engagement story here) and knew they wanted DC engagement photos but were open to styling ideas. A photographer and stylists’ dream! We got to run with our creative juices! The process started with a moodboard I created on Pinterest of the look and feel to set the tone for the shoot.  

I knew we wanted to lean into Washington DC and the classical architecture reminiscent of old Europe – enter Union Station in DC. Union Station provided the perfect old world feel and backdrop to allow for other details to pop. When in Europe this past summer I remember images of puffy pink peonies wrapped in brown paper. Sophie Felts created the perfect bright cheery and puffy bouquet all wrapped in kraft paper just like I had seen in Milan.  

The shoot glam team came together with a classic, romantic and edgy look for Nicole and Matt’s ensembles. Nicole wore a gorgeous black lace dress selected by Naina and perfectly complimenting Matt’s dapper suit. Kevan and Jewel brought the whole look together with a fashionable ponytail and makeup that enhanced Nicole’s natural beauty. Finally, add in a scooter to the mix and you’re instantly transported to Italy!

Photography: Bonnie Sen Photography Wardrobe Stylist: Naina Singla Florist: Sophie Felts Hairstylist: Jewel Hair Design Makeup Artist: Makeup by Kevan

Where do we even begin to describe this gorgeous Fairmont DC wedding? You may remember Vanessa and Michael’s springtime engagement shoot posted a few weeks ago. Today we are back with their jaw-dropping wedding. If you couldn’t tell from their engagement attire, Vanessa’s style is incomparable! For the wedding day her taste, guts to be a little different and a dream team of vendors led by Laura of Grit & Grace combined to form pure perfection.

Florentine Spring Design

The wedding design was inspired by the Italian paper company Rossi. Rossi makes colorful prints that are classic, elegant and fun. Vanessa and Laura selected one specific print to serve as the inspiration for the rest of the wedding. This pattern featured blue, red, black and gold. The planning duo named the resulting design Florentine Spring. And I can’t think of a better way to describe the wedding day!

Vanessa and Laura carried the Florentine Spring feel throughout the whole wedding. This started with invitations from Haute Papier. The classic and ornate invites featured a Rossi paper, white calligraphy and Oscar de la Renta stamps. The stamps not only a gorgeous detail but also a nod to the bride’s dress. On to the wedding day Grit & Grace and Amaryllis designed an amazing La Dolce Vita escort card display with custom labeled San Pellegrino juice bottles.

There were too many beautiful and thoughtful details on the wedding day to mention but they all revolved around the Rossi paper colors. The soles of Vanessa’s shoes, poppies in her bouquet and glassware on the tables provided the perfect red. The mother of the bride’s dress, a denim linen and navy velvet drape throughout the ballroom pulled the hint of blue. Vanessa selected napkin rings and golden urns for the ceremony for the metallic accent. And finally black played a major role in the day of look from the black Louis chairs, custom black head table all the way to the monogrammed dancefloor.

The celebration wrapped up in the Fairmont DC ballroom with even more Italian details. A limoncello and prosecco specialty cocktail and pasta vegetarian entree. The icing on the cake was the Buttercream Bakeshop 4 tier wedding cake sitting atop a cake stand wrapped in Rossi paper. Truly La Dolce Vita!

Fairmont DC Wedding Vendors:

Venue, Catering and Cake The Fairmont Hotel | Wedding Grit & Grace | Decor Amaryllis Floral and Event Design | Officiant With This Ring I Thee Wed | Wedding Dress Designer Oscar de la Renta | Wedding Dress Salon Carine’s Bridal Atelier |Veil Lela Rose purchased at Elizabeth Johns Salon | Wedding Shoes Garter The Garter Girl |Bride’s Earrings Neiman Marcus | Bridal Clutch Sarah’s Bag | Hair and Makeup Hair & Makeup by Claudine | Bridesmaid Dresses Jenny Yoo | Groom’s Menswear Suitsupply | Groom’s Shoes Salvatore Ferragamo | Invitations and Menus Haute Papier | Invitation Calligraphy and Grapefruit Table Numbers Calligraphy Laura Hooper Calligraphy | Custom Labels for Escort Cards Paper Daisies Stationery | Custom Linen Napkins Bella Lino | Rentals DC Rental and White Glove Rentals | Music Entertainment Exchange | Favors Matchboxes For Your Party