Maryland Wedding and Portrait Photographer

Maine Lighthouse Wedding // Cat and Karl

Sarah Culver — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 05:47:17 +0000

I’ve been fortunate enough to call Cat and Karl friends and neighbors for years. They stopped being our neighbors when they bought a rambling farmhouse in Maine and started living their dream. The night before the wedding we stuffed ourselves on Maine lobster. The morning of the wedding friends helped string lanterns, Cat arranged her flowers, and then everyone gathered at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse down the street for the ceremony. Back at the farmhouse wood-fired pizza was made as a bluegrass band played. The weekend was magic. For more photos and a list of the vendors take a look at their feature on Wedding Chicks.

2013 St John’s Croquet

Sarah Culver — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 03:29:50 +0000

Our world was a little bit rocked today when the Naval Academy beat St. John’s at our beloved croquet match. Hats, and dancing and amazing dresses and an all day picnic. For more on croquet check out past years, 2012, and 2011.

Day In The Life // Carroll Family

Sarah Culver — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 14:11:28 +0000

A few from an at home session last fall with a family very dear to me.

Rock Hall Bed and Breakfast Wedding // Nadine and Joe

Sarah Culver — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 20:57:15 +0000

This beautiful day in the Connecticut Berkshires was a highlight of last year’s season. Nadine and Joe’s wedding was full of luxe details while managing to still be completely approachable and comfortable. Rock Hall Bed and Breakfast looks like a medieval estate, which was appropriate since Nadine has, as her friends describe it, a classic Renaissance beauty. The centerpieces on their family style tables, created by Petal Design Studio, made my jaw drop. Eggplant table number holders and fennel in wood baskets? Genius. I also loved their creative invitations from Jen Simpson Designs and Nadine’s unique dress from Stone Fox Bride. Joe owns a restaurant in NYC, so the food was especially important to them. They chose Fire Roasted Catering who roasted a pig on a spit next to the tent all day and ended with apple cobbler baked over the open fire. But what I loved most of all was the warm ease of Nadine and Joe’s relationship and the people around them. I think my favorite photo from the day is the two of them walking back down the aisle, the way Joe has his arm just casually wrapped around Nadine’s shoulder, it’s just so them.
This wedding was also featured on Snippet and Ink, you can go there for more photos and Nadine’s insights and advice for the day.

Annapolis Courthouse Wedding // Melanie and Matthias

Sarah Culver — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 22:14:57 +0000

These two have been together for 18 years and it shows in their ease together. I just loved the sunny wintry hours I got to spend with them, on a weekday, as they were married at the beautiful courthouse in Annapolis. I might be biased because I live here, but I think Annapolis is just about the best place to choose for a courthouse wedding. There is soft window light in the ceremony room, the walls are clean white, there’s hardly ever a wait, and then we step outside around the sleepy historic seaside town of Annapolis for a leisurely portrait session. I feel so privileged when I get to participate in these intimate events. Melanie and Matthias will have a larger wedding in Germany at some point, but they couldn’t wait to get married any longer and I’m so glad because look at them, and this day – it was perfect.

Day In The Life // Anderson Family

Sarah Culver — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:53:02 +0000

As I’ve said before, I believe the best way to get to know a family and show their true dynamic is to spend a few hours with them in their home, doing the things they love to do as a family. The Anderson’s invited me in on a typical Saturday morning, waking up in PJ’s, breakfast, wrestling and a dance party and a neighborhood walk. I’m ashamed to say that these photos are from last year, and we have a whole new session in between this one and now, but that will wait for another day.

Josephine Butler Parks Center Wedding // Alexandra and Mike

Sarah Culver — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:15:15 +0000

I think most couples hope that their wedding is a real reflection of their tastes and personalities, Alex and Mike accomplished this uber successfully. From Alex’s short breezy dress and flats that ensured she was comfortable, to their casual ceremony, walking down the aisle together with their nearest and dearest standing all around them and their fathers performing the ceremony, to the reception at their favorite local BBQ joint, the whole day truly matched their great personal style and the joy of their community. I just loved their wedding.
One of my favorite parts was the Pleasant Pops truck that they invited to come and hand out all-you-can-eat popsicles. They were to die for, and I had more than one sweet cream popsicle. I was so excited to find this fantastic company, which has now set up the cutest shop in DC, and I’m a huge fan of pulling up a food truck for your guests, it was such a treat.
This wedding was also featured on Brooklyn Bride – head over there for more photos!

Maryland Senior Photos // Mariah

Sarah Culver — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:21:38 +0000

This is my dear cuz, Mariah. As I mentioned a few posts ago, every summer or so we gather at our family cottage on Glen Lake in Michigan. It was amazing to be able to take Mariah’s senior photos in a place that is so special to our family story. A few days ahead we played dress-up with all the girls bringing wardrobe contributions, then we set out to explore the shores of Lake Michigan where we hunt petoskeys, the Crystal River we float down in kayaks, the cherry country fields and we ended up right off our own dock with vaguely Moonrise Kingdom inspired canoe shots. Behind the scenes a whole slew of cousins were whistling at Mariah to get those amazing laughs out of her.

And my favorite shot of my adorable brother, Jem, who came along to help with styling.

Montjoy Barn, Howard County Conservancy // Rachel and Daniel

Sarah Culver — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:05:35 +0000

One of my favorite things about this job is becoming familiar with so many other traditions and cultures. I have photographed several weddings with Jewish elements, but this was the most traditional Jewish wedding I’ve been to and as I found out the meaning behind them I absolutely loved how each of the traditions contributed to the day. Rachel and Daniel did not see each other for a week before the wedding, so the anticipation leading up to their reunion before the ceremony was unbelievable. Rachel sat in a room surrounded by her energetic women, all singing and clapping as Daniel was led down the stairs. When they first saw each other they looked like they were about to burst out of their skin. They were so giddy it just gave me chills. That was MY favorite moment of their day. The ceremony was romantic and solemn under a family heirloom lace chuppah in the barn. Then from the minute they ran into their reception to be greeted by a burst of confetti it was a whirlwind of spinning and crazy crazy dancing. I thought I would be trampled several times. I loved it.

Rachel and Daniel care a lot about their environmental impact and they made many green choices for their wedding like bamboo serving dishes and flatware. I was so happy to learn that they chose Local Color Flowers for their florist. Local Color Flowers sources only from local farms, so their creations are completely seasonal, and I’m always so excited to see what they come up with using only what is available at a given time of year. They never fail to create absolutely gorgeous florals that exactly fit the personality of the wedding. Please check them out, not only because they are excellent florists, but because of their mission as well.

Richardson Farms Wedding // Jillian and Aaron

Sarah Culver — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 23:36:11 +0000

This wedding was something else. When I first met these two I knew we had a lot in common, including the fact that we both decided to put together our weddings in just a few months because we were so in love we couldn’t wait any longer. So I understood when I heard from Jillian, throughout the few months of engagement, how tough the process was – to pull off something so lovely in such a short amount of time. But when I showed up on this June day and saw what she and Aaron had put together I was just overwhelmed, not just by the beauty but by the love. This was quite possibly the hottest day of the year, and the whole event was outside with no air conditioning, but everyone was so crazy happy for these two that no one cared, everyone just hurrah’d and danced their hearts out and it was incredible. I asked Jillian to share her favorite part of the day and this is what she said: My absolute favorite part of the day was walking down the aisle. The emotions I felt in that moment will probably never be replicated as I held my dad’s arm and walked into the arms of my groom. Aaron looked like he was going to burst out of his skin as I approached. We had already seen each other during a first look and pre-ceremony portraits, but it didn’t lessen that moment at all. That will always be such a sweet memory for me.
This wedding was also featured on Style Me Pretty – hop over there for more of the beautiful details photos and Jillian’s thoughts about the day.

Wedding Venue: Richardson Farms in White Marsh, Maryland / Floral Design: Linda Monatori of Fine Floral Designs / Decorations: DIY + Thrift Stores / Wedding Cakes: Yia Yia’s Bakery / DJ: Scott West of Soundwaves DJs / Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal (Altered Sleeves + Sash) / Hair: Regis Salon / Makeup: Nicole Palermo / Men’s Suits: Indochino