Crystal & Michele | Pier 5 Wedding in Baltimore

Gosh, I don’t even know where to begin with Crystal & Michele’s beautiful winter wedding at the Pier 5 hotel in Baltimore, MD. When Melissa, from Melissa Grace Weddings, invited me to come and photograph a wedding with her, on a Monday, I was totally down! Usually weekday weddings are saved for elopements or destination weddings, so I was curious… why a Monday wedding? As it turns out, Michele and Crystal were married after dating for 7 years- to the date! How awesome is that?

It was my first wedding of the year and, I won’t lie, this wedding set a pretty high bar for the year to come. Not only is Pier 5 an amazing wedding venue, and Melissa a blast to work with, but Crystal & Michele are way too much fun! The two are so in love and so in-tuned to one another. I loved watching their subtle interactions with each other and they brought me to tears several times throughout the day .

I hadn’t met Crystal and Michele yet, and when I first arrived at the hotel, I saw two ladies, just hanging out in the lobby with their hair done. Naturally, I assumed they were bridesmaids, since we were no where near the first look portion of the day. As it turns out, those two beauties were Michele & Crystal! These two are so awesome, they spent their *entire* day with each other, hanging out and enjoying the day together. They did each others’ make-up and kept each other laughing and calm all morning.

While Melissa photographed the gowns, I got to play with shoes and jewelry! Crystal wore green accents and Michele word red. I love that their details were similar, but different.

After the girls where done their hair and make-up, we did split them up while they got dressed and ready for their first look.

While Melissa finished up with Michele, Crystal & I headed downstairs to get ready for their first look!

Side note: Couples often say that they are hesitant to have a first look, because they worry it will lessen the moment when they first see each other at the aisle. And yet, here Michele & Crystal had spend their entire morning together, only being separated for about 20 mins after getting in their wedding gowns, and the tears were still flowing through their entire first look. (mine included). (*Spoiler alert* they cried again later at the alter.) I just love these sweet first look images!

After their first look, we headed outside, where it was a *wee bit* chilly. But hey, that’s Baltimore in January! It was worth it though, as we got some beautiful images of Michele & Crystal.

After these sweet photos, it was time to head inside and warm up before their ceremony.

There was so much laughter and tears of joy throughout the ceremony Crystal is a state trooper and these two actually met when Michele was working as Crystal’s dispatcher in Annapolis. So, it only seemed fitting that they include the cruiser in some of their wedding photos! It was cold, but Crystal and Michele were troopers (no pun intended) and they rocked these portraits.
After we finished up outside, we headed inside, to warm up for some more portraits. The lobby at the Pier 5 hotel in Baltimore is a stunning place for wedding photos!

After we finished photos, it was time to head up to the reception. Michele & Crystal did all of the centerpieces and table decorations themselves and they did a fantastic job! Everything was perfect.

Seriously, how sweet are these two together?

Then it was time to PARTY!!! Crystal and Michele had so much fun and it was great to see them really enjoy this time with their friends and family. I also *may* have had a little too much fun at the reception. The DJ played my jam and we reconfirmed that I still don’t know how to wobble. *Adds ‘learn to wobble’ to my goals for 2015

After the night was over, we snuck outside for the coldest nightshots…ever. My fingers felt like they were freezing to the camera, but Crystal and Michele didn’t seem phased!

Melissa, thank you so much for inviting me to photograph Michele & Crystal’s fabulous wedding at the Pier 5 hotel in Baltimore with you. I had so much fun! And Crystal and Michele- I’m so glad I was able to be a part of your big day. I wish you both nothing but the best and a lifetime of love and laughter.

Vendors:

Photographer: Melissa Grace Weddings

Venue: Pier 5

Florist: Flowers by Judy

Dresses: David’s Bridal

Ceremony Officiant: Laura Cannon of Ceremony Officiants

Cake: Baltimore Cakery

Cake Pops: Stephanie Allen

Music: Music Masters

Second Photographer: Jennifer Smutek

Photography Assistant: Kelly Anderson

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