This past weekend I had the pleasure of photographing Charlene and Adrian’s wedding at the Loews Hotel in Annapolis, MD. I have known Charlene since 5th grade and although we did not keep in touch, I don’t think either of us changed all that much. Charlene is still bubbly, upbeat and beautiful just like she was in 5th grade. I could not have been more excited that the guy she married was also someone who she had known since her childhood. Her maid of honor spoke about how Adrian told her once that he was just waiting for the right time to finally get her to notice him as more than a friend, because a girl as incredible as Charlene was always going to have a boyfriend. Luckily his time came and the two of them seriously could not be more perfect for each other.

The wedding was at the gorgeous Loews Hotel. I had never been there before but the ceremony location and the beautiful decorated ballroom could not have been more gorgeous. More than a hundred people gathered to witness their amazing love and I was so proud to be a part of their day.

Charlene and Adrian – I know you are leaving on a jet plane today for an AHHH MAY ZING mediterranean honeymoon. I hope you have a ton of fun and that there are smiles and laughs every single day. I hope this next chapter in your life brings you so much love and happiness. <3 Dani

On to the photos!! You know the day is going to be amazing when you start out photographing a pair of glittery Louboutin’s.  🙂

This bridal party was seriously awesome. I had so much fun with them. You just never know what is going to happen when they are around…

This is how I know they are perfect for each other – Charlene gave me this same face.

My FAV thing about this ceremony was this awesome reading called Falling in Love is like Owning a Dog – which I am posting  right now because it is just so cute. I am pretty sure you can replace the word love with Ollie and it would still be perfect:

Falling in love is like owning a dog
an epithalamion by Taylor Mali
www.taylormali.com

First of all, it’s a big responsibility,
especially in a city like New York.
So think long and hard before deciding on love.
On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security:
when you’re walking down the street late at night
and you have a leash on love
ain’t no one going to mess with you.
Because crooks and muggers think love is unpredictable.
Who knows what love could do in its own defense?

On cold winter nights, love is warm.
It lies between you and lives and breathes
and makes funny noises.
Love wakes you up all hours of the night with its needs.
It needs to be fed so it will grow and stay healthy.

Love doesn’t like being left alone for long.
But come home and love is always happy to see you.
It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life,
but you can never be mad at love for long.

Is love good all the time? No! No!
Love can be bad. Bad, love, bad! Very bad love.

Love makes messes.
Love leaves you little surprises here and there.
Love needs lots of cleaning up after.
Sometimes you just want to get love fixed.
Sometimes you want to roll up a piece of newspaper
and swat love on the nose,
not so much to cause pain,
just to let love know Don’t you ever do that again!

Sometimes love just wants to go for a nice long walk.
Because love loves exercise.
It runs you around the block and leaves you panting.
It pulls you in several different directions at once,
or winds around and around you
until you’re all wound up and can’t move.

But love makes you meet people wherever you go.
People who have nothing in common but love
stop and talk to each other on the street.

Throw things away and love will bring them back,
again, and again, and again.
But most of all, love needs love, lots of it.
And in return, love loves you and never stops.

Probably the best first kiss I have ever seen!!

We ran out of light, but that is fine by me, I had the awesome Anna with me!! She is an excellent photographer and light gal!

Charlene is giving me some ‘tude! Sassy! I love it!!

The details at the reception were beautiful. Tons of purple calla lilies. And vases that had little LED lights at the bottom to light them – so cool!!

Yep – cake smash adult style!

The reception was rocking!! There were some serious break dancers at this party! Such an awesome day!