James & Christa | Spring Waterfront Winery Wedding [Maryland Photographer]

They say rain on your wedding day is good luck, right? Well, these two are in for a lifetime of happiness and joy! I don’t think we had a minute where the rain wasn’t falling, but it didn’t make their wedding day any less beautiful and amazing. The waterfront winery venue was a gorgeous backdrop to this fun-loving, cozy, vintage inspired, DIY Spring wedding day.

I met James and Christa through good friends of ours, who live in Maryland. My husband and I have become a pop-up addition to this small and close knit Southern MD crew, seeing them maybe a few times a year at various family and life events. James even officiated their wedding, which I also shot, a few years back. You can see that here! I think I’m slowly becoming the official photographer of their group, I love it! 🙂 I typically shoot as far as DC without charging a travel fee, but I’m more than happy to do it for these guys.

These two started out as running buddies after meeting in a young professionals group. As soon as I met them, it was hard to resist James’ silly charm and Christa’s super sweet and warm personality. They are just perfect together! So let’s get on to their wedding day story, time for some photos!
And be sure to check out their Summer engagement session in Leonardtown here!

The Woodlawn Estate & Inn was instantly one of my favorite places. Even in the mud and rain, as soon as we drove up, I was taken aback by it’s beauty and adorable charm. A gorgeous white and brick manor house on a lake, complete with guest cabins, a wine cellar, tasting room and a newly renovated barn with the most beautiful wooden beams, which you’ll see a bit later in this post!

One thing that I absolutely LOVE about rainy wedding days, is the even, dramatic lighting that comes through the windows. It gives such a classic and timeless look to portraits that are difficult to get when bright light is shining through. Here they each are taking a quiet moment before stepping out for their first look.

Shades of blush and lace with vintage accents was the underlying theme of Christa’s details for the day. She added something from each of her grandmother’s to her bouquet to keep them close. And a pink shoe with a crystal broach can never do you wrong!

In the kitchen and dining area of the manor house, we found this great wall hanging of “The Red Lion”. I’m not sure what it means, but I knew it was the perfect place for a groomsmen toast before the wedding! This place has something fun and unique around every corner. An antique lovers dream!

This old dark wooden chair instantly became one of my favorite backdrops for photos of the details, and of Christa! You can’t get em like this anymore!

I always mention this when I can, so I’ll quickly take a moment to do it again – I highly recommend doing a “first look!” For those of you who don’t know, it’s when the bride and groom take a few moments before the ceremony to see each other for the first time. It’s great for many reasons other than the photos, but seriously, the photos are always so good 🙂 But it gives just the two of you a private and very special moment together – and probably the only one you will get all day until the night is over. Once things get moving you barely see each other all night. It also helps calm the nerves before walking down the aisle, and yes, gives you more time for portraits!

For their first look, there was some debate – as there was all day long – about when and where was the best place to take these photos in the rain. Luckily we were prepared with these awesome clear bubble umbrella, which I absolutely love! I told her I had a few and then she also brought some. Seriously, they are a life saver. They look cute and you can somewhat see through them, enough for a few photos anyway 🙂

Despite this rain, these photos came out wonderfully. And lucky me, since my husband is the reason we’re now part of this friend group, he came as a guest me and so graciously offered to hold an umbrella over me for most of the day. What a lifesaver! In hindsight, I should have had someone snap a photo of that…

Their ceremony was planned to be on the grass overlooking the lake, but we couldn’t have all of these guest standing in soggy soil! So the venue was quick with a great backup plan and set up chairs under this pretty porch on the barn. It was a bit of a tight fit, but worked out just fine and kept everyone safe and dry. Plus, you really can’t get a large porch much cuter than this!

Speaking of cute, look at these sweet flower girls and that little ring bearer’s outfit is too much to handle!!

The new ceremony setup. Why are exposed wood beams so appealing? I don’t understand why, but boy do I love them. I think they told me that this and the inside of the barn were recently made. You still get that amazing smell of freshly cut wood, another thing that is very appealing to me!

Some beautiful ceremony music provide by another one of the Maryland friends. I actually just shot some ah-mazing engagement photo of her and her fiance  one of the groomsmen at Sweet Briar College! Be on the lookout for that 😉

And here is the flawless, rustic yet elegant barn reception hall. Those high ceilings, beams, drapes and string lights come together in perfect harmony.

This beyond beautiful family moment right here brought to you by Kleenex – barely a dry eye in the house.

The decor was simple and clean, white rose and baby’s breath, complimented by growlers, mason jar tealights and photos of the two of them. And no Maryland wedding is complete without crab mallets!

For dessert, they cut a simple white two tiered cake decorated with personalized wooden laser cut initials and three pink roses. On top of a stack of unbelievably delicious cupcakes from Crazytown Confections!

Something I try to do at every wedding if possible, near the end of dancing and fun, when there’s still a good number of guests left standing, I like to take a large group portrait on the dance floor. It’s always a good time!

Christa and James, I was so honored to be there to capture this amazing day for you and your family. I wish you a lifetime of happiness and I cannot wait to share more memories with you!

Vendors:

Venue: Slack Winery & Woodlawn Farm

Catering: St. Inigoes General Store

Bakery: Crazytown Confections

Floral: Weaver’s Cut Flowers (Amish Family)

Dress: Today’s Bride & Formal Wear

Hair/Makeup: Halo Hair Care Studio

Music/DJ: Invincible Entertainment

Photography: Tina Take My Photo

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Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

If you live in the Virginia, Maryland, DC area (or if you don’t!) I’d be honored to shoot with you! To book a session or just to say hi, send me an email, I’d love to chat!

And of course, let’s be social!