“Can I just hug you?” said Meghan, as I began to photograph this sweet and beautiful bride.

Delicate curls graced her shoulders, and her hazel eyes were sparkling with excitement for the day ahead. Wine was poured and the sound of women getting ready was heard throughout the bridal suite at the Lord Baltimore Hotel. Meghan’s Amsale wedding dress fit her like a glove and her best friends were dressed in pinky peach. The mother of the bride was glowing; her heart wide open with love for her precious daughter.

Meghan saw her groom, Chase, within the sacred walls of the historic Baltimore Basilica. She approached him and all he could do was smile; and then he took her by the hand and began to dance with her. Their love reminds me of a dance; two people working together to create something beautiful, moving with grace, and holding on to each other.

The flower girls wearing their floral crowns and the ring bearers’ pink bow ties captured my heart. They expressed so much joy as they played ring-around-the-rosie; may they hold on to that childhood innocence as long as possible.

After a beautiful ceremony, dinner and dancing awaited guests at the L’Hirondelle Club of Ruxton. Meghan and her father kept the attention of every guest in the room with their entertaining and fun father-daughter dance. And one of my favorite parts of the evening was when the Sound Storm band began to play the song “My Girl” and approached a beautiful grandmother sitting in the corner, and began to sing to her. And with gusto and glee, she embraced the gesture and began to dance. For a few minutes she was the belle of the ball, and a few tears swept down my cheek. I hope someday when I’m an old woman at my granddaughter’s wedding, someone will take my hand and lead me onto the dance floor; someone to remind me with all my wrinkles and gray hair: “you’re beautiful and worth noticing.”

Although we sometimes wish we could stop time, it continues on. Growing old is a gift; a gift not everyone gets to receive. The more reason to care for, forgive, kiss, and to say “I love you” to the ones in your life, especially to the one who has decided out of all the people in the world, you’re the one person they want to grow old with.

Chase, may you always take Meghan’s hand and ask her to dance, for the rest of your lives.

Congratulations Meghan and Chase.

The wonderful wedding professionals who helped make this day so beautiful and memorable:

Ceremony Location | The Baltimore Basilica

Reception Location | L’Hirondelle Club of Ruxton 

Photography | Dyanna LaMora

Florist | Rutland Beard Florist

Cake | Graul’s Market

Hair & Makeup | Salon 360

DJ | Sound Storm

Wedding Dress | Amsale

Bridesmaid Dresses | J. Crew

Groomsmen Tuxes | Jos. A Bank