Urban Row Photography
James & Taylor
Baltimore Museum of Art
Urban Row Photography
Wedding Date: January 5, 2025
Number of Guests: 60
Favorite Detail: After the Tone Audio Guest Book
Urban Row Photography
Their cake was three tiers, including apple pie, strawberry cheesecake, and chocolate layers, from Fresh Bakery. “I am too excited for the first anniversary slice of apple pie!”
Two Libras Meet in a Bar
The couple, whose birthdays are just a day apart, were both out celebrating with their respective friends. James approached Taylor and ordered shots for both groups once they realized what they were both celebrating. Though they spent the night chatting and dancing, they didn’t speak again until a year later when Taylor was studying abroad in Paris. They chatted until Taylor came back to the States and James took her out on a first date. “Trying my best to impress her, I booked dinner at Terra Wine Bar . . . [I] knew it would be a great date spot someday, and today was that day,” James recalls. The night ended with drinks at a speakeasy. “I guess Taylor had had enough of staring into each other’s eyes all night and asked me, ‘Are you going to kiss me or what?’ I knew then she was a keeper.”
Greatest Love Stories
As a hopeless romantic, Taylor was “inspired by the idea of timeless love and all the couples throughout history whose love stories we admire.” That’s what made the Baltimore Museum of Art the perfect venue. Being surrounded by ancient and modern art “invoked the exact story [she] wanted to tell.” The wedding design was classic and timeless; beautiful to look back on for years to come. With a venue as stunning as the museum, they were able to keep a simple color palette of creams and blacks.
Urban Row Photography
DJ MoreSoupPlease, the DJ who played the night James and Taylor met, also played their wedding.
Six Week Dash
Originally, Taylor and James planned to get married in the spring of 2026. However, in November 2024, they decided to move the wedding to January 2025 because of her father’s health. “I had a lot of details together, like the venue and general decor, but actually pulling it off in six weeks required a lot of focus. Daniele from Blake Event Co. helped to pull everything together. “She listened to our plans and dreams, sent vendors our way, helped us negotiate and review every contract, and kept the day running smooth. We truly couldn’t have done it without her.”
Glitz and Gilded
Because of the expedited timeline, there wasn’t much time to shop around. Taylor and three of her friends went to Anthropologie during a lunch break to try on dresses. Though she debated between the first two, she ultimately went with the second. “I got goosebumps when I tried it on…
I felt straight out of the Gilded Age and I loved the dramatic bustle in the back.” She paired the dress with a pearl-lined veil that had a custom blusher. “I loved the idea of covering my face during my walk down the aisle—very dramatic!”
Urban Row Photography
“My favorite moment was when the doors of the venue opened up, “Ribbon in the Sky” by Stevie Wonder began to play and Taylor walked into the venue and everything was perfect. She looked so angelic at that moment,” James says.
Delighting the Senses
James and Taylor focused on creating an experience for all senses for her guests. With a small guest list of just family, they were able to have an intimate and warm dinner party-style reception with “amazing food, great music, and flowing conversation.” Cocktail hour featured a full charcuterie spread, crab cakes, and bang bang tacos, among other small plates. For dinner, guests could choose between short rib, salmon, and chicken for an entrée. “Additionally, we really invested in beautiful glasses and plates to tie the tablescape together.”
Notes, Musical and Otherwise
The saxophone stole the show the entire night. “Saxophones are just so romantic to me and [it] set the mood immediately.” The saxophonist played throughout the cocktail hour and accented the Amy Winehouse cover of “There’s No Greater Love,” which was James and Taylor’s first dance. Another detail that added to the ambiance of the evening was the personalized seating chart, which featured handwritten notes for every guest. “We purchased handmade paper, printed each guest’s name and table number, and added a gold wax seal. It truly amped the emotion in the air.”
Urban Row Photography
Details
Planner: Blake Events Venue: Baltimore Museum of Art Photographer: Urban Row Photography Videographer: John Braden Films Caterer: Zeffert and Gold Desserts: Fresh Bakery (Owings Mills, MD) DJ/Band: DJ MoreSoupPlease Florist: True Floral Hair: J Monae Hair Design Makeup Artist: Makeup Done by Bride Officiant: Dr. Harold Carter Jr, New Shiloh Baptist Church Rentals: Select Event Group Drapery & Uplighting: 27 Studios Bride’s Attire: Anthropologie Groom’s Attire: Suit Supply Seamstress: Alterations Room
