Anna and Sam are MARRIED! 🎉 Their gorgeous wedding day on Sam’s family property in Southern Maryland was one for the books, and I’m so excited to share more from their celebration with you today! From start to finish, their day was filled with personal touches, joyful hugs, and the kind of love that you can feel radiating from every person present.
This day has been a long time in the making—in the very best way. Anna first reached out to me shortly after she and Sam got engaged back in 2023, and right away, I knew their wedding was going to be something incredibly special. They had such a clear and beautiful vision for a celebration that felt like them—laid-back but elegant, personal and heartfelt, and filled with the people they love most. Seeing it all come together under one big blue sky was truly something magical.
And let me tell you… photographing Anna’s wedding day was extra meaningful for me!
She’s the sister of one of my sweet 2019 grooms (Hi, Emily and Joey!!), who is a dear friend of one of my 2018 couples (That’s you, Bridget and Peter!), AND she’s related to one of my 2024 couples by marriage too!! (Hi, Katie and Eric!) How lucky am I?! Over the years, I’ve had the absolute joy of getting to know her vibrant, kind, and bubbly spirit, and when I met Sam, I immediately understood why these two are such a perfect match. He’s thoughtful, hilarious, and brings a calm, grounded energy that balances Anna’s sparkle in the most beautiful way. Plus… the way they look at each other, you can see just how much they admire the other!
We actually met at the very same spot for their engagement photos a year and a half (ish) before their big day—walking the property, dreaming about the vision, and soaking in the excitement.
So, rolling up to the beautiful property on wedding day felt like coming full circle!
And y’all… it was already a PARTY before we even got started! As I pulled up, Anna came running out of the front door cheering “WEDDING DAY IS HERE!!!!” (truly iconic), and the house was already buzzing with excitement. Hair and makeup was in full swing, music was playing, and the vibes were just the best! It was clear everyone was SO excited for the day ahead. I got started with their beautiful details—dried florals, custom stationery, heirloom jewelry, and one gorgeous gown—before Anna slipped into her dress with help from her mom and her two amazing matrons of honor. (One of whom just delivered her third daughter a month prior!!) She then shared the sweetest first look with her dad on the front lawn of her and Sam’s home!
From there, we made our way to the stunning land where we would spend the rest of the day!
We found the most peaceful grove of trees near the home where Sam grew up for Anna and Sam’s first look. They shared private vows, exchanged a few joyful kisses, and took a quiet moment together before the festivities began. We had such a fun time capturing wedding party and family portraits with the most stunning views, and before we knew it… it was time to get these two MARRIED!
And their ceremony?! Truly unforgettable. Anna’s brother (and one of my 2019 grooms!) Joey officiated, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Between the laughter, the unity ceremony, the way Anna and Sam looked at each other, and the cheers at their first married kiss, it was such a heartfelt and joy-filled moment.
After the ceremony, it was time to celebrate — and Anna and Sam’s vision for their reception came to life in the most colorful, joyful way. They had dreamed of wildflowers sprinkled throughout the day, and their reception space was bursting with them! Tables were adorned with beautiful blooms in every color, and their dessert table? Let’s just say it was just as vibrant and delicious as it looked. (I may or may not still be dreaming about those sweet treats!)
Their evening kicked off with heartfelt toasts and sweet dances before guests were invited to enjoy a delicious dinner.
Once Anna and Sam had a chance to eat and soak in the moment, we snuck away for sunset portraits—and this golden hour was something out of a dream.
One of my favorite parts of the evening was made possible thanks to my second photographer’s husband (hi, Devon and Caitlin!) who brought along his drone! When you’re saying “I do” on a property with such sweeping views and such sentimental value, you have to make the most of it—and wow… the aerial photos are absolutely stunning. A drone has been on my dream list for a while now, but after this day? It might just be moving to the top of the priority list! I just need to dream up a way to keep the experience seamless for our couples on wedding days.
We had so much fun frolicking through golden hour and capturing every ounce of joy these two were radiating. And then… one of my favorite moments of the entire day happened. As we were walking back toward the reception, Anna and Sam paused hand-in-hand. They wrapped their arms around each other, leaned in with their foreheads touching, and quietly looked on at their celebration in full swing. Anna whispered something along the lines of: “This is it… where you grew up… our wedding…” and all I’ve got to say is: I’m real glad I could blame my sweaty eyes on allergy season.
That sweet moment didn’t last long though—because just seconds later, we heard HOT TO GO blasting from the dance floor, and Anna took off running to rejoin the party! (My kind of bride!!)
From that moment on, the energy did not stop. Their people showed up ready to celebrate, and celebrate they did! From dancing under the twinkling bistro lights to so many happy hugs and epic dance moves, it was clear just how loved these two are.
Anna and Sam — thank you, thank you, thank you for inviting me into your lives and trusting me with your memories. Your day was joyful, intentional, and so full of love.
I loved watching you truly live in and be present on your wedding day, and I hope these Southern Maryland wedding photos always bring you back to the magic of it all!
Now, let’s get to the good stuff—scroll on for a few favorites from Anna and Sam’s beautiful day!
But first… a quick thank you to the incredible vendor team:
Venue: Private Estate | Catering: Bailey’s Catering | Drone & Second Photography: Caitlin and Devon Wilcox | Wedding Planner: 1423 Events | Bridal Gown Boutique: Edel’s Bridal Boutique | Bridal Gown Designer: Allure Bridal | Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse | Bridesmaid’s Attire: Birdy Grey | Hair: Allie London | Makeup: SJR Beauty |Floral Design: Homestead Weddings and Events | Dessert: Sprinkled Creations by Ash | Rentals: Bailey’s Party Rentals | Reception Entertainment: Friendly Entertainment
Anna and Sam— your wedding day was so perfect and it was such a joy to spend it with you! Thank you so much for trusting me with such a special season in your lives!
If you enjoyed this blog post, you may also like:
Southern Maryland Engagement Session | Anna and Sam