Some weddings you remember for a single moment. Nikki and Matt’s Baltimore Museum of Industry wedding day, I’ll remember for how it felt the whole way through. These two, and every single one of their people, were completely present. Nobody was watching the clock or waiting for the next thing. They were just in it, soaking up every hug, every happy tear, and every spin on the dance floor.
It also happened to be the most Baltimore day imaginable: a first look on the cobbles in Fells Point, a ceremony overlooking the Inner Harbor, and a reception tucked inside one of the city’s most beloved museums. Add in bright dahlias, a rainbow of bridesmaids, a surprise that had Nikki in tears (more than once), and a bride tossed into the air by her wedding party, and you’ve got one of the best ways to kick off my fall wedding season!
The morning started at home with the girls (and Bella, of course).
Nikki and Matt are two of the kindest, most thoughtful people I know, and that showed up from the very first minute. Hair and makeup kicked off at their place with the ladies and their pup, Bella, who took her role as supervisor very seriously. Nikki is talented at basically everything she does, and, naturally, she sewed pajama pants and garment bags for every one of her girls. By hand. For her wedding. I mean, come on?!
Their details were impeccable, with the cutest stationery suite and so many bright dahlias to play with. We had SO much fun during the details portion of the day, and that was before things even really got started. (Spoiler: it only got more fun from there.)
And then there was the dress.
Nikki sent me photos from her final fitting, and I was obsessed then, but seeing it in person was a whole different story. This ballgown had the most stunning blue floral detail with silver-meets-gold threading… AND POCKETS. Jaw on the floor. Nikki stepped into her bridal look, we grabbed a few photos on the front lawn with Bella, and before we knew it, it was time to head to Fells Point so she could see her groom.
One thing about Nikki and Matt: they love big, and the people they surround themselves with love big too.
When they finally got a moment to embrace (and share a few happy tears), they chose to exchange their vows privately before the ceremony. It gave them a chance to center themselves before the day picked up speed, and hopefully take the edge off the tears later on. This was one of my favorite moments of the whole day. Surrounded by all that historic Baltimore charm, they reminisced on their memories and made promises for a lifetime, and I’m pretty sure we were all crying by the end of it.
After a few more hugs, we met up with their wedding party for group photos with some classic Baltimore views. Can we talk about the bridesmaids for a second? Every one of them wore a different pastel, one girl in every color of the rainbow, and against those bright florals it was absolutely stunning.
Then came Nikki’s request. She wanted to be tossed into the air by the wedding party, and who am I to say no to that?
I got to pull out my old dance teacher cues, counted everyone in, and up she went. It was hilarious, a little chaotic in the best way, and so completely Nikki. Truly one of those moments you couldn’t plan if you tried (except she did, and it was perfect).
A few photos of these two spinning on the cobbles later, we headed to the Baltimore Museum of Industry, where their families were waiting for hugs and a few group photos.
Nikki and Matt were married by a sweet friend of theirs, and when we got to the venue, she let me in on a secret: she had purchased a commemorative brick with their names and wedding date. We kept it quiet and rocked through family photos and some fun portraits with the wedding party inside the museum (their wedding newspapers made a debut too, obviously).
Their ceremony looked out over the Baltimore skyline and the Inner Harbor, and it was everything. Sweet vows, an exchange of rings, and lots of cheers as they walked hand in hand back up the aisle as husband and wife. The second they cleared the aisle, they both busted out dancing to celebrate. (No but literally I couldn’t love these two any more)
Someone had traced a chalk heart around the brick to make it easy to spot, and as they made their way back toward the venue, they saw it. Instantly, Nikki was back in tears, and I’m pretty sure we’ve all been crying about it ever since. It became a bit of a running joke for the rest of the night: how many times would Nikki cry about a brick? The answer, of course, is that the limit does not exist.
Cocktail hour spilled through the museum exhibits while the reception space came to life with colorful bud vases and glowy candles.
At every seat was a postcard for guests to write the couple a note, to be opened on the anniversary matching their table number. When I say these two are thoughtful, I really can’t overstate it. That’s years of love letters waiting for them from their closest people!
Their reception opened with an energetic first dance full of the most incredible lifts and dips. Dinner came with toasts that were somehow the funniest and most heartwarming all at once, and then Nikki and Matt opened the dance floor by dancing with their parents… before surprising them each with a cake of their own to cut. I’m telling you, the thoughtfulness never stopped.
And then the dance floor didn’t stop either…
Nikki changed into the cutest party dress to make breaking it down even easier as Matt kept the dance floor going with his guys, and when Bohemian Rhapsody (a classic Nikki and Matt favorite) came on, it brought the house down. These two didn’t stop celebrating for a minute, and it was such a joy to be in the room for it.
I could go on and on about how much I adore Nikki and Matt, but I really think the photos say more than I ever could. These two are the real deal: kind, hilarious, fully present, and such a delight to celebrate. Congrats, you two! Thank you for letting me be part of it.
Before you scroll through it all, a huge thank you to the incredible vendor team who made this day happen:
Venue: Baltimore Museum of Industry | Catering: Zeffert & Gold | Wedding Planner: SK Events | Bridal Gown Boutique: Betsy Robinson | Bridal Gown Designer: Sottero and Midgley | Bride’s Shoes: Naturalizer | Groom’s Attire: Tuxedo House | Hair and Makeup: Up Dos for I Dos | Floral Design: Two Boots Farm & Albright Farms | Dessert: Kupcakes & Co | Stationery: Pulp Templates | Reception Entertainment: Mixing Maryland
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