I cannot WAIT for you to see this Baltimore waterfront wedding day come together — because Carrie and Nirja’s wedding wasn’t only beautiful, it was them, from their henna details all the way down to their first scoops (instead of a cake cutting!)
Their morning started at The Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel, and if you know these two, you know it started with their pups.
Claudius and Carebear were right there at the door to greet me before we’d even gotten our bags down. Carrie and Nirja got ready separately but just down the hall from each other, which meant we got to bounce between rooms all morning and catch both of them mid-glow. And they were glowing. Jewels, perfume, even little details for the pups — every piece of it felt considered, and both brides were buzzing knowing the other one was just down the hall!
Nirja stepped into her lehenga, and everything came together at once.
Her mom helped her into it, and if she was stunning before, this was something else entirely. Sparkle, detail, the whole look coming together, and then she stepped into her shoes and I caught it: the henna on her foot, one of their pups. Carrie had the other one. Not just a sweet detail, but the most meaningful kind of one— their pups have been the foundation of their family for a while now, so of course they were there on the brides’ feet as they made it official.
A little backstory here, because I just love how this paints more of who these two are at their core: Nirja actually hired me first to photograph their surprise proposal at Cylburn Arboretum. As she proposed to Carrie, both of their pups were there by her side. It was only fitting that they not only be there as witnesses on their wedding day but that they also be part of the story woven through their wedding henna too.
As Carrie finished getting into her dress, veil going on, her flower girl helping with her shoes (and everyone stopping to say hi to the pup on her foot), the sky opened up.
We were on the 10th floor and could watch the rain come down sideways, which would’ve been fun if our next move wasn’t an outdoor first look and private vows. Cue the scramble to plan B.
Turns out… when you’re in love and about to see your person, it doesn’t matter what plan makes it happen or where you are. That said, plan B was pretty great. The Renaissance’s suites have beautiful light and plenty of space, so we moved everything inside and Carrie and Nirja got their first look at the other as a bride right there, in the AC and out of the rain. They read their private vows, and right on cue, the sky cleared.
We headed outside to see the pups again before crossing over to the Inner Harbor for portraits, and I just have to brag on Carrie and Nirja’s and their ntire crew for a second.
We are talking Baltimore, in July, immediately after a torrential downpour. The air was basically swimmable. Between the two of them, their wedding attire had to weigh 40 or 50 pounds, and the heat index was somewhere in the neighborhood of the surface of the sun. Their wedding party, dressed head to toe in pink, showed up and showed out anyway, and we got the shots. Then it was straight back to the AC.
Their ceremony wove two families and so many beautiful traditions into one.
This was one of my favorite parts of the whole day— Carrie and Nirja built a ceremony that folded so many pieces of both of their backgrounds together, blending Indian wedding traditions with a few American ones, and it felt seamless and so very them. Claudius and Carebear opened the ceremony by walking down the aisle just before Carrie and Nirja walked each other in.
When they were pronounced wives, the energy in that room went electric. They grabbed hands and sprinted back down the aisle, grinning the whole way. A few minutes to just be married, a quick bustle, veils tucked safely aside, and it was time to celebrate.
We snuck off to the courtyard for newlywed portraits, and the way these two glowed at each other — I could’ve stayed out there all day… if only it wasn’t still about 95º!
Then, we headed inside for snacks and cocktails (Plus some air con) before heading into the Water Table Ballroom, where both the ceremony and reception took place. I mean… this room is just to die for. With the Inner Harbor as the backdrop framing the entire room, florals everywhere, and space at a table for everyone they love, I knew we were in for such an incredible evening!
Their reception opened with performances, and the dance floor never really stopped from there!
Carrie and Nirja entered with their pups by their side, who stuck around just long enough to watch their moms share a first dance as a married couple before heading off to rest for the night. From there, some of their closest people opened the evening with performances that set the tone immediately. First scoops from the ice cream bar marked the official start of party time, though honestly, the dance floor had already been going strong well before that. Everyone was there to celebrate, and it showed.
It’s clear that Carrie and Nirja’s people mean everything to them, and it’s just as clear how loved they are in return. I cannot wait for you to see the full recap from this Baltimore waterfront wedding day at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel! These two are just the sweetest people and deserve all of the celebrations there are!
Before we get to the good stuff, a quick shoutout to their rockstar vendors:
Venue: Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel | Henna: Bhavna’s Henna & Arts | Wedding Planner: The Bridal Bestie LLC | Bridal Gown Boutique: Betsy Robinson’s Bridal Collection & Pernia’s Pop Up Shop | Bridal Gown Designer: Essense of Australia & Amrin Khan | Hair and Makeup: Behind the Veil LLC | Floral Design: Frederick Flower Farm | Reception Entertainment: DJ Taj Productions
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Surprise Proposal at Cylburn Arboretum | Nirja and Carrie
