This Baltimore backyard wedding was captured by Michelle in May 2024. Michelle is a Baltimore wedding photographer and Maryland wedding photographer available for weddings and portraits throughout Maryland, Washington DC, and beyond.
As their Maryland wedding photographer, I knew from the moment I arrived that Colleen and Killian’s Baltimore private estate wedding was about more than a beautiful property. It was about family history. The groom’s parents’ private home, tucked into the hills outside Baltimore, has hosted family weddings for three generations.
Rather than choosing a traditional venue, Colleen and Killian were married in a place where generations before them had already said their vows. That history shaped every part of the day. It gave the celebration a feeling that couldn’t have been recreated anywhere else.
A Family Home Filled with History
Inside the house, guests were welcomed by one of my favorite details. Antique wedding gowns worn by women in Killian’s family were displayed throughout the foyer, including his great-grandmother’s dress from the 1930s. Before the ceremony even began, guests could walk through a visual history of the family gathered there that day.
Family Heirlooms Woven Throughout the Wedding Day
That same appreciation for family history continued with the rings. Colleen and Killian worked with Radcliffe Jewelers to create a custom engagement ring using an antique diamond from the late 1800s. Killian’s wedding band was inspired by a ring worn by his great-grandfather and later his father. Together, the rings became another connection between past and present.
Even the weather became part of the story. Rain arrived later in the day. Instead of changing their plans, Colleen and Killian enjoyed gelato together in the rain. It became one of those moments that couldn’t have been planned but fit the day perfectly.
Colleen also has an eye for vintage pieces. Throughout the wedding, she carried antique purses she had sourced herself. Like so many of the details, they felt collected over time rather than chosen simply to match the wedding.
Why This Wedding Stands Out to Me
This wedding has stayed with me because every decision pointed back to family. The home, heirloom-inspired rings, antique gowns, and vintage pieces all told the same story. Nothing felt included because it was expected. Everything was chosen because it meant something to Colleen and Killian, and those are the weddings I love to photograph.
Vendor Team
Planning: Partridge & Co. Events
Photographer: Michelle Whitley
Florals: Kate Campbell Floral Design
Hair & Makeup: Brushed Beauty, LLC.
Furniture Rentals: Select Event Group
Catering & Tabletop Rentals: Ken’s Creative Kitchen
Ice Cream Truck: Taharka Brothers
Bride’s Gown: Anne Barge | Madaleine’s Daughter
Groom’s Attire: Gage Court Clothiers
Shoes: Margaux NY
Veil: Toni Federici
Earrings: Ross Simons
Rings: Radcliffe Jewelers
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jenny Yoon
Entertainment: Nightsong Band
Tent: Loane Brothers
Transportation: Ride Thoroughbred
