My friend Dara found Meg’s online dating profile and sent her a message for me. We went on our first date at Brewer’s Art in Baltimore and stayed for about five hours talking about our lives and how we ended up in Baltimore. I asked Meg to be my girlfriend a few weeks later. Before we met, Meg had planned to participate in a sailing and sea-kayaking trip off the coast of Vancouver, so we were apart for four weeks with no communication, just a few months into our relationship. Before she left, I made her a tiny card to open every day while she was on her adventure so that she wouldn’t forget about me. After years of failed relationships and dating mishaps, I finally got it right. I hav found someone to love with my whole heart, who I am excited to see every day... and who adopted the most special dog in the world.

We returned to our first date spot for dinner and drinks. After leaving, we paused at the location where Hope awkwardly/adorably asked me for a second date, and I proposed on that exact spot. Upon realizing what was happening, Hope started to repeated “Oh my God, Oh my God” while I was on one knee reciting a planned proposal that Hope, in her excitement, missed completely. It took a few moments to pull her out of her celebration to get a final answer before officially placing the ring on her finger.

Meanwhile, friends were decorating our backyard with string lights and lighting the fire pit. We returned home to a decorated yard, a card from Lovey (our dog) formally asking Hope to be her Mom, and a bottle of bourbon. We spent the rest of the night dancing to our favorite music outside.

Our wedding venue is the most beautiful, timeless space that combined historical significance with updated charm. It was also conveniently located not too far from where we lived. We drove by it several times a week and felt comfortable there. Since we aren't native to Baltimore, we decided that we would marry here and bring all of our loved ones to the city we call home.

Our ceremony was short and simple, officiated by our sister-in-law, Colleen. Everyone in our immediate family walked down the aisle in pairs with flowers. Meg walked down with her mom and dad. Lovey ran down the aisle and joined our bridesmaids up front in one of her favorite camping chairs. We had small wedding parties with a few friends and involved other close friends and family in our ceremony with our readings. We also worked with a great caterer, Copper Kitchen, that we knew would make our wedding food something to always be remembered.

Our flowers were beautiful! Fresh sunflowers and wildflower bouquets, and centerpieces with lavender. Lovey had a boutonniere pinned to her wedding “necklace” (collar). We displayed pictures of our grandparents who has passed away. We don’t love cake, so we had incredible mini-donuts and honey graham ice cream.

A bluegrass duo played during the ceremony and cocktail hour. We were so lucky that the weather cooperated and we could have our ceremony outside.

Words by Hope, one of the brides, as told by Amber Marlow. Photos by Nathan Mitchell.

BALTIMORE WEDDING AT MOUNT WASHINGTON MILL DYE HOUSE FIRST LOOK

BALTIMORE WEDDING AT MOUNT WASHINGTON MILL DYE HOUSE FIRST LOOK COUPLE HOLDING HANDS

BALTIMORE WEDDING AT MOUNT WASHINGTON MILL DYE HOUSE HOPE AND MEG HOLDING HANDS IN FRONT OF BRICK WALL

BALTIMORE WEDDING AT MOUNT WASHINGTON MILL DYE HOUSE POSE OUTSIDE, HOPE BEHIND MEG

BALTIMORE WEDDING AT MOUNT WASHINGTON MILL DYE HOUSE COUPLE OUTSIDE STONE HOUSE, TRANSPARENT RAINBOW AND CLOUD OVERLAY

BALTIMORE WEDDING AT MOUNT WASHINGTON MILL DYE HOUSE COUPLE WALKING AMONG TREES

BALTIMORE WEDDING AT MOUNT WASHINGTON MILL DYE HOUSE HOPE AND MEG OUTSIDE NEAR TREE

BALTIMORE WEDDING AT MOUNT WASHINGTON MILL DYE HOUSE FAMILY PICTURE OUTSIDE

BALTIMORE WEDDING AT MOUNT WASHINGTON MILL DYE HOUSE COUPLE WITH LOVEY THE DOG, LOVEY LICKING MEG'S FACE

BALTIMORE WEDDING AT MOUNT WASHINGTON MILL DYE HOUSE HOPE HAVING BOUTONNIERE PINNED TO BLAZER

BALTIMORE WEDDING AT MOUNT WASHINGTON MILL DYE HOUSE COUPLE SMILING AT ONE ANOTHER IN FRONT OF BUILDING

BALTIMORE WEDDING AT MOUNT WASHINGTON MILL DYE HOUSE KISS AT CEREMONY UNDER STRING LIGHTS

BALTIMORE WEDDING AT MOUNT WASHINGTON MILL DYE HOUSE COUPLE WALKING DOWN AISLE WITH LOVEY, GUESTS CLAPPING

BALTIMORE WEDDING AT MOUNT WASHINGTON MILL DYE HOUSE MUSICIANS KEN AND BRAD PERFORMING AT RECEPTION

BALTIMORE WEDDING AT MOUNT WASHINGTON MILL DYE HOUSE GUEST GIVING SPEECH WHILE HOPE AND MEG LISTEN FROM TABLE

BALTIMORE WEDDING AT MOUNT WASHINGTON MILL DYE HOUSE GUESTS LISTENING TO SPEECH

BALTIMORE WEDDING AT MOUNT WASHINGTON MILL DYE HOUSE GUEST PERFORMING SONG WHILE DJ MIKE MIXES IN BACKGROUND

BALTIMORE WEDDING AT MOUNT WASHINGTON MILL DYE HOUSE HOPE STANDING WITH DRINK, BLURRED BACKGROUND

BALTIMORE WEDDING AT MOUNT WASHINGTON MILL DYE HOUSE COUPLE KISSES WHILE HOLDING SPARKLERS

VENDORS

Photography | Nathan Mitchell Photography

Venue | Mt. Washington Mill Dye House

Catering | Copper Kitchen

Florals | Local Color Flowers

Hair | Pins to Pearls (formerly Hair for a Special Affair Studio)

DJ | DJ Mike

Musicians | Ken & Brad

NATHAN MITCHELL

Nathan is an advanced and creative wedding photographer based in Baltimore, Maryland. Using a fantastical mix of creative portraiture and photojournalism, he creates a beautiful story of a couple in love surrounded by friends and family, giving his brides + grooms something they can see, hold, and come back to throughout their entire future together. In addition to hanging out with his partner Abigail + trying to stop his dog Steinway from jumping up on the counter, Nathan also hosts The Epic Podcast, a wedding photography show with fellow wedding photographer Sam Hurd. To infinity...and beyond!