A Sentimental September Estate Wedding in Glen Arm, Maryland
Kelsey and Artur’s autumn backyard wedding in Glen Arm, Maryland was such a heartfelt celebration. The day took place on Kelsey’s family’s sprawling estate, unfolding with a timeless charm and a strong emphasis on their dynamic as a couple.
Every detail of the wedding was a testament to the love and care poured into the celebration. Kelsey’s family transformed the estate into such an inviting setting while leaning into the beauty of the property itself. Guests were welcomed with a pre-ceremony drink and mingling, then encouraged to move to the upper field, where an aisle lined with seasonal mums led to a wooded backdrop for Kelsey and Artur’s heartfelt ceremony.
Friends and Family on Artur’s side traveled from Moldova to share in the joy, infusing the day with their own rich traditions. His mother, a bespoke tuxedo shop owner, personally curated the groom’s and groomsmen’s navy suits which she carefully adjusted throughout the day to ensure everyone looked their very best. One of the day's sweetest moments was the photo we grabbed of her with all the groomsmen showcasing her efforts.
Following their vows, Kelsey and Artur honored a cherished Southern tradition by unearthing a bottle of bourbon they had buried at their ceremony site a few days prior—a custom believed to ward off rain on the wedding day. We enjoyed a beautiful day without rain, and the couple toasted their good fortune with celebratory shots alongside their loved ones. It was such a fun start to the celebratory part of the wedding festivities.
Throughout the day, we explored the estate, capturing moments that felt both intimate and true to the moment. The love between Kelsey and Artur radiated in every glance, every shared laugh, and every embrace from family and friends. These are always the kind of moments that make a wedding so special and remind me of how incredible it is to document people’s love in this way.
One particularly unforgettable highlight of the day was Maddie’s (Kelsey’s sister) maid of honor speech, which took everyone on a nostalgic journey back to a childhood game they liked to play of “Cowboys and Princesses.” In a heartfelt gesture, she crowned Kelsey a princess for one last time, then donned her own cowboy hat, reminiscing on what growing up together was like. At the end of her speech she gave Artur his own Cowboy hat and encouraged them to continue to play, encourage one another and build a beautiful relationship together. The room erupted in laughter and applause—and everyone insisted that Artur keep his own cowboy hat on during the thank you speech he gave.
Another poignant moment came from one of Artur’s groomsmen, who delivered his speech in Moldovan directly to Artur and their closest family and friends. The speeches were soon followed by the Moldovan Wedding Tradition known as the “Undressing of the Bride”, a symbolic transition on the wedding day to show the shift from bride to wife. Artur’s mother removed Kelsey’s veil giving it to her maid of honor which symbolizes who will be married next, she combed both the bride and groom’s hair so they remember to always look their best for one another. They were fed honey so their life would be sweet, given champagne so their life would be fun. Kelsey was given an apron and a traditional head scarf that the guests then put money in so they would always have wealth. They were then covered in a blanket and the guests danced The Hora around them and then broke bread to show who would wear the pants in the relationship, and finished it all off by dancing together with the maid of honor and her partner. At the end of it all, Kelsey went to change her dress to fully symbolize the change and bring the tradition to its close.
Getting to photograph this tradition was an absolute highlight of their day and something I’ve looked fondly back on throughout the 2024 wedding season. Their day finished up with an epic dance party and I captured the last few photos of the night on film to finish up the roll I had been shooting throughout the day to really lean into that beautiful nostalgia and timelessness only film can capture. It was an incredible and heartfelt day and I would do it all again a hundred times over.
Kelsey and Artur shared these kind words about their experience working with me:
"Kirsten was by far our favorite and the best of all of the vendors we worked with for our wedding! From the very first meeting, we could tell that she truly cared about our love story and capturing the moments most important to us. Every cent we spent was worth it! We didn't have a wedding planner, but Kirsten helped us design our timeline and keep everything on track—even with my big family. Her expertise was invaluable."
"Beyond her guidance, the photos were breathtaking. Kirsten captured the day so perfectly and gave us amazing direction. Every single image was stunning, and her film photos were such a unique and special touch. If you’re considering booking Kirsten, don’t hesitate—it was the best decision we made."
Kelsey and Artur’s day was the kind of celebration that lingers in your heart long after the last dance. It was a reminder of the beauty in authenticity, the power of family, and the magic of traditions, both old and new. Documenting these moments is not just my job; it’s my passion and privilege.
If you’re planning a wedding filled with personal touches, family traditions, and timeless elegance, I would be honored to capture every cherished detail. Let’s create something extraordinary together.
