Colleen and Vince celebrated their beautiful Annapolis Maryland wedding weekend on Kent Island. These two were surrounded by family and friends who traveled from 23 different states to be part of their day! The decision to hold the wedding in Maryland was deeply personal, as they wanted to ensure Vince’s 101-year-old grandmother could attend. The entire weekend was filled with so much love and sentimental moments.
Colleen and Vince’s love story began at Notre Dame, where they both attended college. They were in the same circles and shared many mutual friends. However, they didn’t fully connect while in school. Years later, after college, both Colleen and Vince moved to Chicago. Vince recognized Colleen at a party and couldn’t stop thinking about how gorgeous she was! Soon after, they began dating. Their relationship took a serious turn when Vince left for a months-long backpacking trip. Colleen booked a flight to Bali to meet him halfway through his journey. That spontaneous trip solidified their bond. They have been inseparable ever since. Six years later, living in Los Angeles, Vince proposed to Colleen on their six-year dating anniversary. This made their love story even more special. Check out their Venice Beach engagement photos for a taste of their life in SoCal!
Colleen and Vince turned their East Coast wedding into a full weekend event. They kicked off the festivities in Annapolis with a rehearsal dinner and a welcome party. Everyone was invited to come together before the big day. Many guests were meeting for the first time. I heard so many comments from folks who noticed how warm, inclusive, and engaging the entire group was. From the moment people arrived, there was a sense of connection and excitement that carried through the weekend.
Photographing the rehearsal dinner and welcome cocktails is an incredible opportunity to set the tone for the weekend. In this slightly more casual environment, I aim to capture both the ambience and guest vignettes. I also take time to say hello and chat with the people around me. Often, this leads to sparking new connections and building familiarity.
By the wedding day, everyone felt more comfortable having me present with a camera. They were already used to me. It’s not quite as common for couples to have a photographer during pre-wedding festivities. Guests seemed especially relaxed and engaged, which allowed me to capture amazing candid, documentary-style photos of everyone embracing and sharing a drink!
Even after the welcome party ended, many guests headed out for drinks at the local Irish bar. This furthered the sense of connection that was so evident! Colleen and Vince’s families and friends maximized every moment. Many guests told me that Colleen and Vince are the kind of people you meet and immediately feel like longtime friends. This type of personality often leads to vibrant and spontaneous friendships. That was definitely the case as I met folks throughout C&V’s wedding!
When the wedding day arrived, everything felt perfect. Vince and his groomsmen looked dapper in timeless tuxedos. Colleen was stunning in her elegant gown with a unique silhouette (that bow in the back, eek!). One of the standout moments was during golden hour when the couple took a peaceful stroll through a sunflower field. We created some of the most magical and intimate portraits of the day. They stopped to soak in the fact that they were finally MARRIED! Watching them frolic and have fun in this beautiful setting was SO heartwarming! Colleen and Vince also performed a choreographed dance to “How Long Will I Love You.” This version came from one of their favorite movies, About Time. This happens to also be one of my favorite films, so we are clearly all three a match made in heaven! Capturing the two of them spin and dip each other under the disco balls was a highlight of the weekend.
The reception was an unforgettable part of the day. Colleen and Vince hired a talented live band that played a perfect mix of classic hits and modern tunes, keeping the energy high and the dance floor packed all night long. Their friends and family danced the night away, celebrating together. Partway through the reception, Colleen made a quick outfit change and then returned to the party just in time with her second bridal look as the band played ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.”
Despite the distance, Colleen and Vince knew that they wanted to hire a destination wedding photographer for their Annapolis, Maryland wedding weekend in Kent Island. To them, it was crucial to find a wedding photographer who could visually articulate the memories they would experience at their celebration. Knowing they could relax and trust I’d naturally document the weekend as it unfolded helped them be present and fully immersed in their wedding experience.
One of the most unique aspects of this wedding weekend was that everyone stayed at the same hotel, allowing for a lovely, relaxed morning-after experience. The day after the wedding, Colleen and Vince’s closest family and friends gathered for breakfast. Because I was staying at the same hotel, I was able to edit some sneak peek photos and share them with Colleen and Vince over breakfast, making for a truly special moment. It’s rare to be able to relive the wedding day with the couple so soon, but it made the experience all the more meaningful.
Throughout the weekend, Colleen and Vince wanted their wedding captured in a candid, documentary-style approach. They weren’t focused on posed photos but instead, they wanted real moments that showcased the emotion of the day. From the heartfelt speeches to the laughter shared among friends, every moment was filled with connection and authenticity, perfectly embodying their vision for a laid-back but incredibly meaningful East Coast wedding weekend.
Colleen and Vince’s Annapolis, Maryland wedding weekend on Kent Island was truly a heartfelt celebration of their love, friendship, and the special people in their lives. Every personal touch, beautiful weather conditions and joyful spirits made the entire weekend one to remember.
“Erin is the BEST. She flew out to Maryland to cover our wedding weekend and captured it perfectly. We’re obsessed with all our pictures and our guests continue to rave about her.”
Loving this Annapolis Maryland wedding on Kent Island? Check out my recent blog post, Garden Wedding at Rancho Los Cerritos for more summertime wedding inspiration. 2025 bookings are open, I can’t wait to hear from you so we can start talking about your wedding day!
@erinmartonphoto
HOME
ABOUT
EXPERIENCE
PORTFOLIO
CONTACT
BLOG
PRESS & PRAISE
SERVICES