Janelle & Jason | Summer Wedding at the Unforgettable House in Deep Creek Lake, MD

Janelle sent me an email 3 days before her wedding: “It’s 4am & I can’t sleep – I can’t stop thinking about little details of our wedding day. Do you happen to have umbrellas, just in case it rains?”

This made me laugh because I honestly think I had the same string of thoughts in the wee hours of the morning in the days leading up to Derrick & I’s wedding day.
(Just in case you’re curious: yes, I do have 12 white, golf-size umbrellas that come with me to every wedding day. And yes, it did rain on Derrick & I’s wedding day.)

Thankfully, in Janelle & Jason’s case – all of those “Plan B” thoughts & preparations were completely unnecessary as they had one of the most beautiful wedding days I ever remember celebrating (I mean, I’ve photographed a lot of lovely days, but this past Saturday ranks up there in the top 5 for “perfect weather”).

All I could think of on Saturday was: this is such an incredible small wedding with big heart.
Let me try to unpack that- in chatting back & forth prior to their wedding, Janelle told me several times that she simply wanted a simple celebration – something small & intimate, with the main focus being her & Jason’s love, their sweet daughters, and their closest family & friends. And, I think she did an incredible job at pulling off that vision.
Sometimes, it can be so easy for a bride & groom to get bogged down in the logistics, the details, & the planning of a wedding day, that the bigger (more important) things get overlooked. Instead of a focus on relationships, there is a focus on an ascetic, instead of a focus on a couple’s love, there is a focus on the decor, and instead of a focus on what a wedding ceremony actually means, there is a focus on the performance. (Not that there is anything wrong with big, beautiful centerpieces, incredible gourmet food, or special, planned moments – but I would argue they shouldn’t come at the expense of a couple overlooking the lifelong commitment they are making & putting some effort into that as well.)
I might have only been there for a few hours on Saturday, but it was absolutely beautiful to witness to love & joy of two people finally getting married, in a beautiful location, surrounded by a small group of people who just wanted to celebrate their best friends becoming husband & wife.

Janelle & Jason – you guys have been so incredible & easy to work with from the very beginning. I’ve loved all of our chats back & forth & seeing all of your planning & hard work come together on such a beautiful day on Saturday was a dream come true. (And, not having to pull out my umbrellas was an awesome added bonus!) Best wishes to the both of you & your sweet family!

Between the two of them, Janelle & Jason have 3 daughters – and Janelle really wanted to do a special First Look with them! It was such a sweet moment!

I always love sneaking peeks over at the groom as the bride is coming down the aisle & Saturday was no exception! Jason audibly gasped & when he saw Janelle (she literally took his breath away) & it was the sweetest moment ever.

Janelle & Jason’s sweet little girl just could not help herself – during the ceremony, she stood up from her seat with her Aunt & steadily got closer & closer to her Mommy & Daddy.
Once they realized she was there, instead of shooing her away, they welcomed her into their moment & she happily stood & held their hands thru the remainder of the ceremony (insert all the emotions here).

Who loves a good cake smash? I do!!

Huge shout-out and thank you to the amazing team of vendors, as well as friends & family, who helped make Janelle & Jason’s wedding day absolutely perfect!

Ceremony & Reception Venue: the “Unforgettable” Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales Rental House in McHenry, MD
Catering: Shawns Smoking BBQ in Connellsville, PA
Cake: Mountain Flour Bakery in McHenry, MD
Mobile Bar: Kindred Spirits in Kent Island, MD
Officiant: Pastor Tim Beatty of Buchanan Church of God in White, PA
Invitations: Zazzle
Florals: DIY by the bride – flowers from Sola Wood Flowers
Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist: Deep Creek Salon in McHenry, MD
Bridal Gown Shop: MB Bride in Greensburg, PA
Bridesmaids Gowns: Azazie
DJ: DJ Greg G in Bowie, MD
Photographer: Kara Abbey Photography in Irwin, PA