Black Tie Wedding at The Farmstead at Kent Island Resort

January 14, 2025

Even after all these years, I still get butterflies when I send over a wedding gallery. And sending over Gracie & Ari’s wedding was no exception! As a Baltimore-based wedding photographer, there is no greater honor than documenting the most precious moments of your day and making sure you have the time of your life making them.

Gracie and Ari met in college and have been together since 2018. They share their life with their beloved dog, Harley, who made a special appearance on their wedding cocktail napkins (which were so cute!). Their wedding was my third time photographing at Kent Island Resort, and it was truly a joy to capture such a meaningful celebration for this sweet couple.

The Farmstead at Kent Island Resort

Kent Island Resort has become one of my absolute favorite venues in Maryland, and for good reason. From its incredible staff to its breathtaking views, this property offers a versatility that’s hard to beat. The venue features two distinct spaces for weddings: The Pavilion, a tented reception space with waterfront views, and The Farmstead, a rustic yet elevated barn-inspired venue surrounded by sweeping fields.

For Gracie and Ari, The Farmstead was the perfect choice. With dedicated spaces for getting ready, the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, it provided everything they needed for a seamless, unforgettable day. With no need to flip rooms, their timeline stayed uninterrupted and stress-free. Everything was set and decorated before guests even arrived! My favorite part of The Farmstead? The stunning golden field it overlooks, which glows beautifully at sunset and is perfect for portraits.

A Custom Wedding Photography Experience

They chose a custom 10-hour wedding package that allowed me to document everything, from getting ready to their sparkler exit. The morning began at The Farmstead’s getting-ready spaces, which have excellent lighting and are perfect for portraits. Before their first look, they exchanged heartfelt letters in private, which was such a beautiful way to get ready for a first look. It lets you take a quiet moment to yourselves, breathe, and read a heartfelt letter from your finance before the festivities begin!

Their ceremony embraced tradition and elegance. Ari walked down the aisle with his parents, and Gracie with hers. One of the most meaningful details was their Chuppa Cloth, a family heirloom embroidered with the names of every couple in Ari’s family who had been married under it.

A Black Tie Wedding With Custom Details

Gracie and Ari embraced a formal black-tie theme with a black-and-white color palette woven into every detail. The tables were lined with eucalyptus, candles, and white roses, while the farm tables and fruitwood back chairs added a natural touch. The white flowers continued throughout the reception, from the lush sweetheart table arrangement filled with hydrangeas, roses, and mums to the cake tables cascading garland. This venue is a blank slate and allows you to have any color palette – whether you want something monochromatic or more vibrant.

Gracie and Ari’s reception was designed with one goal in mind: dancing! Their timeline prioritized creating as many dance opportunities as possible. They started with a grand entrance straight into their first dance, followed by a lively Hora. Guests enjoyed their first course while toasts and parent dances took place. The dance floor then reopened before dinner service began—talk about a double dance party! Have you ever been to a wedding where the dancing starts between courses!? It was an absolute blast!

One of my favorite moments was their “dancing on clouds” first dance, with a fog machine creating a dreamy atmosphere. And let’s not forget their pasta bar during cocktail hour, which was a huge hit with the guests.

They ended their wedding with a sparkler exit, but with a personal twist. Instead of their wedding attire, they changed into matching custom sweat sets featuring their wedding monogram because ending their nights together in a cozy sweat set was authentic to them! It was such a fun way to finish their night together. This was one of my favorite touches in 2024, and it made it onto my 2025 Wedding Trend List!

A Farmstead Wedding at Kent Island Resort

“We truly cannot put into words how grateful we are for the two of you. Thank you does not even begin to express how we feel. We appreciate y’all so much and are so happy we had you guys there yesterday as our photographers but also friends” – Ari

I literally cannot thank you both enough! You guys are the best photographers around!! Beyond your incredible photography skills, you made the day go so smoothly and kept a genuine smile on our faces (outside of the fact of how happy we were to be getting married). There’s no one else I would’ve wanted with us all day yesterday. Thank you you thank you thank you for everything! I’m so thankful we got the chance to work with you and even more so for the friendship that has blossomed.” – Gracie

If you’re planning your wedding at Kent Island Resort, especially at The Farmstead, I’d love to hear your vision. Whether it’s a timeless black-tie celebration or an intimate elopement, I’m here to capture every moment authentically and beautifully. Inquire today to start planning your custom wedding photography experience!

Black tie Jewish wedding at Kent Island Resort in Maryland Bride getting ready at Kent Island Resort, wearing a strapless tulle dress Groom wedding day details, including black and white portraits of a groom in a white tuxedo All white rose bridal bouquet Bride and groom first look at Kent Island Resort in Maryland Black and white bridal party pictures at Kent Island Resort Wedding day pictures, with the bridesmaids in black dresses and holding baby's breath bouquets at Kent Island Resort Bride and groom signing the ketubah at their Baltimore wedding Close-up of the family heirloom Chuppa Cloth with embroidered names at Kent Island Resort A groom walking down the aisle during their black-tie ceremony at The Farmstead A bride walking down the aisle during their black-tie ceremony at The Farmstead Black tie Jewish wedding at Kent Island Resort in Maryland Pasta cocktail hour at Kent Island Resort Custom napkins with a dog, and signature drinks for a Maryland Wedding Reception tables adorned with embroidered linens, lush white florals, and gold accents at The Farmstead Golden hour portraits at Kent Island Resort by Haley Day Photography Golden hour portrait of Gracie and Ari in the field behind The Farmstead, framed by a glowing sunset Bride and groom first dance at Kent Island Resort Guests dancing during the lively Hora at Gracie and Ari’s black-tie wedding reception Guests toasting and a simple wedding cake with dots at The Farmstead Bride in a custom sweatsuit with a monogram, holding sparklers during the grand exit

Vendors:

Venue: Kent Island Resort @kentislandresort
Photography: Haley Day Photography @haleydayphotography
Entertainment: Toussaint Productions @toussaintproductions
Videography: Perform Form Video @perfectformvideo
Beauty: NR Beauty @veuxbeauty
Florist: Scentsational Florals @scentsationalfloraldesigns
Jeweler: Mervis Diamonds @mervisdiamond
Bridal Shop: Love Couture Bridal @lovecouturebridal
Groom Tux: Kenny’s Menswear @kennysmenswear

ABOUT HALEY

At home near the city. Ever-focused on beauty and the thrilling art of storytelling, found in the moments that leave me breathless and in awe.

Haley is an international wedding photographer based in Baltimore, who took her knack for photography and her eye for catching the in-between moments and leaned in. She has since been named Best of Wedding Photography by Baltimore Weddings magazine and works with madly in love couples who treasure photos that capture feelings, not just memories.