Changing gears once again, gang, this time back to weddings. But not just any wedding. This was one that performed a neat trick of sorts, beginning with the grandeur of Baltimore's Saint Ignatius Church and Peabody Library and ending with a quasi-impromptu recreation of Colombia's colorful Carnaval de Baranquilla.

As is usually the case, I knew that I would have a great time with Elizabeth Crook and Felipe Child, who hails from Colombia, when we had our first consultation. Elizabeth and her mom came and we laughed through the whole meeting. (Ashley Dally, who is our main album designer, came to that meeting, as it was her first day, and asked me if all my meetings are that much fun.) And then I shot some portraits of Elizabeth and Felipe and we laughed some more. Clearly a pattern was developing.

As I've said a million times here, if stress is the kryptonite of weddings then laughter is the antidote. Weddings should always be a day of pure joy and laughter should always be within earshot, even if it's the bride and groom giggling during their vows or breaking up during a toast. With Felipe and Elizabeth, one didn't have to wait very long to her those sounds.

The day started at Saint Ignatius Church, just three blocks from the Peabody. I've never been to Saint Ignatius before. Like so many buildings in Baltimore it's both historic and stunning. During the mass Elizabeth's two aunts performed a gorgeous rendition of Leonard Bernstein's "One Hand, One Heart." (It was so good in fact, that I had to ask the coordinator if the women were regular members of the church choir.)

After church it was on to the Peabody Library, the site of my sister Jennifer's wedding a few years back. It's one of the grandest venues one can stage a wedding reception in this area. And if you throw in a festive and wild Colombian celebration to top it off, you've got the ingredients of a great day.

The Carnaval de Baranquilla is normally held during the days leading up to Easter. But Elizabeth and Felipe wanted to make sure that their guests got a little taste of Colombia and the calendar was thrown out the window. Men, including yours truly, donned sombrero volteado, hats made out of sugar cane (at least that's what Wikipedia tells me!) and the women were given colorful pollera. And most importantly, perhaps, is that aguardiente was passed around liberally. The translation for aguardiente is basically "firewater" and it's also made from sugar cane and it's really potent.

It was a blast, especially seeing Elizabeth, wearing a red veil which I don't have the Spanish word for (though someone can leave a comment) dancing with Felipe's dad. If you cruise by the Peabody today I think you might still find Felipe's dad dancing. Elizabeth's dad, by the way, was last seen in one of the skirts meant for the ladies, so I think the firewater did the trick.

To see a mini gallery of images from the wedding of Elizabeth and Felipe, click here.

Take care,

Matt