When it comes to having a classic wedding at an unforgettable venue, couple Jackie and Tony’s wedding at the Belvedere Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland, took the cake. A beacon of elegance and sophistication with deep historical roots, the venue was the perfect backdrop for this black-tie wedding celebration, says the couple’s Washington, D.C., luxury wedding photographer, Anna Schmidt.

Originally from New York and Connecticut, the lucky couple first met at Loyola University in Baltimore during the fall semester of their Freshman year. They had already decided during their courtship that they would marry where they met, so the Loyola University Alumni Chapel was a preordained ceremony decision. Then, when they toured the reception site, they knew that they had to have their wedding at the Belvedere Hotel.

“The hotel was the first reception venue they went to see, and they knew right away that it was perfect,” Schmidt explains. “Built in the early 1900s in the French inspired Beaux Arts style, the Belvedere Hotel has hosted some of the most influential people in history: American presidents, English kings, and sports heroes, as well as some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, have stayed in its beds and held Gatsby-esque parties in the venue’s regal ballrooms.”

After their church ceremony, guests celebrated Jackie and Tony’s nuptials with a festive bubble exit outside of the chapel. “Live-event painter Ben Keys also beautifully captured one of the newlywed’s highlight wedding day moments on their college campus with their beloved chapel in the background,” adds Schmidt.

For the reception, it was opulence and glamor all the way—they rented a 1927 Rolls Royce decorated with white flowers, and as guests walked into the Belvedere’s Platinum Ballroom for cocktail hour, they were greeted by a large gold candelabra and mirror adorned with florals, right next to a gilded showstopper—a towering flower-draped seating chart clocking in at 8 feet tall.

Adds Schmidt: “Other gorgeous accents included romantic candlelit table centerpieces placed above seated guests on gold Harlow stands with lush white flowers and greenery. A multi-piece band played Sinatra on a white paneled stage drenched in dreamy glowing light from sizzling sparklers, while a customized ‘J&A’ gobo dramatically projected its outline onto the dance floor. In addition, the couple had an old-school audio Fetefone guest book in place and asked their family and friends to record messages that they could play back for years to come. To top it all off, a gold and white floral-adorned cake, at four tiers tall, included a cake topper replica of the newlyweds in their wedding day attire.

Now that their big day is behind them, Jackie and Tony will have gorgeous wedding photos from the chapel and the Belvedere Hotel, as well as the heirloom art piece Ben Keys created for them. 

Looking for inspiration for your wedding? From fashion to details to every aspect of the art of photography, you’ll find thousands of stunning photos in our searchable Photo Gallery.

Professional Credits:
 

Planner: Rose Gold Events

Katie MacGregor - [email protected]

Photography: Anna Schmidt Photography [email protected]

Videography: Lee Russell Films

Lee Considine - [email protected]

HMUA: Makeup by Ana B.

Momina Arshad - [email protected]

Band: Big Ray and the Kool Kats

Ray Caddell - [email protected]

Live Event Painter: Ben Keys Fine Art (aka Wed on Canvas)

Jen Keys - [email protected]

Wedding Cake: Cake by Jason

Gretchen - [email protected]

Florals -  Floral Impressions  ([email protected])

Photo Booth: Monumental Photo Booths

Tina Mace - [email protected]

Bridal Party and Guest Transportation: American Limousines

Michelle McRae - [email protected]

Bride and Groom Transportation: First Class Rolls Royce

Bob - [email protected]

Getting Ready Location: Hotel Monaco

Ceremony Location: Loyola University Alumni Chapel

Cocktail Hour & Reception Location: Belvedere and Co. Events

Bride’s Gown Designer: Martina Liana, style 1078

Wedding Dress Store: Kleinfeld Bridal

Groom’s Tux Designer: Ike Behar, style 160 Dawson

Tux Store: Elephant’s Trunk

Shoe Designer (both bride and groom): Christian Louboutin

Bridesmaid Dress Designer: Dessy, style 3079, color sienna

Bridesmaid Dress Store: Bella Bridesmaids

Groomsmen Tux Designer: Calvin Klein, style 1869 tuxedo

Groomsmen Tux Store: Men's Warehouse

For Photographers – What’s in her bag?

Cameras: Canon EOS R3, Canon EOS R5, Nikon Z9, Nikon Z6, DJI Mavic 3 Pro drone

Lenses: Canon prime and zoom lenses, Nikon prime and zoom lenses, Sigma Art

Lighting: Canon/Nikon/Godox flashes, Yongnuo LED Video Stick Ice Light, Video Light