The Baltimore Ravens. Most people should know that their team name was chosen as a tribute to Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem entitled, “The Raven“. His fame was not limited to just several recognized works, but also to the fact that he struggled with many “demons”, which expressed themselves in his dark, grotesque, and gothic literature. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Poe moved often looking for work, ultimately taking him to Maryland. What many may not know is that Edgar Allan Poe’s short life ended in Baltimore, Maryland at age 40. Poe’s posthumous legacy would eventually find greater fame, yes, even in the name of an NFL football team.
And so, it is this setting, the very church property (now known as Westminster Hall) in which Edgar Allan Poe is buried below a beautiful mausoleum, along with many state and federal politicians and military personnel, that Kelsey and Peter tied the knot. Having a museum-esque feel, this property’s original use as a Presbyterian Church in 1852 (although the building was erected in 1815) was deeded over to the University of Maryland Law School in 1977, which then renovated the building for event and secular purposes in 1983. The property is now registered by the Baltimore National Heritage Area, the National Park Service, with cooperation from the Maryland Historical Society, the Baltimore City Historical Society, Baltimore Heritage, and the Preservation Maryland. Besides its unique and textured architecture, the renovation included improvements to the pipe organ aesthetics which added terrific vertical geometry to many photographs!
Kelsey and Peter’s Spring day was more than delightful. With a 4pm ceremony start time, the early afternoon gave us ample time to do creative photography with the bridal party indoors, and outdoors. Westminster Hall offered us a great city scape backdrop, being surrounded by multiple-story buildings right in the middle of Baltimore City and close to the famed University of Maryland Medical Center.
After the “I dos”, the facility turned over the ceremony seating into a reception configuration in lightning speed, adding spectacular flower arrangements and catering to be envied. With DJ in toe, Kelsey and Peter, their family and friends, danced the night away. Enjoying many moments to remember, Peter’s group of fellow middle school teachers made for a fun and goofy time…. who said teachers don’t know how to have fun?
Join me below as Trans4mation Photography shares many “teaser” shots from this beautiful and fun Spring wedding.