Alyssa & Danny got married at the gorgeous Rawlings Conservatory in Baltimore for their Maryland micro-wedding. While they wanted elements of a traditional wedding, it was important to them to keep it small to feel more personal and meaningful while still not being too overwhelming.

For their Maryland micro-wedding they had about 35 guests for an outdoor ceremony with a private dinner at a nearby restaurant, La Cuchara, to celebrate with their friends and family. 

Like many couples, after getting engaged Alyssa & Danny started to plan a traditional wedding thinking this was the only option. Then they quickly realized how stressful, expensive, and taxing those can be and decided to find another way! Thankfully, post-pandemic elopements and micro-weddings have become much more popular in Maryland and along the East Coast, so more and more couples are realizing these options aren’t just back up plans but they are fully valid ways to get married. Fewer people doesn’t mean your wedding is any less important, and it’s often a more authentic and meaningful way to celebrate your wedding with just your closest relationships without all the stress and pressures that can come from traditional weddings. Especially if you’re on the introverted side, like this couple, and want to have more time to spend with each guest rather than putting on a big performance for hundreds of people, a maryland micro-wedding might be the right fit for you! 

We spent the morning getting ready at a nearby hotel where they used a room separator to avoid seeing each other while putting on their outfits and getting hair and makeup done. Their friends and family helped set up a custom arch made by the couple for their ceremony backdrop in the gardens of the beautiful Rawlings Conservatory grounds. They opted to see each other for the first time at the ceremony, so it was a beautiful and emotional moment when Alyssa walked down the aisle towards Danny with their friends and family cheering them on. 

Rawlings Conservatory Wedding Portraits

After the ceremony, the guests got to enjoy a cocktail hour in one of the greenhouse rooms while we took wedding portraits surrounded by beautiful tropical plants and lots of unique flora and greenery. Rawlings Conservatory is one of my favorite locations for a Baltimore elopement or Maryland micro-wedding because of how unique their location is! It is not only beautiful year round, but will always be a warm and dry option in case of any inclement weather during rainy or cold seasons. 

Private Dining Reception at Baltimore Restaurant

Alyssa & Danny love good food and trying new restaurants and after the wedding they went to La Cuchara in Hampden for a delicious meal. Gathered around one long table, they were able to keep an intimate feeling for their dinner with foods inspired by Spanish and French food and culture. 

Vendor Team for Rawlings Conservatory Elopement:

Photographer: Evergreen Photo

Venue: Rawlings Conservatory

Florist: Wildly Native

Hair & Makeup Artists: Swept Hair & Makeup

Officiant: Memorable Moments by Marjorie

Dinner Reception: La Cuchara

Bride’s gown: Maggie Sottero