Baltimore Streetcar Museum

I'm helping some neighbors plan their wedding in a few short weeks. When speaking about a location they wanted something close to Stone Hill that had charm for days. Somehow after our first meeting I thought about the Baltimore Streetcar Museum. It was miraculously available and the brides loved the idea. It was even very significant to their Baltimore story. More about them soon in another post.

The museum is run fully by volunteers and is one of a kind. If you drive down Falls Road to or from Hampden I'm certain you have passed it. 

When E. and I went to New Orleans, we took the trolley everywhere. It was such a great tourist attraction and the conductors were the best resource for restaurant recommendations.

My brides loved the idea of actually getting married in the trolley with all of their guests. I went to do a site inspection to find the right trolley. #6199 was one option. For a group of 55 this car would be nice, but didn't seem right. It is one of two heated options for their winter wedding.

This open carriage was beautiful with its turned wood details, but not a good choice in the chilly month of December.

Finally, like Goldilocks finding the perfect fit, my guides showed me the Carey Street trolley from the 1900s. The craftsmanship on this puppy is impeccable. The rattan seats, rose stained-glass windows, Edison light bulbs and old-timey arrival bells just hit all sorts of high marks.

Plus the seats flip.

Jerry Kelly is my contact at the museum and enlightened me about it. Please watch the quick video to hear more about this historic and significant car to Baltimore.

The brass details were beautiful.

The poor conductors must have frozen to death.

The seats are miraculously well preserved and very comfortable.

The heart details put me over the edge. 

The rose colored glass was used to help the people who couldn't read find the right train. 

The volunteers were indeed fixing the breaks underneath the car as I was filming the video. 

The trolley will take our guests down the line for a fifteen minute ride. Can you imagine twinkle lights all aglow? It is such a perfect, unique venue for an intimate wedding. Inside we will have 50 guests seated for dinner and dancing. I have loved having purpose helping my friends and can't wait to post more photos about this process of planning their wedding in six weeks. 

We have so much to be thankful for this week. My husband has a new job in Baltimore just two miles from our home. The commute to DC was too much and he decided to take care of his health by leaving his job. Little did we know I would get laid off one month after his departure. As I've said here and here it has been hard. We were blessed with five months of LOTS of togetherness at Stone Hill, both searching for jobs. We learned so much about each other and are much better communicators on the other end of this journey. We were very close to moving from our beloved Baltimore to New York City. We are so happy to be staying in Charm City. I can't thank Elizabeth Duncan enough for allowing me to help her part-time at her events firm in DC as I continue to look for something full-time in Baltimore. Do let me know if you want to take advantage of Question 6 passing. I seem to be getting many leads for the LGBT crowd and couldn't be more honored. Hoping you all had a joyous Thanksgiving weekend and look forward to a holy Advent. God continues to bless us and keep us in the palm of His hand. Thank you all for your continued prayers, support and for continuing to visit this blog.

Rusty Love Vintage Rentals

My sweet friend Janelle invited me to join her at the opening of Rusty Love last week in Cockeysville, Maryland. She wrote a great piece on the event for her Baltimore Bride Blog Hitched, here. I swear I didn't steal her photos, we just shot so many of the same tempting details. Sorry for the poor quality photos. I tried to be low key and only used my iPhone.

We were welcomed by a plethora of teeny tiny cupcakes upon arrival. 

I've enjoyed speaking with the owner Angela this week, doing some research for a New Years Eve wedding. This antique rental concept is so brilliant. It makes me wanna punch myself asking, yet again, why didn't I think of this!

I've been collecting old camera's for years and love the idea of a staged photo booth with old cameras as extra props. So many of these items could be found in my darling mother's basement, or at our lake house for that matter. You used to be able to dig for old bottles in the bank at Lake Michigan. Now I'm seeing them everywhere on table displays. Eric and I just reclaimed his grandmother's trunks and suitcases. How fun to use them as an end table for a cocktail party grouping! Too bad we left Jessie's suitcases on the porch, in the rain. I don't think our guests would enjoy a side of mold with their mojito!

While working in Brooklyn with this gem of a gal, my favorite detail was using an old window to write love notes and poems in white paint pen where the guest book rested.

I met Carla David at this party a few years ago and loved seeing her incredibly creative and beautiful papers throughout the party.

 

Angela has mismatched chairs and farm tables as well as tufted chaise loungers for groupings.

We met so many wonderful vendors, but a highlight for me was meeting the maker and creator of the best vegan donut I've ever tasted! Abby Cobb from Dudley's Desserts makes dairy-free, Vegan & specialty sweets! I was too stoned off of the cinnamon donuts to remember but I believe she even has the option for gluten free treats...be still my heart.

I spy vegan whoopie pies. Every bride's dream I'm guessing.

Rent a pew

It was a girly, paper porn extravaganza back at my office when I returned home to asses the calorie damage and collection of great contacts.

Thank you so much Janelle for such a fun night out. It was so great to meet so many people I had hear about from you and others in our fun industry. Thank you Angela. I truly hope we can work together soon.

Amanda and Susannah's Wedding

We attended the most wonderful wedding this past Sunday at Oregon Ridge Park. Susannah and Amanda could not have asked for a more beautiful day. They wanted everyone to surround them as they reaffirmed their vows and whoop whooped hurrah as wife and wife. If the weather and the occasion were not enough to make you smile, the day was even more historic because we just passed the Marriage Equality Act on Tuesday in Maryland. It will be legal for gay couples to marry in Maryland, by popular vote, on January 1, 2013. One of my book club besties, Janelle, wrote a wonderful post about their legal wedding in September in New York state here for Baltimore Bride's Hitched section. This ceremony was for their local friends to enjoy but seemed even more meaningful with Question 6 passing in this past election.

It was a true celebration and I cry just thinking about it. I remember when the girls first got engaged. I noticed Susannah's ring while I was shopping for chocolate, at her boutique Ma Petite Shoe, and asked if she was engaged. She squealed yes and the wedding planner in me got excited and told them to reach out to me if they needed anything.  I listened to them talk about a woodsy theme. Amanda wanted her brother to help them create wood buffet platters for each table. They wanted a wedding cake made out of cheese and wonderful farmers market foods. They both have such a defined style and I can honestly say their vision was realized so beautifully in all the details. We were so honored to be included in the festivities. I hadn't heard boo about any wedding help until ten minutes before the big event. They were so laid back about everything and ten minutes prior I got a call from Susannah. She asked if I could help make sure people knew where to go outside for the wedding. For the last few months I've been working for a dear friend helping as a day-of planner for her wedding firm. I was game and ready to help sweet Susannah and Amanda on their big day and got into action immediately. 

Charlie knew more people than I did and found friends to visit with outside as the people gathered. 

Here comes the brides!

Love

The reception and dinner was inside the lodge at Oregon Ridge Park. As you entered, guests were greeted with a gift made especially by Amanda, who is a ceramic artist.

The faux bois dessert plates were all signed with their wedding date and a note that we should eat dessert first. Good plan. Every guest left with a plate as a memento from this wonderful occasion.

There were hand stitched linens with the girls names and wedding date. How awesome is that detail?!!

 

The food was all catered by Neopol from the Waverly Farmers Market and Clementine's restaurant in Hamilton. The smoked hummus and pates were also served in handmade faux bois containers made by the bride! I was best friends with Cristin from Clementine's by the end of the afternoon. She is so good at what she does and the food was outstanding. My mouth is watering thinking about the brisket and beet salad.

The lodge was decked out with cosy retro pillows, gourds, paper mushrooms and votives. There was a great camp vibe and the atmosphere felt warmer than a toasted marshmallow. 

Susannah had a second dress for the party to show off her smokin' hot legs and fancy dancing shoes! I think gold Mary Jane's fit the occasion perfectly.

Amanda's wish came true and her brother helped fashion the wood runners and buffet tables.

The cheese cake was so original and was devoured by the end of the party.

My favorite part of the day had to be the square dancing. The caller was too cute for words and showed off his flare from states where he had "called" competitions.

I need more square dancing in my life. The dosey doh's of job searching just drifted away watching everyone have such a great time. My face hurt from smiling too much. I was so in love with this wedding!!!

Finally, the cake topper was made by an artist friend to look exactly like the brides and their dog Chino. See Janelle's part two post here where you will recognize many of the photos. 

Ladies, thank you for including us in your amazing day. I'm so happy your vision came together so beautifully and that you had the most glorious weather. Oh Susannah, thank you for the hand delivery of the invitation to Stone Hill. Oh how I wish I could have busted you sneaking around the front porch for delivery! Lots of love and best wishes for your continued happiness. Shana and Alexis, we need to get started if you really are planning your wedding for New Years Eve. Call me.