JZ & Ben’s Wedding

at The National Aquarium

Contributing Vendors:

Photographers:

William Petruzzo

Felipe Sanchez

What You’re About to See

This blog entry is about JZ & Ben’s wedding at the National Aquarium, a gorgeous and unique venue that separates the photography pros from the weekend warriors. It’s beautiful, moody, predictably challenging, and extremely shiny. JZ & Ben knew all that, and leaned into it perfectly. This is a place that already meant something to them, and built a day that felt all their own around it. A lot of structure, a little chaos, some careful planning, and a dog named Bunsen who mostly ignored all of it. From the first look by the lighthouse to the reception under a suspended sculpture that looks like it belongs in another galaxy, everything came together piece by piece. Below you’ll find more than 200 images from JZ & Ben’s wedding at the National Aquarium, along with the story of how everything came together, what worked, what didn’t and maybe a few things you’ll want to think about yourself if you’re planning to hold an event here.

Just take me to the photos!

Meet the Vendors

About the Location

The National Aquarium

501 E Pratt St,
Baltimore, MD 21202

Locaton Type:

Event Venue, Museum

Night view of the National Aquarium in Baltimore featuring a striking glass pyramid roof, a red walkway bridge, and a waterway bordered by tall grasses and wooden posts in the foreground.

It started with an email in early October. A short, direct inquiry. They’d found me through some of my previous work at the National Aquarium, which, if you’ve ever tried to photograph inside that building, you know it is both a compliment and a maybe a little bit of a threat. For a photographer that is proud of their technical prowess, it’s like a kindergarten dare posing as ecological conservation.

JZ and Ben were already in love with the space. As Baltimoreans, it’s something familiar to them. A place they actually spend time together. A living ecosystem made metaphor. It’s part of why it suited them so well. Plus, if you’ve done some shopping around for wedding venues yourself, you’d discover that it’s also a lot more affordable than you might imagine, as far as event venues go.

For me, it mattered in a different way. The Aquarium is a technical obstacle course for photographers. The architecture is gorgeous, but brutal. The light moves around you instead of with you and almost never goes where you expect. Everything interesting enough to point a camera at is also reflective enough to ruin your shot. So, naturally, I love it. You can’t fake competence in the Aquarium. You either know what you’re doing or you don’t.

In January, we did a walkthrough with Kimberly from the Aquarium’s events team. This place rewards preparation. Every level has its quirks—light conditions that are radically different from one corridor to the next. Access paths that seem almost labyrinthian at first. Exhibits that need to be protected—a genuinely important point, too, because this place is an institution of conservation first, and an event space second. It’s all part of what makes the Aquarium so interesting to work in. It’s less treasure-hunt and more tide chart.

And there was a subtle pressure for me, too. A good kind. They told me from the jump that they’d chosen me because of my earlier Aquarium work. That’s flattering, but it also meant I couldn’t just show up and deliver “good enough.” I felt a need to make something that builds on my experiences in that space that came before. So, that’s how we got here: a couple who cared about their story, a venue with a playbook numbered in volumes, not pages, and me with something to prove to myself.

Arrival

Felipe and I pulled into downtown Baltimore around three in the afternoon. The aquarium doesn’t have on-site parking for anyone including vendors. So we parked in the garage across the street. We hauled our gear through the Inner Harbor. Tourists everywhere, seagulls overhead. Me, wondering whether I packed too much or not enough (It was too much; I always pack too much).

We stopped by Pier 5 Hotel where the wedding party was getting ready. Felipe and I did a quick scout for a first-look location. The light wasn’t bad. Soft, directional, slipping between trees and buildings. Little things stood out since the last time I was there: how the crowd moved, where the shadows were casting, how the reflections were hitting the glass at different angles. The Aquarium asserts itself in the middle of it all. We popped in to say hello.

A group of men in suits, one in a white suit, stand indoors at the Pier 5 Hotel having a lively conversation; one person is gesturing with his hand during the wedding's First Look.

A woman in a green dress holds a young girl in a pink dress and bow while sharing a heartfelt moment with a man in a white jacket during a wedding First Look at Pier 5 Hotel.

Two men in suits descend indoor stairs, heading to a Pier 5 Hotel wedding first look—one in a light gray suit with an orange tie, the other in white with a green tie. Two women and a child are visible in the background at the top of the stairs.

By 3:30 Felipe and I were at the staff entrance on Pier 3, dropping off reception gear and meeting Derek, the Aquarium’s event’s coordinator, for access. There’s a sort of finality when dropping off gear like that. Like handing luggage to an airline attendant. You better hope your wallet isn’t in there cause you’re not getting that luggage back until you land in Albuquerque, and you’re really going to want to impulse buy an immersion blender at the duty free shop.

The First Look

We got back to the hotel just before four. The plan we’d scouted out earlier was to walk out to the little park at the end of the pier — the one with the Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse behind it. It’s nice out there; quiet by Baltimore standards, and a lot less foot traffic.

For the first look, we decided on a back-to-back reveal. Most weddings treat that moment like a small performance: one person stands, the other approaches, there’s a tap on the shoulder, everyone gets emotional on cue. But that setup makes assumptions about who’s supposed to approach who, who’s supposed to turn, who’s supposed to react, who’s being “seen.” It works fine most of the time, but for JZ and Ben it wasn’t the right fit.

Three men in suits, one in white and two in gray, walk outside on a brick pathway near Pier 5 Hotel for a Wedding First Look, with city buildings and other people in the background.

A man in a black suit and peach tie stands outdoors at Pier 5 Hotel, buttoning his jacket during a First Look, with a red building and greenery in the background.

They wanted something mutual. Equal. The emotional weight of that moment didn’t belong to one of them more than the other. So after batting around a few ideas, we decided to set them up back-to-back. They counted down together, and turned around at the same time. The emotion hit in stereo—same breath, same pause, same everything.

Two men stand back to back outdoors during a wedding first look; one wears a white suit, the other a black suit. Trees and greenery surround them, with the Pier 5 Hotel in the background.

Two men in suits, one in white and one in black, stand back to back outdoors near a red lighthouse and trees at Pier 5 Hotel, sharing a special First Look on their wedding day under cloudy skies.

Two men in suits—one in white, one in black—share a heartfelt hug outdoors in front of green bushes and trees, capturing a touching First Look moment on their wedding day in Baltimore.

Two men, one in a white suit and one in a black suit, share a wedding embrace outdoors near a tree, with the Pier 5 Hotel's red building visible in the background.

For a second, the whole harbor seemed to hold still. Just them, a little wind, some light bouncing off the water. Then someone laughed, and the day started moving again.

Family, Bunsen, and Building Momentum

Right after the first look, around 4:15, we started on family groupings in the same spot. The light was mostly steady, filtered through a forgiving haze in the sky. You could feel everyone starting to relax. The pre-ceremony nerves were still there, but diluted by emotional energy and the usual family commentary about who should stand where. We kept the Lighthouse in the back for the family photos.

Five people dressed in formal attire pose outside the National Aquarium in Baltimore. The group, attending a wedding, includes three men in suits and two women in green dresses, smiling at the camera while two hold bouquets.

Four people in formal attire stand outdoors, smiling and talking as if posing for wedding portraits. Three wear dark green, one a white suit, with a bouquet in hand.

A group of eleven people dressed formally, including a bride holding a child, pose outdoors on grass in Baltimore with city buildings and the National Aquarium’s red structure in the background.

A group of eight adults and one child, dressed formally, pose closely together and smile for a photo outdoors at a wedding in Baltimore.

Then came Bunsen—JZ & Ben’s dog, who immediately shifted the tone from structured to, well, something less than that. We turned them toward the Aquarium for that shot, Bunsen wasn’t allowed in the Aquarium (and he probably wouldn’t have liked it anyway). Bunsen looked everywhere except the camera, which is to say, perfectly on brand.

Two men, one in a white suit and one in a black suit, share a First Look at Pier 5 Hotel as they hold the leash of a large black dog near the waterfront, with city buildings forming the backdrop.

Two men in suits, one white and one black, pet a large black, brown, and white dog on a paved path in Baltimore’s urban outdoor setting.

Two men, one in a white suit and one in a black suit, kneel outside on a path for their wedding First Look, smiling and petting a large Bernese Mountain Dog. Baltimore’s buildings and water are visible in the background.

We finished up with Bunsen and watched as a groomsman walked him off into the distance. Family photos were finished, and it was time to move into a less structured round of portraits with the wedding party.

The Harbor Walk Wedding Party Session

From about 4:15 to 5:00, we made our way toward the Aquarium with the whole wedding party in tow. That stretch of the harbor is this odd mix of industrial and picturesque. Steel, glass, water. The occasional tourist trying to figure out what’s happening. We stopped near The USCGC Taney on Pier 6 for some photos while the light was particularly cooperative. The contrast there works: maritime metal and sharp lines against soft fabric and wedding colors. Its cool.

Eight men in suits stand on a brick walkway in front of a white ship with the number 37, surrounded by Baltimore city buildings, near the National Aquarium—perfect for a wedding photo op.

A man in a white suit stands in front of a group of people in formal attire by a docked ship marked with the number 37 in Baltimore. The black and white image resembles vintage portraits by the harbor.

Two men in suits hold hands and kiss on a dock beside a large white ship marked 37, with the National Aquarium and city skyline in the background—capturing heartfelt wedding portraits in an urban harbor setting.

From there, we wandered the Harbor Bridge Walk. It’s a constant dance with foot traffic. People are parting around the group, some waving, a few cheering. Some wondering if they’re going to ruin a wedding if they accidentally walk in front of the camera. “No, you’re fine, go ahead”, I probably said 400 times in 15 minutes. Then we hit the Marine Mammal Pavilion. That’s where the architecture starts to feel almost like a modern cathedral—huge round windows, curves, sculptures. It’s a very cool spot, and also the building where JZ & Ben would be celebrating their reception in a few hours.

Two men in suits, one black and one white, hold hands and walk beside a colorful mural on an urban sidewalk—capturing stylish portraits reminiscent of a wedding day near the vibrant scenes by the National Aquarium.

Eight people pose in suits by a waterfront in Baltimore, with modern buildings and the National Aquarium in the background. One wears a black suit while the others wear gray suits with coral ties.

A wedding party poses on concrete steps in front of a modern building with geometric designs in Baltimore. Four women in green dresses, three men in suits, and one man in a white suit hold bouquets for group portraits.

A wedding party poses on concrete steps outside the National Aquarium in Baltimore; the group includes people in green dresses, grey suits with pink ties, and one person in a white suit with a red tie, against a modern building background.

A group of people, some in graduation gowns, stand on steps outside a modern concrete building with red and glass architectural features in Baltimore.

A wedding party poses outdoors in Baltimore; the grooms stand in the center, surrounded by attendants in gray suits with pink ties and green dresses, with cityscape portraits and the National Aquarium in the background.

Two men in suits, one in black and one in white, stand together on a modern pedestrian bridge in Baltimore, with glass buildings and the National Aquarium visible in the urban background.

By then, the group had loosened up completely. The posing turned into joking, the joking turned into movement, and the movement turned into energy that photographs really well. We probably could have spent all of our time out there, but we were on a deadline to get inside for the much more challenging and regimented part of the wedding day portraits.

Entering the Aquarium

We stepped inside right at five, and the vibe changed instantly. The harbor’s noisy chatter gave way to a distinct hush. Like stepping into a church. Our first stop was beneath the finback-whale skeleton in Blacktip Reef. The skeleton—known as “Omega”—is an original specimen about 58 feet long. The whale was caught in the Atlantic off New England in 1883, its bones prepared for display, and later moved to Baltimore in 1979 on permanent loan from the New York State Museum. It’s very big, and very cool, and also really awkward trying to fit it into a shot with 16 people.

We ran two angles on the full wedding party. One angle from the overhead walkway, pulled back to get the full scale of the room. The other angle, closer and wide angle, to catch the faces. Inside the Aquarium, the light behaves differently. It doesn’t come from anywhere; it just sort of exists. So we lit the group with a single light behind an umbrella, and the whale with a separate light held by a very helpful wedding guest on the next floor up. Neither of these hero shots were ‘traditional portraiture’, but they were both very interesting portraiture.

A group of people stands by the edge of a large indoor aquarium at Baltimore’s National Aquarium, with a suspended skeleton model of a marine animal above and various fish and coral visible in the clear water below.

A wedding party poses indoors at the National Aquarium in front of a dinosaur skeleton exhibit; the group includes people in gray suits with orange ties and green dresses, centered around two grooms. Perfect for memorable wedding portraits.

From there, we started descending into the Atlantic Coral Reef. The only light in this area comes from the tanks, and the deeper you go the darker everything gets, and turns a deep blue. Guests lower their voices without being told to. The space makes an unspoken appeal for reverence, like a library. It’s also the most relentless challenging part of the entire building to photograph. You have to balance handheld light with incredibly dim ambient light, and you have to find an angle where the reflection doesn’t blind the image (or, more realistically, where the reflection can be tastefully removed later). It’s a slow and deliberate dance — and at least a little stressful. There were divers in the tank while we were making our way down and a few of them made their way into our photos.

A wedding party poses for portraits indoors at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, with two grooms in white and black suits and attendants in grey suits and green dresses holding bouquets before massive aquarium tanks.

Couple Portraits

Once we cut the wedding party loose around six, it was just JZ & Ben, Felipe and I, moving through the aquarium with Felipe running handheld light. That’s the Aquarium rule—no stands, no flashes on tripods—everything has to stay mobile while guests are still inside. It sounds limiting, but it actually helps keep you nimble and conscious of the surroundings and opportunities.

We started this next round of photos near the bubble tubes by the entrance to Blacktip Reef. The shapes and textures there are kinetic — pulsing and modern, intimate even.

Two men in suits, one in white and one in black, stand and lean against large illuminated blue columns at the National Aquarium in a modern indoor setting.

Two men in suits stand close together, smiling and touching foreheads, surrounded by blue light and translucent panels in a scene reminiscent of wedding portraits at the National Aquarium.

Then we circled back to the whale skeleton. Same subject, but this time from the second story with more emphasis on the couple. The earlier shots had been about scale and symmetry, these were more grounded and personal.

Two men in suits share a tender moment in front of a large whale skeleton display with blue neon lights, creating striking wedding portraits in a modern Baltimore museum setting.

Next we stopped by the waterfall at the entrance next. This room is lit by the building’s giant glass façade and these were some of our only shots indoors that were naturally lit — though we did dunk a flash in the water to light up the river tank at the bottom of the falls.

Two men in formal suits share a kiss while standing inside a brightly lit, stainless steel elevator, capturing wedding portraits.

Two men stand close together in front of a large indoor rock waterfall and aquarium at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, both dressed in suits—one white, one black—with lush greenery and shimmering water behind them.

Two men wearing suits hold hands and look at each other, standing in front of the National Aquarium's indoor waterfall with rocks and greenery—a beautiful setting for wedding portraits.

The Wild Extremes walkway was next—a narrow bridge suspended over the wetlands. Long leading lines, and repeating window patterns make this scene feel part conservation part airport terminal. Finally, we wrapped up at the giant suspended sculpture outside Jellies Invasion. It’s this glowing, surreal installation that looks half organic, half digital, and comes to life in a bizarre way when you shoot light up through the bottom of it.

Two men, dressed in black and white suits, share a kiss in a brightly lit walkway with red pillars and informational signs above—capturing wedding portraits filled with love and joy.

Two people walk down an enclosed hallway with large windows and red frames at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, heading toward a sign with directions.

Two people in suits stand together indoors beneath an art installation of suspended, colorful jellyfish-like sculptures under a glass ceiling—capturing unique wedding portraits in the heart of Baltimore.

Ceremony in the Glass Atrium

The ceremony started at 7:15 in the Aquarium’s glass atrium overlooking the harbor. By then, the light outside was fading fast into that gentle blue stage between daylight and night. City reflections were starting to appear in the glass. The overhead lights beginning to overtake the light natural light coming in from the window. It’s actually a tricky time to be shooting indoors anywhere. But, what the Aquarium’s atrium lacks in idealized lighting conditions, it makes up for in grandeur.

A group of people seated in rows of chairs in a modern, glass-roofed atrium at the National Aquarium, facing forward as if waiting for a ceremony to begin.

A clear podium with a microphone stands in front of large windows overlooking Baltimore’s city skyline and waterfront—perfect for sharing wedding details or heartfelt speeches.

Guests settled in, the sound dropped to a low murmur. One by one JZ & Ben’s wedding party of formidable size walked up the aisle. JZ and Ben took their places. I positioned myself with a long lens toward the back of the room and Felipe positioned himself up front with a wider lens.

A man in a suit with a boutonniere walks indoors, smiling with hands clasped, under soft lighting at a wedding ceremony, with green-covered tables in the background.

A man in a suit walks down the aisle at a same sex wedding, while seated guests watch and smile in a modern, glass-roofed venue reminiscent of the National Aquarium.

A man in a light gray suit walks down the aisle between seated guests at a same sex ceremony held indoors beneath a modern glass ceiling in Baltimore.

A woman in a green dress holding a bouquet of flowers stands indoors at a ceremony in Baltimore, looking ahead with a neutral expression.

A man in a suit stands among a seated crowd at a same-sex ceremony, eyes closed and smiling slightly, in a black-and-white indoor setting.

A woman in a green dress holds a bouquet of pink and white flowers, standing indoors at a same sex ceremony in Baltimore with blurred lights in the background.

A man in a white suit walks arm in arm with two women in red dresses indoors at the National Aquarium, with a landscape image displayed on monitors in the background.

A man in a white suit walks down an aisle between seated and standing guests in formal attire at a stunning, glass-ceilinged Baltimore wedding venue.

Two people in red embrace in the center of a modern indoor venue at the National Aquarium in Baltimore as guests, some standing and some seated, watch during a formal wedding event.

Their vows came with a few laughs and a lot of sincerity. The moment very much belonged to these two. The ceremony ended. They walked out together through a narrow aisle of family and friends, everyone clapping, a little flash of adrenaline as they stopped for a kiss in the aisle. Outside, the harbor lights were fully up and pouring through the glass wall behind them.

A man in a white suit stands at a wedding ceremony in Baltimore, smiling, while people in suits and formal attire look on.

A man in a suit and glasses holds a microphone and reads from a piece of paper, addressing another man in a white jacket during a same sex ceremony at an indoor event with people in the background.

A man in a white suit and glasses speaks into a microphone at an event at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, with blurred people in the foreground.

Two women smiling together at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, capturing a joyful moment at a beautiful wedding.

Two men, one in a white suit and the other in a dark suit, share a kiss at their Baltimore wedding ceremony, while a person holding a bouquet stands nearby.

Two men in suits, one in white and one in black, stand side by side smiling and waving with raised arms in a celebratory manner near Baltimore’s National Aquarium, celebrating their same sex union.

Two grooms share a kiss at the front of their Baltimore wedding ceremony, surrounded by seated guests and breathtaking city skyline views through large windows.

Post-Ceremony Portrait & Cocktail Hour Tour

After the ceremony ended around we headed straight to the shark-mouth fossil just outside the atrium. We’d done photos with Ben’s family earlier in the day, but for pragmatic reasons we saved photos with JZ’s family for after the ceremony. Family portraits with the fossil are an unofficial tradition at the Aquarium. I have no idea where it came from. It wasn’t my idea, but it’s cute and kind of funny. Plus it’s about 15 feet from where the ceremony takes place, so it’s also practical.

A man in a gray suit and orange tie stands with hands on hips in front of a large display of fossilized jaws with visible sharp teeth at the National Aquarium in Baltimore.

A group of people dressed formally, including two grooms at the center, pose for wedding portraits in front of a large shark jaw exhibit at the National Aquarium.

Everyone wanted to head off to get a drink or explore the Aquarium. We ran through the groupings quickly.

From there, JZ and Ben wandered off for cocktail hour. One of the more compelling things about having a wedding at the Aquarium is that the exhibits are open for guests to browse around unattended. You basically get the whole place to yourself for an hour or so. It’s a unique experience. That’s what JZ & Ben wanted to do for the cocktail hour. A few guests tagged along while they toured the exhibits. The Aquarium feels different when no one else is there. It’s more personal.

At a busy reception at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, a bartender serves drinks, including a can of Coca-Cola, to guests with bottles and mixers visible on the counter.

A group of people dressed formally walk down a hallway at a wedding reception. The person in front wears a shiny dress, and the person beside them, holding a drink, sports a light suit—capturing the joyful atmosphere in Baltimore.

Two men in suits, one in white and one in black, stand closely together near a railing at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, with a large aquarium display behind them—an elegant setting for portraits.

A brown spotted pufferfish swims underwater in the National Aquarium, its fins extended and background slightly blurred, showcasing stunning details.

Two men in suits stand and talk near a large aquarium tank at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, with colorful fish swimming behind them. One man wears an orange tie and boutonniere, hinting at a wedding celebration.

Two people in dark clothing stand closely together, observing fish and coral inside a large aquarium display at a wedding reception in Baltimore.

A man in a white suit with a boutonniere stands beside two people at a wedding reception, smiling and looking at an aquarium display with branches and neon lights in Baltimore.

We did a few more portraits down in the Atlantic Coral Reef, this time without the schedule pressing on us so hard. The shots came out looser, easier. You could tell the hard part was over.

The Reception

The reception kicked off around 8:35 with the grand entrance from the balcony above Jellies Invasion where the reception was taking place. Pulling off coverage of the entrances really needed two photographers — one of us from above, and the other below. Even so, it was tricky. From the guest perspective, it was really cool. Almost royal.

Three people stand on an upper balcony, waving during a reception, surrounded by a ceiling installation of translucent, jellyfish-like sculptures in the modern indoor space of Baltimore’s National Aquarium.

Two men in formal suits embrace by a railing at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, overlooking a busy reception area with hanging decorative elements.

Two men in suits, one in white and one in black, walk together holding hands as newlyweds in a modern Baltimore building with artistic ceiling decorations, celebrating their wedding near the iconic National Aquarium.

A person in a suit walks toward a group of people clapping and cheering at a wedding reception, all shown in motion blur in a monochrome setting.

The first dances happened right after. Ben and his mom, JZ and his moms, and then the two of them together. No spotlight tricks, or rehearsed dips. They were authentic and touching displays of affection that set against the dramatic backdrop of the room’s hanging jellyfish sculpture. Dinner came next, buffet style, followed by toasts near the end. Parents, best mates, a few tears, but mostly laughter.

Two men in suits dance together at a Baltimore wedding in a large, well-lit room, with people watching and colorful decorations hanging from the ceiling.

Two men dressed in suits, one white and one black, smile and embrace while dancing together at their wedding indoors in Baltimore, with soft lighting glowing in the background.

An older woman in a purple dress and a younger man in a white shirt are smiling and dancing together at a wedding reception.

Two people dance together in the center of a room during a wedding reception while a group of guests watch; hanging decorations and a staircase are visible in the background.

At a lively reception in Baltimore, two people dance closely; one in a white suit, the other in a red lace dress with green nail polish. Their faces are not fully visible, capturing an intimate moment at the National Aquarium.

Guests in formal attire serve themselves food from a buffet line at an indoor reception near Baltimore’s National Aquarium.

A plate with grilled meat, stuffed chicken, macaroni and cheese, asparagus, and vegetable salad sits on a green tablecloth in Baltimore—capturing the delicious details of a wedding feast. A white plastic fork rests invitingly on the plate.

A woman in a green dress speaks into a microphone while reading from her phone during a wedding reception.

A person holds up a plastic cup in a toast at a wedding reception, with another cup nearby; the background is out of focus and the image is in black and white.

A man in a gray suit with a boutonniere holds a drink and a phone, smiling while standing in front of a microphone at a wedding reception.

An older woman in a purple dress and a man in a suit stand near a microphone, smiling, at a wedding reception in Baltimore with warm lighting.

A person wearing glasses and a red outfit smiles while standing near a microphone and holding a piece of paper at a wedding reception in Baltimore.

A group of people seated at tables indoors raise drinks in a toast while watching two speakers at the front of the room during a wedding reception at the National Aquarium.

Three-tiered white wedding cake with floral details on a spiral metal stand, displayed on a round table with a pink tablecloth at the National Aquarium against a softly lit background.

Two men stand together smiling at a reception as one, dressed in a black suit, cuts a decorated cake; the other man in a white suit looks on, laughing. The celebration unfolds at the National Aquarium in Baltimore.

At some point in the middle of it all, JZ’s mom’s three-tier cake appeared—a dramatic modern design. I was shocked to hear it was a DIY feature of the day. I’m guessing JZ brought his mom as a ringer on the cake front because it was genuinely stunning. They cut it privately, just the two of them, no big announcement. The music picked up not long after that, and the dance floor never really emptied again.

A man in a light blue shirt dances with a drink in hand at an indoor Baltimore wedding, surrounded by other guests who are also socializing and dancing.

Two men in dress shirts and ties share a laugh at a reception, one with his arm around the other, with a blurred crowd in the background at the National Aquarium in Baltimore.

A man wearing glasses and a white shirt with a peach tie raises his arm and tilts his head back, appearing to celebrate at a lively reception in Baltimore’s National Aquarium.

Five people in colorful outfits stand in a circle at a wedding reception, smiling and raising their hands while looking down at the camera; hanging lights are visible above them.

Two women are dancing enthusiastically indoors at a lively reception, swinging their arms and smiling. Other people are visible in the background under bright lighting, capturing the vibrant spirit of Baltimore.

A group of people in formal attire gather and socialize under a large ceiling installation of translucent jellyfish sculptures at a brightly lit National Aquarium event space in Baltimore.

A man in a gray suit dances enthusiastically at a wedding reception while people around him watch, smile, and clap.

Two men celebrate and embrace on a dance floor surrounded by clapping and cheering guests in formal attire, under hanging decorative elements at a modern Baltimore wedding venue.

A group of people dance and mingle at a Baltimore wedding reception; a woman in a burgundy dress smiles while reaching toward a man in a white shirt.

Two men with raised arms smile and celebrate on the dance floor at a Baltimore wedding reception, surrounded by applauding guests in formal attire at an indoor event.

The night closed with an unusual surprise tune. Something loud and fast. Hardcore or metal that lit up the room, JZ and ben in particular. I couldn’t tell you the song anymore, but it hit exactly right for this crowd, though I’m guessing some of the older guests who’d stuck around all night were confused.

Departure

We packed up just after midnight. Tired from conducting the photography orchestra all day. By then, the Aquarium was basically empty. Just some staff from SSA Group finishing up. Stepping outside, the harbor had gone completely still. The same place that had been buzzing ten hours or so earlier now felt suspended. There were still festive lights decorating trees outside.

Night view of the National Aquarium in Baltimore, with a blue sign in the foreground and the building beautifully illuminated by exterior lights.

The exterior of the National Aquarium in Baltimore at night, with illuminated trees and glowing building signage, creates a captivating cityscape.

On the walk back to the car, I stopped for a few last frames of the Aquarium lit up against the urban backdrop. Long exposures make the world look dreamy. The building looked like it was ready for bed, too. It’s a hard thing to explain, but when a space holds that much movement all day, the silence afterward really does feel earned.

And that was it. Just the sound of the water, distant traffic, and Felipe and I high-fiving our way back to parking garage. We were off to get some Slurpees and 711 taquitos to celebrate a challenging, but successful wedding day.