Are you looking for a hotel in Baltimore that will lend a polished look to your getting ready photos on the morning of your wedding and has a boutique, luxe feel?

Here are my top 5, in no particular order:

1. Four Seasons

2. Sagamore Pendry

3. Canopy Harbor Point

4. Hotel Revival

5. The Ivy Hotel

…annnnd a BONUS! Hotel Ulysses, a boutique hotel in Mt. Vernon that I haven’t been to yet but I’ve seen tons of people checking – their space looks sooooo unique and memorable.

All of these hotels have modern finishes, furniture and design (with a touch of whimsy, art + retro vibes at Revival and an eclectic, old-world feel at The Ivy) with tons of natural light in their rooms!

WONDERING Which spots would work well for A first look and portraits BEFORE ceremony?

• Since the Four Seasons is along the promenade that overlooks the harbor, you’ll have the Baltimore city skyline in the background of your photos AND Domino sugar if you turn the other way. The Four Seasons terrace also works well as long it’s not too windy!

• The Sagamore Pendry has endless opportunities for portraits in the courtyard, on the pool deck, on the balcony overlooking Broadway Pier (if you book a suite with a balcony!) or in the heart of Fells as you step outside… so many options!

• Canopy at Harbor Point is also right on the promenade; near Frederick Douglass Maritime Park, it has a terraced green space on one side and floor-to-ceiling glass walls next door at the Morgan Stanley building that provide a beautiful modern backdrop for photos.

Hotel Revival is in the heart of Mt. Vernon, at the end of Mt. Vernon park, a short walk from the Washington Monument. This charming, boutique hotel has a lobby staircase full of colorful and whimsical wallpaper and a mid-century modern vibe to the lobby furniture that both provide very photogenic spaces to use for photos inside. Outdoors, Mt. Vernon Park is right there with tons of historic brownstones, shady tree-lined sidewalks and cobblestoned streets that all make for beautiful portraits of the two of you and your wedding party and families!

The Ivy Hotel is an absolute hidden gem in Baltimore’s Mt. Vernon neighborhood. With world-class hospitality, sophisticated charm, playful elegance and chic metropolitan vibes, it is hands down, my favorite historic mansion in Baltimore. The Conservatory and private courtyard garden are both incredibly lush, romantic and relaxing all at once — you can’t go wrong with seeing your partner for your first look in either of these spaces!

Pro tip: make sure you have enough room for all of your VIPs to fit comfortably with you (a suite can help!) AND that you feel at ease in the place you’re getting ready — it sets the tone for the rest of the day!

Let me know any questions you have about the getting ready portion of a wedding day below in the comments! It’s one of my favorite parts of the day — so many great candids and fun memories!