Featured Wedding | Colleen & Mike

It was September of 2010, and they were both stationed in Mayport, Florida.  Colleen was assigned to USS HUE CITY (CG-66), and Mike was assigned to USS FARRGAGUT (DDG-99).   Mike’s best friend onboard FARRAGUT, Jason  was attending a Navy training course and Colleen happened to be in his class.  One day after class Jason said “Mikey, you have to meet this girl in my class… you guys would really hit it off.”

At this point Mike was a little skeptical of meeting this girl, but from what Jason told him, it sounded like they could at least have some fun together.  The following day Mike made up an excuse to go visit the school house so Jason could introduce him to Colleen.  They chatted for a little bit, and then went to breakfast with a group of about 8 others.  Mike sat next to Colleen and she spent the next 40 plus minutes grilling him on everything from his background to his political views… it might as well have been the Spanish Inquisition.  Although her questioning made Mike feel slightly uncomfortable, he gutted it out because Colleen was very witty, funny, engaging, and she had the prettiest smile and the most beautiful green eyes.

 

After breakfast Mike asked Colleen if she played golf.  She said, “YEP, my clubs are in my trunk!”  Mike was smitten with her response… he thought she was joking because she said it with a smirk and a little twinkle in her eye.  So Mike asked, “Well… how about you skip the rest of your training this afternoon and we play golf instead?”  Colleen’s response was an immediate “yes!”   They played golf that afternoon and had an awkward first kiss on the 18th hole.  Mike drove the cart a little crazy in hopes Colleen would hold onto him, but all he got from his crazy golf cart driving were a couple brushings of their shoulders and knees, and more than a few critical looks and raised eye brows from Colleen.

 

Mike flew in from San Diego to see Colleen and cooked her an amazing lamb dinner.  After dinner they went for a walk on the beach where Mike got down on one knee and proposed to which Colleen once again said “Yes!”

 

This featured wedding took place at Brittland Estates. Eastern Shore Tents & Events supplied their rentals.

Featured Wedding | Alice & Matt

How did he propose?

On New Year’s Day 2012!  We threw a NYE party the evening before. He said he wanted to take me to dinner on new years day to bring in the new year.  When I was getting ready he stayed downstairs to watch TV.  I came downstairs and the lights were down, candles were lit, and I had no clue what was about to happen.  He was so nervous it was so sweet.  He came over, got down on one knee, said that I make him so happy and he’d like to spend the rest of his life with me.  He proposed I said YES! He had made dinner reservations at the restaurant we went to on our first date.

 

What was the theme for your wedding?

Finding the perfect theme that reflected Matt and I as a couple took awhile.  I wanted something that encompassed us as individuals and a couple, unique, yet classy.  I perused countless online blogs and Pinterest boards – I remember staying up late at night just searching around.  During my search, I found many Barn and Vintage-styled weddings – they seemed to be trending a lot.  We actually did visit a site that had a barn; however, it was a little too country for us.  The vintage-style weddings were a little too eclectic.  It wasn’t until I saw one specific element in a California mountain-side wedding that I knew exactly what the theme was.  That element was a centerpiece in a wooden flower box with peach, ivory and sage-colored flowers.  I remember thinking it was beautiful and exactly what Matt and I are!  Matt is casual, laid back, outdoorsy guy, while I enjoy clean, classic, traditional elements, which is when I coined the term “casual elegance” for our wedding.

What wedding venue did you choose?

Brittland Manor Estates.  The venue was probably one of the most important elements for us.  We wanted something that reflected us as a couple while capturing the vision for the wedding.   Once the theme “casual elegance” was set, the next step was to find the venue that would capture the look.  It took us about 3 months of searching to find the perfect venue.  During that time, we visited about 10 sites all around the DC metro area, from the vineyards of the Virginia Shenandoah region to the waterfront properties at Eastern Shore Maryland and everything in between.  I stumbled upon Brittland Manor Estate one day on a blog, and I absolutely fell in love with the pictures of the site.  We booked an appointment right away.  I know this sounds cliche, but we knew it was “the place” as soon as we drove onto the property.  It encompassed everything that was Matt and I, and I knew it would be the perfect vessel to bring my vision to fruition.  The historic waterfront is secluded on 530 acres of riverside property with breathtaking views of the Chester River and appropriately manicured lawns and gardens that created a very organic outdoor setting.  It reflects a vintage luxury feel both in the exterior and interior.  The venue also offered a beautiful and romantic backdrop with its architecture and traditional design.  An additional bonus was the 11 bedrooms inside the Manor that worked perfectly for us, and our family to relax and really get to know each other.

What are your top 3 tips for future brides?

1. For your theme, think about what best reflects you as a couple and individuals and incorporate those elements throughout the wedding. Your guests will enjoy all the personable elements!

2. Don’t be afraid of mixing elements!  There are many beautiful weddings that have one type of flower or one type of linen and tables throughout the wedding.  Don’t be afraid to mix and match those elements to give your wedding a unique feel to it!

3. Strongly consider hiring a day-of coordinator for the Wedding.  It’s well worth the money to have someone there who will help you execute the vision and manage the timeline, making the day completely stress-free for you and your husband.

This featured wedding took place at Brittland Estates. The photography was done by Rodney Bailey and the flowers & decorations done by Intrigue Design & Decor. An Extraordinar Limousine provided the transportation. 

Featured Wedding | Gina & Chris

How did you meet?

We met by playing social sports in Baltimore.  Gina was playing on a team with teachers she worked with and the team needed a few guys.  One of Chris’s friends was recruited to play on the team for softball and he brought Chris along for football season.  We hit it off instantly and made a date at Camden Yards and M & T Bank stadium.

How did Chris propose?

We took a long weekend trip to Maine.  We had been there once before and decided when we returned we were going to watch the sun rise on Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park.  This is the first place in the United States you can see the sun rise.  Naturally, we added it to our bucket list.  We got up there and it was very dark and we waited for the sun to rise…as it began to rise, he proposed!  Then we sat and watched together afterwards.

What is your wedding theme?

Baseball!  We based our colors off of the Orioles and Red Sox- navy with splashes of orange.  We linked baseball connections throughout the day.  Ceremony- the ring bearer carried a glove with a baseball pillow to hold the rings.  One of the junior bridesmaids carried a white with red flowers (to resemble stitching) pomander ball.  The Prayer of the Faithful mentioned sports.  When we exited the church our bridal party held up bats!  We had crackerjacks and peanuts in baggies for the guests when they arrived to Ripken Stadium.

What are some of your décor details?

Section #s as table #s, different team pennants for each table, baseballs with heart stitching, crackerjacks, peanuts, water bottles with team labels, flip flop baskets that said “for your dancing feet” for guests to change into, bathroom baskets, personalized baseball bat, baseballs with our wedding date, homeplate for guests to sign

Where are you going on your honeymoon?

This was a surprise!  I did not find out until we were getting on the plane to our final destination…SAINT MARTEN!!!

This featured wedding took place at Ripken Stadium. The photography was done by Kathleen Hertel Photography and the flowers done by Simply Grand Florals & Event Design. ZBest Limousine  provided the transportation.

TIPS FROM THE PROS | Featuring – Desserts by Mae

The best way to get exactly what you want from your vendor is to ask the right questions.  For example ask your baker if they will personally transport the cake/desserts to your event or have they worked with your venue before? Many vendors have standard packages, but are they willing to customize their services to meet the bride’s needs.  Asking the right questions will give you a better idea of how your vendor operates and it will allow them to understand what is important to you and your fiancé.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words so sharing a photograph of your vision on your wedding day is the best way to show your vendor exactly what you would like. Showing pictures with examples will help your vendor meet your expectations on your wedding day.

Bring your fiancé to the tasting, not all soon to be grooms attend catering and dessert tastings.  This is important for the vendors to meet the couple together to get an idea of what they both would like to have on their wedding day.  After all the groom needs to like the cake & desserts too!

– Desserts by Mae