Maryland Weddings

We know that you hear us say, “This is one of the most beautiful weddings [dot dot dot]…” on a pretty regular basis, but believe me when I say that Lauren and Harrison’s classic wedding at Brittland Estates IS the proverbial “all that and more!” With an inherent love for eastern-shore weddings, the talented team at Eastmade Event Company assured that this lovely couple would have a day that would create memories of a lifetime! With a dreamy bridal bouquet like this one from Sophie Felts Floral Design, you know it’s going to be spectacular….

The main reason we wanted to share Lauren and Harrison’s wedding pics from Rachel May Photography (other than the fact that the florals from Sophie Felts are just so-darned-awesome) is because when we opened the folder and saw the (more than 200) images, we seriously weren’t sure whether we could do it justice! I, personally, fell in love with their love — their fathers, their mothers, friends & family ~ as well as the emotion that our lives are all about! Thank goodness Rachel May and Josh Gooden Cinema were there to capture!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/294392173 600 338]

Your wedding day won’t just happen. It will take hours and hours of planning and a pretty significant amount of work. Lauren and Harrison did their due diligence and chose East Made to help orchestrate the process. How on earth else could they have looked so incredibly calm and enjoy the significance of the day?!? ( a quick ps… we don’t often see the bride & groom at the Cocktail Hour!) Time-lines and Time-Alone are so important. With the right kind of planning, though, you can enjoy schmoozing with your guests! And you’ll even get to taste a few of those yummy appetizers plus your signature cocktail!

I’ve never written a post like Lauren & Harrison’s! So I do have to take a moment to say how much I’ve enjoyed it! Seeing the images that so clearly show their love, the joy of the day and the new family dynamics that will be with them – from this day forward – has been an honor.

Our best wishes for a lifetime of love to Lauren, Harrison and their family & friends! And a huge thank-you to all of the wedding professionals who helped make this day an incredible success. See all 207 of Rachel May’s pics from the day in the full SMP gallery!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

More from Rachel May Photography…Lauren & Harrison were married on the most perfect Summer day at Brittland Manor this past June. As if the sunshine itself was not enough of a light, the pure joy and love from the couple and their family and friends brought a luminescent light of its own to the day. East Made Event Co executed a perfect event for them, featuring warm neutrals and lush florals from Sophie Felts Floral Design.

Harrison and Lauren first met during freshman year at Franklin & Marshall College. Harrison knocked on the door of Lauren’s friend’s dorm room wearing a Captain American costume – Lauren was not amused. Eventually their friendship grew and the two took a quick trip to New York to attend a concert together. The rest was history!

Harrison and Lauren dated throughout college and senior year got their beloved yellow lab, Gibson. After college Lauren moved to DC for two years and Harrison to New York. In 2015, Lauren moved to New York to live with Harrison. They created a weekend tradition of attending Central Park off-leash hours with Gibson. On November 5, 2016, Lauren was so excited to share the special tradition with her sister and brother-in-law that were visiting from Maryland. When they got to their favorite spot in the park, Harrison dropped down on one knee and popped the question! Afterwards, Harrison surprised Lauren with a brunch with the couple’s family.

Lauren and Harrison saw what felt like endless wedding venues in Maryland and New York. Finally, when the couple saw Brittland Manor, they immediately fell in love. The couple’s planner, Elizabeth Gopal, created the theme of ‘Casual Elegance’. They wanted to play off of the natural beauty of the venue and for the décor to reflect their laid back personalities. Their amazing team helped create the perfect day!

Photography: Rachel May Photography | Wedding Planning: East Made Event Company | Floral Design: Sophie Felts Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Mikaella Bridal | Cake: Sugar Bakers Cakes | Invitations: Ruby The Fox | Bridesmaids Dresses: Joanna August | Catering: Rouge Fine Catering | Hair & Makeup: Ariel Lewis | Calligraphy: Shotgunning for Love Letters | Band: Bachelor Boys Band | Tent: Eastern Shore Tents And Events | Ceremony & Reception Venue: Brittland Estates | Menswear: The Black Tux | Strings: Chesapeake Strings | Video: Josh Gooden Cinematography

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Bachelor Boys Band

View Portfolio

This is what summer weddings are all about my friends. Braids and beach waves, flowy Jenny Yoo bridesmaids, sunsets that warm the soul, al fresco dining… and smiles for days. Just for starters. Kari Rider Events crafted a day that suits these two to a T. I don’t even know them, but I know that their day was uniquely them based on their utter joy that pours from Elizabeth Fogarty‘s imagery. Join me in the gallery for more summery sweetness!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Kari Rider Events… University of Maryland grads Meg and Matt wanted to keep things cool and casual for their waterfront Eastern Shore wedding. So we got to work creating a scene that was equal parts modern, rustic and elegant at the picturesque Great Oak Manor in Chestertown. Wood farm tables juxtaposed by clear ghost chairs set the perfect tone inside the sailcloth reception tent, where layers of marble chargers, tile place cards and acrylic signs completed the look. Pops of dusty blue in the flowers and bridesmaids dresses gave a subtle nod to the waterfront venue, where guests enjoyed not one but four signature drinks from this fun-loving couple. A stunning acrylic seating chart proved an attraction in and of itself, as did the adorable cheese wheel cake and the ever-inspiring band Millenium, who kept the dance floor full all night.

From the Bride… We met in college at University of Maryland in greek life, but remained friends until several years post college. Almost exactly 4 years ago, I had a bunch of college friends to my parents’ house to go boating and for a crab feast, and Matt tagged along with some of his frat brothers. A mixture of sun, fun and bud light had sparks flying and we were nearly inseparable from then on! I knew that he was the one when I was ready to upend my life and move to DC after only several months of dating. I’m not one to accept change very well, but I was all in and knew I’d met my match!

Photography: Elizabeth Fogarty | Videography: Just Hitched Wedding Films | Event Planning: Kari Rider Events | Florals: Crimson and Clover Floral Design, Inc. | Wedding Dress: Hayley Paige | Invitations: Stephanie B Design | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Occasions Chestertown | make up: Alison Harper and Company | Band: Millenium Band | Wedding Venue: Great Oak Manor | Tent: Eastern Shore Tents And Events | Bridal Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper Goods: Stephanie B Design | Rentals: Select Event Group

SaveSave

SaveSave

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

View Portfolio

Fridays with a dash of classic elegance are sort of my thing.  Because if ever there was a perfect start to the weekend it’s a stunning bride in Enzoani, a dapper groom in uniform and some of the most beautiful details you have ever seen.  Pair that amazing combo with a breathtaking backdrop like the Great Oak Manor and we have ourselves one fabulous gallery (thank you, Krista A. Jones).  Join me there for more.

And a sweeter than sweet film from Jamie Forzato… you’re welcome.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/95621336 600 338]

From Krista A. Jones… Becca and Ned met on a blind date their senior year of college at the University of Maryland. Although Ned was committed to commissioning into the army and Becca to teaching English in Austria for two years, they couldn’t help but start a relationship. After a two year cross-continental relationship, thousands of flight miles, hundred of emails, and a deployment, Becca relocated to El Paso, TX to join Ned.

From the beginning of their engagement, Ned and Becca envisioned a classic Maryland wedding on the water surrounded by friends and family. As they embarked on planning the wedding from Texas, Ned stumbled across a picturesque bed and breakfast in Chestertown, Mayland called Great Oak Manor. Great Oak Manor provided the perfect backdrop for a three day celebration including a Friday night roast of the bride and groom, outdoor Saturday reception and Sunday farewell brunch.

Photography: Krista A. Jones Photography | Videography: Jamie Forzato | Coordination: MeZo Events | Flowers: Connie Clark | Wedding Dress: Enzoani | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Allure Bridal | Caterer: Adam's Ribs | Hair & Makeup: Behind The Veil | DJ: Royal Music Service | Venue: Great Oak Manor | Cake Topper: Weddingstar Inc.

It’s time to kick off another Wedding Wednesday which means we have seven of the loveliest affairs coming your way all live long day. Think everything from a beautiful outdoor shindig to a lovely ballroom soiree. Up first is a Maryland affair that’s putting the “P” in pretty in a major way.  I’m talking a drop-dead gorgeous bride and groom, a breathtaking Brittland Manor backdrop and a Sottero and Midgley gown that is the literal definition of layered lovely.  Kristen Marie Photography snapped up every moment and it’s a DIY masterpiece that you can’t afford to miss.  See it all here.

The most exciting part of planning the wedding was deciding on the décor and style. I came up with a combination of vintage and whimsy. I wanted it to be unique (nothing cookie cutter) and I like to think I put a lot of love into the details. I gave new meaning to DIY — from the flag bunting and the flower arrangements, the menus and the table numbers, the hanging mason jars and the escort cards. I made more trips to the craft store than I’d like to admit, but looking back, I had a lot of fun doing it. Kevin let me monopolize our one-bedroom apartment with my DIYing, bless his heart. Although he did start grumbling when I took over the entire living room floor with flag cutouts. For the record: I left a walking path!

Family and friends helped so much on the days leading up to the wedding – checking in on us, helping to transport everything to the venue and pitching in on those last-minute finishing touches. Our wedding was everything we wanted it to be. I really tried to take it all in – the beautiful surroundings, the people I loved, the tastes, the feelings, the sounds, the moments with Kevin. I loved every minute!

Wedding Photography: Kristen Marie Photography / Venue: Brittland Manor in Chestertown, Maryland / Floral Design: Fifty Flowers (Flowers) + The Bride (Design) / Officiant: Jennifer Dustin / Catering + Wedding Cake: Eat & Smile Catering / Ceremony + Cocktail Hour Guitarist: Kevin Shannon / Music: DJ Bounce of Scratch Weddings / Tent Rental + Perimeter Lighting: Dover Rent-All / Candles: Candle 4 Less / Wedding Dress: Sottero and Midgley / Bride’s Veil + Blusher: Pure English Bridal Salon / Bridesmaids’ + Groomsmen’ Attire: J.Crew + Indochino /  Bride’s Jewelry: Grandmother’s ring / Hair: Salon in Chestertown, Maryland / Makeup: DIY by the Bride / Groom’s Attire: Indochino

We see a lot of weddings around here and each one is gorgeous in its own right but the weddings that we positively adore and can’t quite seem to get enough of are the home-spun affairs. The weddings that are built from the ground up by friends and loved ones. This Maryland wedding is one of those beauties and it is about as sweet as they come. From the homemade cakes to the head over heels in love couple, we just can’t seem to shake our wedding crush. And the photography? Beyond. Adam Barnes was on hand to capture all the love and he did so to complete and total perfection. Wedding Art is what we like to call it. There’s even more gorgeous to pore through in the gallery so be sure to have a looky-loo.

see every last beautiful detail here!

Adam Barnes not only captured the gorgeous images, but he switched up his cameras and caught even more of this beautiful day…

From the Bride…

Our wedding took place at Running Fox Farm in Chestertown, Maryland. We fell in love with the venue, especially knowing that we would be doing everything ourselves, it gave us a great place to start! We loved the open fields, the rustic feel of the barn, and the elegance of the manor. It was really important to us that our guests felt involved and close to us. Matt is from California, and I am from Maryland, so we had guests traveling from all over the country. The whole property has such a romantic and intimate feel to it, which is exactly what we wanted for our wedding day.

I had such an exciting and unique opportunity in that I was able to design and help create my wedding dress! This was such a fun experience. I love lace and tulle, and the seamstress, Suzanne, did an amazing job of bringing my vision for the dress to life. It was my absolute dream dress, and it held so much sentimental value knowing that I helped create it. One thing that made our wedding incredibly special was all of our friends and family that were so willing to share their gifts and talents with us. Matt’s dad is a pastor, and he officiated our wedding. My sister-in-law’s mother, Janae, is incredibly talented and worked with me tirelessly on the design of the wedding. My friend and bridesmaid, Lauren, made our wedding cake. A family friend is an electrician, and he strung all the chandeliers and lights from the trees. The list goes on of the amazing people that shared their gifts with us. At one point during our reception, Matt and I just stopped and looked around, so incredibly humbled and thankful for the people that helped make our day so amazing. The details and planning were fun, but looking back, I remember how easy it was to get caught up in them. In the end it didn’t matter because on that day, they were exactly that: details. The details and design of our wedding wouldn’t even be in existence had I not found an amazing man who asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. On the day, our vows, our family, and friends there supporting us, surpassed everything else.

Photography: Adam Barnes Fine Art Photography / Ceremony: Running Fox, Chestertown, MD / wedding cake was made by a friend (and bridesmaid) Lauren Petri / All the cakes were made by a family friend, Maureen Czebotar / Tarts: Whole Foods in Annapolis / Flowers: Dawn at Severna Park Florist / Event design: Bride and Janae May (family friend) / Invitations: Bride and Wade Smith (friend) / Shoes: Ann Taylor / Dress: Designed by Bride, made by Suzanne Reams