Blush Bride

Frederick County, MD has many hidden natural treasures.  One of them being the family farm of our groom, Matt located in Middletown.  This ceremony took place on a comfortable June evening, at a site on the property overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains, under a trellis made and decorated by the couple.

Kaitryn and Matt had been together about 7 years before getting married.  Together they raise animals (often that Kaitryn brings home), ride 4 wheelers, and take their camper for trips.  They have fixed up their home and made it theirs.  The future holds a lot of happiness for them together on that farm.   

Kaitryn, the bride, wore a vintage inspired lace gown and cowboy boots with her hair in a beautiful fishtail braid.  She looked like a model as she walked down the isles escorted by her Dad (who had chauffeured her to the ceremony site in an off road vehicle).  Her family and close friends watched her with smiles as she met Matt at the altar.  He too, had a grin on his face. 

The wedding ceremony went well, with giggles about Matt’s ornery smile and Kaitlyn’s love of animals needing homes.  They exchanged rings and vows under a blue sky with a perfect ratio of fluffy white clouds.  Her reception was back at the house - a gold and blush color theme made the long tables so elegant,  Kaitryn made sure all of the floral and rustic details were on point.   

This couple was the first wedding that I had performed without knowing the couple beforehand.  You might think that this could be awkward, but it is not.  As an officiant, you learn so much about your couple your first few interviews and then you text throughout the ceremony process, learning more about them as you go.  Soon, texts are shared that may have to do with the wedding, but may just be to check in on how they are.  It is a treasure to have new people in my life, thank you Kaitryn and Matt.         

Sunset views, I mean, vows.

Martinique and I have been friends since the 5th grade. We have experienced many joys and laughs during our friendship. We have experienced parent deaths and leaned on each other in difficult times.

When Chase came into Marti’s life, all of our friends realized how well suited they were for one another. They both love fishing and animals. They enjoy their travels to Wyoming and Canada. They value family and were willing to combine their households. They make delicious meals on their smoker.

The ceremony took place at a Marina in North East, PA, right on the Lake Erie shore. Approximately 20 friends and family gathered to watch Marti walk through the sand to meet Chase. Her future son walked her down the isle in her blush wedding dress. To the side, Marti’s niece played the Ukulele and their dog Kelby looked on in support of their vows.

The service was a mix of emotions. We laughed when the we had to take a “time out” so that the live Facebook video could reconnect. We cried as Marti appeared and Chase looked thrilled to see her. We were joyful after the ceremony was over.

Cocktails were served that the restaurant and we watched the Lake Erie sunset (Did you know that Lake Erie has some of the best sunsets in the world?). Dinner followed on the deck. Our friend, Cori, baked a carrot cake for the couple to cut. Homemade cookies and strudel from our hometown, Conneaut Lake, were served as we sipped our wine.

Guests left with handsewn nautical facemasks and hand sanitizer wrapped in tulle. What better gifts for a COVID wedding? My first ceremony was a success.

Marti and Chase, Thank You for including me in your day. Keep dating and kiss a lot!

Zinnia Garden Farm Party

Alicia and I taught together for 10 years. Both single for a time, we would often go out on the town. One evening, we met Nathan and his friend. They exchanged numbers and went on with their lives. After some time, they began to text and then went on a date.

Eventually they moved in together and have come up with countless projects that have renovated their home. A gas stove with a stone wall, hardwood floors that Nathan stained and installed, and a gorgeous garden and lower deck. Their home has been filled with cats and a dog, Hogan. They have travelled to France and stayed in a castle.

The engagement came during quarantine and with a gorgeous diamond cut ring. Plans were soon made to have the wedding on Nathan’s family farm. Blue and gold were chosen as the base colors and then, the Zinnias! The colorful flowers were the stars of the centerpieces and even better — were grown by her friends. Nathan’s parents planted Zinnias in the beds near the wedding tent to decorate the outdoor venue.

Alicia walked down the isle collecting flowers from her closest friends. Each flower was chosen with a certain meaning as well as the song she used to walk down the isle, “In My Life,” by The Beatles. There were roses to honor Alicia’s father who had recently passed, and her favorites, sunflowers which were a gift from her cousin.

The ceremony was a beautiful tribute to Alicia and Nathan’s love, as well as a reunion for family and friends. After the delicious BBQ was served, guests could choose an individually wrapped sweet treat from the bountiful dessert table. Alicia surprised Nathan with a flash mob style dance, practiced only a few times by her friends. We all sang along as we danced to “On Top of the World” by Imagine Dragons as Nathan watched from the chair in the center of the tent. We danced well into the night, and even asked the DJ to stay to keep the party going.

Alicia and Nathan, Thank You for trusting me with the job of marrying you. You are a beautiful couple!

Professional photos below by Kait Polen at The Old Line Collective