The couple. "Harry and I met and began dating at the ripe old age of 15," Brittany says. That's when the two of them served on a mission trip to inner-city Baltimore. "We began talking, and in true teenage fashion, we each told our mutual friend [groomsman Jason] that we liked one another so he could pass along the message." In 2009, five years into their relationship, the couple took a trip around Maryland visiting vineyards. Shortly after touring Running Hare, their eventual wedding location, Harry proposed to Brittany over a picnic lunch.
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rThe venue. The wedding venue was of utmost importance to Brittany, and she has a lot of qualifications to go along with it: "We wanted a venue that would be unique, would allow us to host an outdoor ceremony and indoor reception (in case of rain), and that was breathtakingly beautiful," she says. "Running Hare Vineyard gave us all of those things are more." Additionally, because the venue is just less than two hours away from their home in York, Pa., it gave the feel of a destination wedding without the hassle of planning from afar.
rThe menu. During cocktail hour, some 170 guests of the newlyweds noshed on crab dip, spinach dip, cheeses, fruit, crackers, and breads, while sipping assorted beers and Running Hare Vineyard wines. The dinner menu included Caeser salad, Pasta Primavera, Herb Fire-Roasted Chicken with Summer Salsa, Haricot Verts, rolls, and Tomato Mozzarella salad. After feasting, "The atmosphere shifted when the dance floor opened to an incredible party!" Brittany says.
rThe music. Speaking of the dance floor, Harry and Brittany twirled to Brad Paisley's "She's Everything" for their first dance. "I have a lot in common with the girl that Brad Paisley sings about in the song," Brittany says. Later, she danced with her father to Heartland's "I Loved Her First," while Harry and his mother swayed to "My Wish," by Rascal Flatts.
rAfter the wedding. The new Mr. and Mrs. Claridge headed down to Topsail Island in North Carolina for a week at Brittany's family beach house. "This is one of my favorite places in the world, and I loved spending time with my new husband there," she says. As for married life, "Harry seeks every opportunity to show me love and serve me as his wife, and I have loved trying to do the same for him."
rTHE DETAILS
r| Venue | rRunning Hare Vineyard, Prince Frederick | r
| Florist | rIntrigue Design and Décor, Annapolis | r
| Cakes/Dessert | rSugar Bakers Cakes, Catonsville/Dessert Bar: Heather Van Winkle | r
| Caterer | rMaryland Country Caterers, Owings Mill | r
| Dress designer | rAnjolique | r
| Bridesmaid Dresses | rMackenzie Michaels | r
| Stationer | rEmilie Friday, Etsy (Custom logo); Print Your Party, Etsy (Invitation design) | r
| Calligrapher | rRachel Carl Company, Etsy | r
| Favors | rCandy Buffet | r
| Videographer | rJosh Gooden Cinematography, Harrisonburg, Va. | r
| Photographer | rKatelyn James Photography, Richmond, Va. | r
| DJ/Entertainment | rRichard Green Entertainment, Va. | r
| Day of Coordinator | rAnna Burke Events, Bowling Green, Va. | r
| DJ/EntertainmentHair/makeup | rBehind the Veil, Annapolis | r
