Sarah James Photography
Griffin & Holly
Wedding Date: October 19, 2024
Number of Guests: 175
Honeymoon Spot: Japan
Private Residence
Sarah James Photography
Melted Ice Cream
It was the first day of freshman year when Griffin met Holly. The pair became instant friends and spent the four years of high school laughing together, but they never dated. It wasn’t until a few years after high school when they reconnected that something romantic bloomed. On their first date, the pair went to Coldstone Creamery. “I love desserts and ice cream, so, of course, I devoured my ice cream,” Holly says. But as the date went on, Griffin hadn’t really eaten any of his. When Holly asked if he didn’t like his flavor, he replied that he didn’t really like ice cream. “Why did you take me to an ice cream place if you know you don’t like it?” Holly had asked and Griffin simply responded, “Because I knew you liked ice cream.” They spent the rest of the date having a fantastic time talking over melted ice cream.
“I realized in that moment that Griffin is the kind of person to really listen to you and genuinely prioritize you in both big ways and small ways,” Holly says. “It felt so good to be seen and heard.”
Sarah James Photography
A Little Crabby
Holly and Griffin had planned a crab feast a year before, so Holly didn’t think anything of hosting a second one for friends and family. The day of the crab feast, Griffin took Holly to tour a home a family friend was selling on the water near Mayo Beach Park. “To be honest, I really didn’t want to tour the house, so I was in a bit of a sour mood.” They arrived at the home before the owners, so Griffin suggested walking around the park while they waited.
Down on the beach, near the end of their walk, Holly turned to look at Griffin only to see him bent down on one knee. “I had no idea it was happening that day; I was seriously so shocked. I said yes, cried, and asked about one hundred questions about who we should call and how to tell our families.” That was only the first surprise. Both their families were hiding back at the crab feast to surprise the couple. Griffin orchestrated the whole event and convinced 40 people not to spoil the proposal the weeks before the big day.
Sarah James Photography
A Backyard Fall Ball
Their engagement wasn’t the only backyard celebration; Holly and Griffin got married in the backyard of Griffin’s parents’ home in Harwood, Maryland. Though they had lived in the home for a few years, they never considered getting married there until Griffin’s cousins hosted their wedding in the backyard and it was the most fun they had. Holly and Griffin made their October wedding day their own with a mixed fall color palette. “I love fall and fall colors, so that was very important to me,” Holly says. “I had a hard time picking just one color scheme.” Their day featured pops of oranges, reds, purples, and pinks among the backyard’s lush greenery.
Fit for a Frolic
When Holly went searching for her dress, she wanted it to feel like could frolic in the woods in it. But it seems like the dress was meant to be from the very beginning. “I like to draw and paint, and I used to draw dresses when I was younger,” Holly says. The silhouette she always used to draw is the one she ended up picking for her wedding dress. “I guess it’s been with me a while.”
Along with the feeling of frolicking, Holly also wanted off-the-shoulder sleeves. “There’s just something so whimsical and dreamy about that to me.” The whimsical vibe of her dress continued with leaves and floral appliqués. “I knew it was the one when I realized I started to look at myself in the mirror more than the dress. In all the other dresses, it felt like the dress was wearing me. But this one felt like I was wearing the dress.”
Sarah James Photography
Something Sweet
Holly says the best thing she ate during the wedding was the cake. And it was even more special because her father made it. “My dad’s biggest passion is being a baker, and I’ve always loved helping him bake.” For all her birthdays or special events growing up, he’d make her a custom dessert, so she always knew he would design her wedding cake. “It was a gorgeous vintage style pound cake topped with cherries. “He even picked out our wedding topper.”
Huge Families, Huge Help
Sarah James Photography
Family and friends helped bring Griffin and Holly’s wedding day to life. Her dad and Griffin built the bars, welcome sign, and seating chart, which Holly painted and decorated. Griffin’s father purchased thousands of string lights to wrap around their favorite tree in the yard. “I really had my heart set on [Christmas lights around the tree] so we could do our last dance under the lights. It was so magical and romantic, and it’s still lit to this day!”
Griffin’s cousin, Alexandra, was their officiant and she took it very seriously. “She came to our house, interviewed us about our story, and created the most beautiful ceremony speech I’ve ever heard. She had us all crying!” Nancy, Holly’s best friend from hair school, did her makeup and helped arrange her florals the two days before the wedding. Holly’s younger sister was her wedding planner and a family friend was their day of coordinator. “It doesn’t get more family-oriented than that.”
The Details
Photographer: Sarah James Photography Wedding Content Creator: Jade Li Caro, @Jadelicaro Caterer: Mission BBQ Desserts: Bride’s Father Florist: Butter Bee Farms, flowers; arrangements by bride and friend Hair: Lucja Conkle @lucja.bridalstylist and Sophia Lee @solee.beauty Makeup Artist: Nancy Degen @beautybynancyd & Lily Gomez @luxbylily Officiant: Alexandra Nelson Rentals: Dreamers Event Rentals Bride’s Attire: Amanda Ritchie Bridal Bridesmaid’s Attire: Jenny Yoo, Birdy Gray Groom’s Attire: Men’s Warehouse Bathroom Rentals: Framilyfavoritesllc
