Madeline Serio Photography
Claire Copertino + Travis Atwell
Eastport Yacht Club | Madeline Serio Photography
WEDDING DATE: April 15, 2023
NUMBER OF GUESTS: 260
FIRST DANCE SONG: Noah Reid’s cover of “Simply The Best”
THEIR 12-YEAR REUNION
Claire and Travis met in 2009 in a computer class, but nothing happened for 12 years — until Claire’s friend Kristi invited her to a bar to meet her fiancé Bobby. “I was talking to Bobby when I noticed Travis walk in,” Claire recalls. “He was the most beautiful person I’d ever seen and came right over, gave me a hug, and reminded me that we had met in computer class all those years prior.” At Kristi and Bobby’s wedding a few months later, the pair finally exchanged numbers. “I left on cloud nine,” Claire says. “On my way home, I called my sister and told her that I was going on a date with Travis that week and that, one day, I was going to marry him.”
Madeline Serio Photography
In contrast to many couples, Claire and Travis felt like wedding planning was a smooth process. “Our venue and wedding planner were so amazing at keeping everything easy,” Claire says. “[And] our venue allowed us to do pretty much whatever we wanted so that removed a lot of our initial stress.”
SPA CREEK VIEWS
Choosing Eastport Yacht Club to be their venue was an easy decision, Claire says. “The views of Annapolis, right on the water, and the welcoming staff were incredible.” To combat unpredictable April weather, the couple splurged on a clear-top tent with flooring. “We didn’t want guests to be all dolled up and then have to worry about their shoes getting wet and slipping on the dance floor,” Claire says.
Madeline Serio Photography
THE BENEFIT OF OPEN SEATING
It was Travis’ idea to have a clean, white aesthetic for the reception. “We both wanted a timeless look that, when you walked into the tent, felt like you were in our home,” Claire explains. Instead of table numbers, each table displayed a date meaningful to the couple’s relationship. Claire and Travis eschewed assigned seating, too, by opting for an open, “party” feel that allowed guests to mingle and enjoy handheld foods.
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DESIGN MOTIFS
As an interior designer, Claire wanted her gown to complement the sleek, simple style of her celebration. She pieced together ideas from several dresses she liked to create a custom look with Mary’s Bridal. Her A-line dress, affixed with a crystal belt, made a statement in the back, with an oversized bow that reappeared on the cake.
Madeline Serio Photography
ESPRESSO MY LOVE
When seafood-studded ice sculptures started filling her Pinterest feed, Claire realized that a frozen structure would be the perfect alternative to a champagne wall. “[I had to] convince Travis and my parents that it wasn’t a shot luge,” she says. “Then my love of espresso martinis played in and we combined the two!” Another unique beverage moment was the lemoncello toast Claire and Travis gave toward the end of the night. “This was a nod to the [dinner at Osteria 177], when our parents met for the first time,” Claire says. “Travis’ mom did not know what [lemoncello] was and took it down like a shot, instead of sipping the “normal” way. We told our guests the story and let them decide to take it back like the Atwells or sip like a Copertino. I’m pretty sure the whole party took it as a shot!”
Madeline Serio Photography
“All of our venders were incredible, but the one our guests continue to talk about is Vinny Mozzarella,” Claire says. “His hand-pulled mozzarella and fresh sliced Italian meats were such a hit!”
Madeline Serio Photography
THE DETAILS
Bride’s gown: Mary’s Bridal (ceremony) + Nadine Merabi (reception) Bride’s hair + makeup: True Colors Beauty Co. Bride’s veil: Cassandra Silvestro via Etsy Cake: Fluffy Thoughts Cakes Entertainment: Encore (Washington Talent) Florist: Floret & Vine Gelato: La Marmotta Gelateria Groom’s attire: Capital Custom Clothiers Ice Luge: The Ice God Lemoncello: Osteria 177 Linens: BBJ La Tavola Mozzarella Bar: Vinny Mozzarella Photography: Madeline Serio Photography Planning: Christine McFarlane Events Rentals: White Glove Rentals, Honeywood Rentals Tent: Eastern Shore Tents Transportation: Ride Thoroughbred Venue: Eastport Yacht Club Videography: Monachetti Films
