Tia Bustanoby Photography, associates Tiana Hartman and Emma Furniss
Ian & Sarah
The Cloisters Castle | Tia Bustanoby Photography, associates Tiana Hartman and Emma Furniss
Wedding Date: April 5, 2025
Number of Guests: 125
Standout Vendor: Summer Haze Media
Tia Bustanoby Photography, associates Tiana Hartman and Emma Furniss
Their first date was at the National Gallery of Art. Later, Sarah convinced Ian to draw her on the steps of the Portrait Gallery. “We still have the pictures we drew, which is such a fun memento.”
Ian and Sarah have mutual friends to thank for their meeting. Sarah had longtime friends who became close with some of Ian’s friends while they all attended the University of Maryland. The group planned a trip to Ocean City, and both Sarah and Ian were brought along as plus ones. “I had seen her picture on Instagram… that one of my college friends had posted,” Ian recalls. Entranced by how stunning she was, he knew that he had to meet her on that Ocean City trip. The pair hit it off right away. “I’m usually very shy and was not really interested in dating anyone,” Sarah says, “but the second I met Ian, the conversation just flowed so naturally.” They spent an entire night talking before watching the sunrise on the beach.
Signed on Sight
While searching for Central Maryland venues, they happened to see that The Cloisters Castle was doing an open house. It was love at first sight. “We both love dark academia, classy, sophisticated, Harry Potter vibes,” Sarah says. They paired the castle’s old-world charm with a timeless and clean color scheme, opting for creams and whites with pops of sage and thyme greens.
“I love history, so the story of the Cloisters really spoke to me,” Ian says. “Handcrafted by the original owners based on their European travels and given to the people of Baltimore after their deaths. A true treasure for the region.”
Tia Bustanoby Photography, associates Tiana Hartman and Emma Furniss
A Surprise Down the Aisle
Ian had spent the months leading up to the wedding trying to guess what song Sarah would walk down the aisle to. But wanting to surprise her groom, Sarah never told him. “It was ‘Concerning Hobbits’ from The Lord of the Rings, which a close friend played on piano,” Sarah reveals. The castle venue was perfect for that little bit of fantasy flair. They both love The Lord of the Rings, and Ian had learned to play the pennywhistle back in high school because of the song. So, the sentimentality plus Sarah “look[ing] breathtakingly beautiful” made the surprise processional song Ian’s favorite moment of the day.
Planning is a Hidden Talent
Sarah handled the bridal decisions, but Ian handled the rest of the planning. “Ian should honestly be an event planner in another life,” Sarah says, identifying herself as “very type B,” which doesn’t pair well with planning a wedding. However, Ian being analytical, organized, and good at coordinating and communicating with people made him ideal for the work.
The hardest part of the planning process? The seating chart. The combination of having people from different groups, backgrounds, and families, and a limited number of chairs at each table, proved that making a seating chart where no one felt excluded to be a challenge.
A Little Kindness
Ian’s Scoutmaster and mentor, Neal Kindness, served as the officiant. The year before their wedding, after first meeting Neal, Sarah told Ian, “He would be a great officiant.” Though they hadn’t previously discussed it, it made total sense. Neal’s eloquent officiating received compliments from multiple guests.
Tia Bustanoby Photography, associates Tiana Hartman and Emma Furniss
“I designed the exact dress I had always envisioned with full soft Chantilly lace and sleeves to match. Fun fact: I also had them make a lace choker, which was stunning, but I decided last minute to go without it for a more timeless look.”
Brought to Tears
Sarah’s cousin, Elizabeth, of Summer Haze Media, went the extra mile to make friends with vendors and guests to get candid video and reactions from everyone. “Her final edit still brings me to tears,” Ian says. That evening, during his best man speech, Logan pulled up texts Ian had sent him about the couple’s first meeting. Seeing those messages was the only time Sarah cried that night. “The fact that we can trace our relationship through texts and events and trips that our friends all witnessed is one of my favorite parts of our story.”
Details
Planner: Chantilly Design & Events Venue: The Cloisters Castle Photographer: Tia Bustanoby Photography, associates Tiana Hartman and Emma Furniss Videographer: Summer Haze Media Caterer: Zeffert and Gold Desserts: Cake and cupcakes from Wegmans DJ/Band: DJ MonTahje from Toussaint Productions Florist: Gott Efni Hair: Vintage Veils Makeup Artist: Contoured by Katie Officiant: Neal Kindness Stationery: Zola Bride’s Attire: Custom dress from Mary’s Designer Bridal in Annapolis Bridesmaid’s Attire: Birdy Grey Grace convertible dress with slit in Thyme Groom’s Attire: Suit Supply Groomsmen Attire: The Black Tux
