Chesapeake Charm Photography
Colleen Wethern + August Hagen
Historic London Town & Gardens | Chesapeake Charm Photography
WEDDING DATE: May 13, 2023
NUMBER OF GUESTS: 105
SIGNATURE DRINKS: Pineapple margaritas + Bee’s knees
ROCK MY WORLD
Colleen met August at a rock-climbing gym while both were students at Indiana University. After several months of casual chatting and climbing, the pair started dating. For their first outing, they saw Finding Dory. “To my disappointment, August didn’t kiss me when he dropped me off at the end of the night,” Colleen recalls. “He said later that I rushed out of the car and didn’t give him enough time. I think we were both just too nervous!”
Chesapeake Charm Photography
Colleen purchased the first wedding dress that she tried on. “I loved the blush color and the large floral embroidery,” she says.
Chesapeake Charm Photography
THOSE MANICURED GARDENS
August surprised Colleen by proposing on a trip to Idaho, where he had a seasonal position with the Montana Conservation Corps. Colleen started looking at venues immediately, but, with Austin’s limited cell service, had to do some guesswork as to what August would like. Her tour of Historic London Town, however, dispelled any doubts. “The lush gardens and the beautiful outdoor space were exactly what I was envisioning for the big day and I knew August would love it, too,” Colleen says.
Chesapeake Charm Photography
August and Colleen picked their first dance song, “When the Night Is Over” after they attended a Lord Huron concert last year. “We got to hear it live and we had such a blast dancing around to it, even though it was raining,” Colleen says.
PURPLE HAZE
With such a verdant setting, Colleen and August wanted to keep their decor simple and highlight the beauty of the garden. They chose a rich palette of purples and greens and invested in statement florals to match the natural beauty of the venue.
Chesapeake Charm Photography
VENDORS OF GOOD REPUTE
Six months before her wedding, Colleen hired Social Graces Events to help her tackle the planning projects that she had been procrastinating. “I could not have done it without them!” Colleen says. “There were many little challenges but Social Graces helped me with all of them so it didn’t feel horrible!” One of the biggest ways Social Graces aided Colleen was by recommending vendors with good reputations in the local wedding industry. “I was grateful that I didn’t have to dig through Google reviews and find things on my own,” she adds.
HER BEST ADVICE
“Going smaller or simpler is the way to do it! It’s okay to be a bit stingy with your guest count.”
Chesapeake Charm Photography
THE DETAILS
Bride’s gown: Columbia Bridal Boutique Bride’s hair + makeup: Lockhouse x Linsay (hair) + Izzy B (makeup) Cake: Main and Market Caterer: Main and Market Dog care: Furever and Fur Always Entertainment: Mixing Maryland Florist: Kate Truhlar Linens: Select Event Group Lighting: Event Dynamics Photography: Chesapeake Charm Photography Planning: Social Graces Events Rentals: Something Vintage Transportation: American Limo Venue: Historic London Town & Gardens
