Molliner Photography
Adam & Iulia
Kent Island Resort | Molliner Photography
Wedding Date: August 9, 2025 | Number of Guests: 188 | Special Moment: Grandfather-Granddaughter Dance
Adam and Iulia exchanged handwritten notes on the morning of the wedding, delivered by the maid of honor and best man, to read while getting ready. Adam actually wrote three to open at various points in the morning. “I felt surrounded by love and more ready than ever to marry my person.”
Molliner Photography
Maryland to Miami
It was St. Patrick’s Day at a Miami bar when a “lucky leprechaun” brought Adam and Iulia together. After being introduced by mutual friends, the pair spent hours talking and realized they had a lot in common. “We grew up 20 minutes apart in Howard County, shared many of the same experiences, from summers in Ocean City to favorite hometown restaurants.” Their lucky streak continued when Adam asked Iulia to be his beer pong partner, leading them to win nine straight games before retiring as undefeated champions. “We were a perfect match from the start.”
Their first date was at a Miami wine bar where they talked all night over a bottle of wine and a charcuterie board about their families, their dogs, their favorite traditions, and holidays. They even talked about their hopes and dreams for the future. “It became clear very quickly that we share the same core values, and even had a lot of commonalities between my Eastern European upbringing and Adam’s Jewish family traditions.”
Love is Smooth Sailing
Adam planned something special for the second anniversary of their first date, though Iulia tried to get hints under the guise of trying to figure out what to wear. That evening, they went to a marina near their house for a boat ride. After going to the top deck, Adam put on a playlist of songs the pair had listened to or sent each other throughout their relationship. Finally, he played Chris Lane’s “Big, Big Plans” and got down on one knee. “I was so surprised and just beaming with happiness at the beautiful memories and the thought of marrying my best friend.” It was an obvious yes! The surprises weren’t over yet. As they pulled back into the marina, they were met with friends and family holding signs and decorations. Her parents even flew in from Maryland. They all got back on the boat to celebrate while cruising around Miami.
On the Waterfront
Iulia envisioned a “coastal elegant” aesthetic for their summer wedding “with lots of florals, an outdoor ceremony, and an overall light and airy vibe.” Adam and Iulia both grew up spending time on the Eastern Shore and they both loved the idea of hosting a full weekend of events for their guests. Kent Island Resort was everything they wanted. “[It] felt like the perfect coastal estate that captured everything we loved about the area.”
They bought out the property for the weekend and the festivities started Thursday with an intimate dinner for their immediate families and wedding party, who also stayed on-site at the hotel for the weekend. Friday, they had a pool day before hosting a welcome party that night. They leaned into the Maryland charm, serving orange crushes and a Maryland crab cake buffet. Guests played corn hole on custom sets and satisfied their sweet tooth with Smith Island Cake, Berger cookies, and Fisher’s popcorn. Saturday, was, of course, their wedding, with festivities held at different locations on the resort. “[It felt] like our community was truly coming together for more than just the wedding day.”
Love at First Try
It didn’t take long for Iulia to find the dress; it was one of the first ones she tried on. After walking out, her mom, mother-in-law, and two sisters-in-law were all in tears. “It felt so special and true to me.” It was the delicate and dainty embroidered flowers that Iulia fell in love with, creating a romantic and whimsical look. She added a shrug for the ceremony for an extra elegant touch.
Molliner Photography
With Love and Flowers
Prioritizing their must-haves while maintaining the budget is always a challenge when it comes to wedding planning. Adam and Iulia got through it with constant communication about what was most important and where they could spend more or less of their budget. Their biggest splurge? Definitely florals. They had a chuppah covered in summer blooms, along with arrangements featuring some of Iulia’s favorite flowers: hydrangeas, garden roses, spray roses, and delphinium. “This was especially meaningful to me because my grandma had the most beautiful garden when I was growing up,” Iulia says. “She tended to it year-round and it bloomed so beautifully in the summer. Flowers have always been a meaningful part of my family traditions and a way of expressing love and making others feel welcomed.”
Celebration of Community
Adam and Iulia’s parents helped bring the wedding together, both during the planning and on the big day. “Our moms were heavily involved with everything from the decor to sourcing vendors and meeting with the venue when we couldn’t travel up from Miami,” Iulia says. “We loved having them bring their unique touches and creative ideas to the weekend.”
Having Adam’s father officiate the day also made the ceremony more meaningful. His personalized ceremony blended Adam’s Jewish traditions with Iulia’s Romanian heritage. “It was so special to be married by someone who knows and loves us so deeply.” He made them a custom tallit, Jewish prayer shawl, that incorporated symbols representing Iulia’s culture, their siblings, and their future family. Their moms also joined them under the chuppah to recite the Seven Blessings. Their siblings were also involved in the ceremony. Adam’s brothers served as his best men and Iulia’s sisters-in-law were her maid of honor and godmother, a traditional Romanian role for the marriage and future children. The siblings were also involved in the ring exchange and circling ceremony before the wedding. “It was just the most beautiful celebration of love, not just between Adam and I, but with our families and community.”
Molliner Photography
Iulia’s mom surprised them with a custom-made sailboat that feature lyrics to their first dance song, their names, and their wedding date. “It is such a beautiful piece that perfectly captures the vibe of the weekend and will live in our home for many years to come.”
The Details
Planner: Christine McFarlane Events Venue: Kent Island Resort Photographer: Molliner Photography Videographer: Sydney Koerber Films Caterer: Kent Island Resort Desserts: Blue Crab Cupcakes DJ/Band: Shortcut Sunny (welcome party); Limelight Event Group/ Julian Ross (wedding) Florist: Pretty Little Wedding Co. Hair: Klover Beauty Makeup Artist: Lux by Lily Officiant: Adam’s Father Rentals: Pretty Little Wedding Co. Stationery: Slate & Brush (save the dates and invitations); Christine McFarlane Events (day-of paper goods) Bride’s Attire: Mira Zwillinger, Karlee dress Shoes: Bella Belle Bridesmaid’s Attire: Dessy Groom’s Attire: Suit Supply Bride & Bridesmaids Getting Ready Attire: Piyama Transportation: Thoroughbred Other Decor: Friday Night Seating Chart, Paper Garden Co.
