We Didn't Realize Heirloom Grass Was A Thing Until We Heard About this Herrington on the Bay Wedding

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Callai and Austin slayed the wedding game with Zoom dance classes, gourmet s'mores, and prairie grass foraged from Callai's grandfather's Iowa property.

Couple: Callai Reed + Austin Carroll

Wedding date: October 9, 2020

Number of guests: 115

Favorite menu item: Raspberry cheesecake s'mores

// How They Met

Callai and Austin met in 2015, at a New Years Eve weekend in Nashville with friends. She says it wasn't "love at first sight," but when the pair reconnected four months later at a birthday party, they couldn't stop talking... about pop psychology books. So, naturally, they went all-in for their first date: Callai flew cross-country from Wisconsin to Maryland to help Austin do renovations on his new investment property. Her job was washing windows with Austin's grandmother!

// In Love With the Bay

Callai and Austin toured four venues, but Herrington on the Bay beat the bunch  with its waterfront view and onsite aesthetics. "The ceremony areas are beautifully landscaped, which decreased our need for florals," Callai says. The couple was also impressed with the warmth of the venue's staff and its catering service, which sources many of its ingredients from local farms.

// Croquet All Day

Callai's vision for her wedding was to create a comfortable, "boho-esque vibe" with pampas grass and muted gem tones. In lieu of suits, the groomsmen wore chinos and leather suspenders. One of the advantages to having an onsite event was that the wedding party could chill out all morning long. While getting ready, the guys played "rambunctious" versions of lawn and beach croquet and the girls meditated, pulled cards and jammed to 90s music. Callai made mala prayer beads for each of her bridesmaids with Indian agate and moonstone beads -- signifying courage, protection, and feminine self-love -- and Austin gifted his groomsmen his favorite books.

// Empire State of Mind

When it came to the dress, Callai was looking for something sexy and sparkly.  She visited a few shops in the Midwest with her mother and sister before finding "the One" in Columbia, Maryland: "It had an empire waist, which flattered my petite shape; a low back, which my mom wanted; and TONS of sparkle," she says, of the Essense of Australia gown.

// That Prairie Grass

The couple tapped Austin's mom, Patty, to do all of their flower arrangements, since she worked as a florist before Austin was born and has helped with a few weddings for family and friends in recent years. Per Callai's instruction, Patty incorporated pampas grass, white roses, and wild prairie grass from Callai's grandfather's land in Iowa.

// Give Me Both Your Hands 

Austin and Callai took West Coast Swing lessons from Jody Moscaritolo to ensure their first dance -- to "May I Have This Dance" by Francis and the Lights -- was fun and memorable. They did 6 one-hour lessons via Zoom, learning moves like the Sugar Tuck (Callai's favorite) and Whips (Austin's fave). "We definitely won’t get called for Dancing with the Stars, but we had so much fun doing it!" Callai says.

// That Friday Feeling

Austin's biggest priority was to make the wedding a multi-day experience. The Carrolls accomplished this in two ways: First, they scheduled their ceremony and reception for a Friday, which allowed them to save money but also ensured guests could hang out for an extra day before traveling home. Second, they rented an Airbnb for the week leading up to the wedding, so the wedding party could maximize their time together.

// The Details

Bride’s gown: Essense of Australia (designer), The Bridal Boutique (boutique) Bride’s hair: Bmore Bobby Pins Bride's makeup: The London Eye Beauty Bridesmaid dresses: Baltic Born Clothing Caterer: Herrington on the Bay Dance lessons: Ministry of Swing DJ + photo booth: Chris Styles Events Florals: Mother of the groom Groom's attire: Jos. A. Bank Month-of coordinator: Oak & Poppy Event Co. Officiant: Ceremony by Rachael Venue: Herrington on the Bay Videographer: TuckMedia