Kimberly Denn Photography
Steph Marrie + Nick Twilley
Brittland Manor | Kimberly Denn Photography
WEDDING DATE: SEPTEMBER 9, 2023
NUMBER OF GUESTS: 180
BEST DRINK: DANCE-FLOOR ESPRESSO MARTINIS
YOU FILL THE GAAP IN MY HEART
Although Steph and Nick were part of the same accounting team at work, it wasn’t until both began attending CPA softball games in the spring of 2019 that things got interesting. Nick was tall and had a great sense of humor; Steph was pretty and fun to be around. An end-of-busy-season party was the nudge they needed to try dating out.
ALL TOGETHER NOW
With ties to the Eastern Shore, the pair opted to host their fall wedding at Brittland Manor. “We wanted a venue where our closest family and friends could stay with us for the weekend,” Steph explains. Nick had attended a wedding at the Chestertown property several years before. “When we went for the tour, it was snowing and beautiful, and we immediately fell in love with it,” Steph says.
Kimberly Denn Photography
A friend of Steph’s designed custom koozies and stationery featuring the couple’s cat Lenny.
SOFT & FLORAL
Steph envisioned a classic wedding with soft colors, rattan chargers, and mix and match floral bridesmaid dresses. Her planner, Tara Staley of Clover Hill Events, says one of her favorite design elements was the large seating chart with ombre cards, wood basket lanterns, and florals from Hiddenvale Flowers.
SIXTH TIME’S THE CHARM
After a few strikeouts, Steph found her Rivini by Rita Vinieris dress at Love Couture in Bethesda. “I was really worried I would have to settle and wouldn’t have the ‘this is the one’ feeling but luckily I got it!” she says. For the reception, the bride changed into a crystal-embellished mini dress by Clio Peppiatt.
Kimberly Denn Photography
THE EYE OF THE STORM
One of the couple’s best decisions, they say, was hiring their planner. “Tara was so amazing to work with,” Steph says. When a surprise storm rolled in right after the ceremony, Tara sprung into action, quickly hanging up tent sidewalls with help from the Rouge Catering team. “It was storming, but I wasn’t stressed knowing that everything was in good hands,” Steph adds. The rain continued to bring challenges through cocktail hour, when the band actually lost power, but the couple’s vendors collaborated again to dry off equipment and repurpose a generator, so that the party never stopped.
Kimberly Denn Photography
“Having a pool at the venue was so fun,” says Steph. “We had a pool party on Friday and did the rehearsal in our bathing suits. Then, after the wedding, the guys jumped in with their tuxes!”
THE DETAILS
Bride’s gown: Love Couture Bridal Bride’s hair + makeup: Vintage Veils Cake: SugarBakers Catering: Rouge Catering Design + planning: Clover Hill Events Entertainment: Prime Time Band (Washington Talent Agency) Florist: Hiddenvale Flowers Groom’s attire: Bonobos Napkins: Just What I Wanted Photography: Kimberly Denn Photography Rentals: Eastern Shore Tents Transportation: Delmarva Craft Venue: Brittland Manor Videography: Cork and Banner
