This Herrington on the Bay Wedding Will Make You Love the Color Purple

We're coveting their uplighting, their flowery bridesmaid dresses, and their gosh-darn adorability.

Wedding date: June 16, 2019

Number of guests: 150

Best food item: Crab dip sliders

Favorite detail: Their choreographed first dance, a mash up of “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz and “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake

St. Patty, Patron Saint of Love

Michelle Pham and Chris DeLeo met at a St. Patty’s bar crawl in Arlington in 2016. Chris was working the raffle table, when Michelle strolled by, seemingly alone, and they struck up a conversation. A week later, the couple went on their first date, christened with two shots of tequila. “We connected instantly on our similar interests,” Michelle explains. Both liked to travel, had moved out West during the same time period, and shared a love of hiking and snowboarding.

Say Cheese!

For Michelle’s 30th birthday, Chris planned a surprise party and trip to Punta Cana. One evening, he asked her to take a walk along the beach. As they sat and watched the waves, Michelle heard someone yell, “I’m ready!” It turned out to be the resort photographer. “We’ve always joked about how ridiculous it is when people do resort photographs, so I was really confused,” Michelle admits. But her sly boyfriend assured her he just wanted to do something nice for his birthday queen. While the pair posed, Chris stubbed his toe — a cue to the photographer to distract his unwitting beau. The photographer missed his moment, but Chris didn’t and a teary Michelle said “Yes!”

Mismatched Mastery

Michelle invited her bridesmaids to choose their own pastel floral dresses. She created a Google document to share deals and finds, as well as to make sure each bridesmaid had a different color and design. “I’ve been in several weddings and know how costly and uncomfortable some dresses can be,” Michelle explains. “I wanted my friends to feel confident and comfortable!”

Something Blue

Chris and Michelle blended their favorite colors to tie together details: blue for napkins and the groomsmen’s suits, purple for the bridesmaid’s bouquets and tent uplighting.

Palm Trees in MD

Michelle originally envisioned a destination wedding, but when her dad’s health started to decline she looked for a beach venue closer to home. “Herrington on the Bay checked everything off our list, especially the palm trees at the ceremony site,” Michelle says. “The staff there was so welcoming and informative at the initial meeting that we were ready to book that day!”

Wedding Potamus

Michelle’s mom, who is a retired pastry chef, made the couple’s three-tier vanilla cake, which was frosted with vanilla and mocha icing. For the cake topper, the bride searched for something original and cutesy that could serve as a fun momento. “Hippos are my favorite animal, all before the hype!” Michelle says. She found an Etsy vendor who let the couple customize tiny details, including imparting Chris’ hippopotamus likeness with green eyes.

DeLeos' Got Talent

Instead of using professionals for beauty, styling, and other services, Michelle and Chris relied on a network of talented friends. “We wanted to keep costs low and stick to our budget,” Michelle says. A friend who used to do hair and makeup for local fashion shows helped Michelle get ready, while a college pal who runs an Etsy design shop created a cartoon illustration for the couple’s guestbook. 

Credits

BRIDE'S GOWN: Stella York (designer) // HAIRPIECE: A Goddess Divine // SHOES: Sam Edelman // CAKE: Bride's mom // CAKE TOPPER: Garden4Arts // FLORALS: Flower Follies // GUESTBOOK: Sheree Brand Paper Co // INVITATIONS: Minted // MEN'S ATTIRE: Kenneth Cole // MUSIC: Crow Entertainment // RENTALS: 2hands Studios // RINGS: Blue Nile // VIDEOGRAPHY: Sundream Films