Sarah Murray Photography
WEDDING DATE: August 27, 2022
NUMBER OF GUESTS: 260
MEANINGFUL MENU: SUSHI APPS INSPIRED BY THEIR FIRST DATE
A HEART-SHAPED HOLE
Molly and Brendan, both Ocean City natives, met during a party at Brendan’s house in January 2012. When Molly arrived, a group was heading to the garage to drop in on Brendan’s halfpipe. Molly is not a skateboarder, but with Brendan’s help, she nailed the move — and subsequently punched a hole through the ceiling in her excitement. “Years later, Brendan looked at that hole and realized it was in the shape of a heart,” Molly says.
THE BIG HOUSE ON THE WATER
“Waterfront” and “manor house” were the two major criteria Molly and Brendan used for their Maryland venue search. Brittland Estates was the sprawling, scenic answer with 530 acres set along the Chester River. The couple selected a four-day rental package so that their bridal party and families could settle in and enjoy the weekend. “It made it feel like a little vacation,” Molly says.
Sarah Murray Photography
Brendan deferred to Molly when it came to most planning decisions. His only essentials were to wear Vans and for their friends and family to have a blast.
BLACK & BOHO
Molly’s goal was to make the wedding “feel like us,” so she traded champagne toasts (off-brand) for grapefruit crush shots that guests picked up on their way to their seats. Her other departure from tradition was bringing in black matte accents and custom rattan chandeliers for cocktail hour in the rose garden. The “elevated bohemian” aesthetic was the work of Adriana Gorman, the owner of Adriana Marie Events, who Molly says was her “favorite detail” of her wedding. “Adriana was the best decision I made. She was able to keep me calm and was so helpful at executing my vision.”
STRESSED ABOUT THE DRESS
Molly hated dress shopping. She says the stress of picking the right gown was the worst part of wedding planning. But ultimately, she trusted her gut and chose a dress she loved the first time she saw it — a Galia Lahav design with floor-length shoulder bows, 3D flowers, and a trumpet silhouette.
Sarah Murray Photography
Guests threw dried jasmine buds for Molly and Brendan’s grand exit. “The idea was to create a “floating” effect like snow in August,” their planner Adriana Gorman explains.
STEALTH PLANS
Thanks to the thoughtfulness of their parents and planner, Molly and Brendan’s wedding was full of surprises. First off: their menu, which Adriana surreptitiously studded with the couple’s favorite foods. During the reception, there was an unexpected live performance from Molly’s cousin Tony Lucca, who appeared on The Voice. Another sneaky, sentimental detail was the couple’s getaway car, which had belonged to Molly’s late grandfather. “It was incredibly special to have that piece of him as part of their day and part of their portraits,” Adriana says.
THE RIGHT OFFICIANT
Molly asked the father of her best friend, Joe Gamble, to officiate the wedding. “We wanted someone who knew us and who would feel comfortable blessing us with marriage and Joe has a very successful marriage and is a great guy,” she explains.
Sarah Murray Photography
THE DETAILS
Bride’s gown: Galia Lahav (designer) Bride’s hair: Oh My Hair + Blush Hair Studio Bride’s makeup: Kelley Unthank Cake: Peony & Meringue Catering: Rouge Catering Fireworks: Serpico Pyrotechnics Florals: Wild Pollen Hotel: Brampton Inn + Comfort Inn Moon bounce: Leave It To Gina Events Music: Mixing Maryland Officiant: Joe Gamble Photography: Sarah Murray Photography Photo Booth: Active Photo Booth Pizza truck: Dizzy Cow Pizzeria Planning: Adriana Marie Events Rentals: Eastern Shore Tents + White Glove Rentals Stationery: Letters from Juliana Transportation: Thoroughbred Transportation Venue: Brittland Estates Videography: 87 & Smith
