Birds of a Feather Photography
Audrey & Mark April 10, 2021 Silver Swan Bayside, Stevensville Birds of a Feather Photography
STOOD UP?
Mark was the all-star baseball player and Audrey… well, Mark wasn’t really sure who Audrey was until he connected with her on Facebook several years after they had both graduated from the same high school. When Audrey posted an update about getting her first big-girl job with a national homebuilder, Mark, working for another homebuilder at the time, reached out to find out what he could earn working for Audrey’s company. This led to a resume session, Preakness with Mark’s friends, a local bar outing, and, eventually, an interview for Audrey’s company, which embarrassingly, Mark never showed up for! But the damage had been done, and Mark had already insinuated his way into Audrey’s heart.
Birds of a Feather Photography
In order to honor their Catholic upbringing, Audrey and Mark planned a private ceremony at St. Mary’s Bryantown before their public ceremony on April 10. “Mark grew up going to St. Mary’s Bryantown, so it was very touching that he was able to get married in the same church that he was baptized and confirmed in,” Audrey adds.
MARRYING CONDITIONS
Because of her side hustle coordinating weddings for the Hitched Co., Audrey had plenty of expertise to draw from when it came to planning her own wedding. She knew she wanted nothing to do with bugs or bad weather, so she focused her search on indoor venues in Annapolis. The first venue Audrey visited seemed like the one, until she brought her husband to-be to tour it. “He said it looked like a dungeon, and no amount of florals or drapery would convince him otherwise,” Audrey says. With options running out, Audrey widened her radius to Kent Island. COVID shutdowns prevented the couple from touring in person, but the view from a window was enough to satisfy Mark. Silver Swan Bayside had the indoor space both parties desired. The irony is that, ultimately, Audrey turned out to be a tent bride. Due to COVID, most of their reception was held outside.
NEUTRAL TERRITORY
Audrey knew she wanted a timeless look for her day, so she anchored her decor with a neutral palette. After ordering linen samples from Nuage Designs, all details fell into place. “With a soft blue and white color scheme and a neutral charger, a lemon place card was the perfect personal touch and pop of color that the overall table design needed,” she says.
Birds of a Feather Photography
“I had a few vendors who I HAD to have. I determined my must-haves, and scheduled the date around their availability! There is nothing like trusting your vendors, knowing your vendors, and being able to be yourself around them.”
GROOMZILLA!
Mark wanted to be involved with the planning, but “we quickly learned he was a groomzilla and very opinionated!” Audrey says. In order to appease her husband-to-be, Audrey obtained three different quotes from each vendor. “After most vendors were signed, he was out of the planning!” The couple had different perspectives on what constituted a splurge, but, as a visual person, Audrey knew she wanted to prioritize florals, linens and table chargers, and photography.
Birds of a Feather Photography
FRUGAL FLOWERS?
Even as a professional, Audrey had a tough time locating a “good, reasonably priced florist.” Jamie Taylor, the owner of J Starr’s Flower Barn, was the only vendor she hadn’t worked with before, but the florist exceeded all expectations, Audrey says. “She was able to create exactly what I pictured, and executed flawlessly on the day-of.”
EVERYBODY LOVES FRANKLIN
Mark and Audrey’s dog Franklin is the light of their world, so it was only appropriate that he made many appearances throughout the ceremony and reception. The couple had a Franklin figurine for their cake, a cutout near their sweetheart table, and Franklin’s mug embossed on cookies and socks.
Birds of a Feather Photography
THE DETAILS
Bride’s gown: BHLDN
Bride’s hair + makeup: Miranda Paige Beauty Bride’s alterations: BeFitted Tailoring Co. Bridesmaid dresses: Show Me Your Mumu
Cake: Graul’s Market
Calligraphy: Kate Slayton Lettering
Cookies: The Cookie Jar
DJ: DJ Jon Depompa
Florals: JStarr Flower Barn
Groomsmen: Generation Tux
Invitations: Minted
Linens: BBJ Linen + Nuage Designs
Photography: Birds of a Feather Photography
Planning: The Hitched Co.
