November 22, 2014 // The Oaks Waterfront Inn // TPoz Photography
The Couple
Kristi and Katie first met as children playing on the same soccer team. Later on, in their twenties, the two began running into each other at the bars and at Baltimore Pride each year. It seemed as though one of them was always in a relationship and so it never went further than that. Eventually, that changed. After their paths crossed through an online dating site that told them they were only a 4% match, they decided to finally go on a date to see if that 4% match was wrong or not. It turns out online dating sites aren’t always accurate!
The Proposal
Katie proposed first. She planned for the couple to do a Christmas card with friends and family spelling out “Merry Christmas” but secretly they had on shirts underneath their sweaters that spelled out “Will you marry me?” Kristi was completely surprised. About seven months later, Kristi took Katie to Rehoboth Beach for the day. Kristi is always pushing Katie to do things she is not comfortable with. They were in the water up to their shoulders where most of the people were standing. Kristi kept telling Katie to come out further. Katie said she was fine where she was and told Kristi to go out by herself. Kristi slowly convinced Katie, pulling her out further into the ocean. Once they were out there, Kristi reached under the water and put a ring on Katie’s finger.
The Venue
The couple had been to a wedding at The Oaks a few months before getting engaged. “Everything about their wedding was exactly what we wanted,” the couple explains. “Our favorite part about The Oaks was that our parents and idal parties were all able to stay right there with us. We were able to have an entire wedding weekend with all the people we loved the most. It really does go by so fast, but having that weekend made it last a little bit longer. We absolutely recommend The Oaks to any couple looking for a venue in Maryland.”
The Dress
Katie wore a Maggie Sottero gown with lace straps. Kristi wore a strapless gown, but she did a costume change in the middle of the reception and put on pants, suspenders, and a white button down shirt. Kristi said that the outfit change was one of the best decisions she made in the wedding planning. Katie wore her dress to the after-party at Carpenter Street Saloon.
The Wedding Party
They each had seven people in their idal parties and their mutual friend was the officiant. Three of their friends’ children were the flower girls and the ring girl. Each idesmaid received custom Converse sneakers from the couple as a gift. Katie’s idal party wore low-top green shoes with grey accents. Kristi’s party wore grey high-tops with green accents. Everyone wore their Converse sneakers all night, and they still wear them to this day.
The Gift Exchange
Katie bought Kristi a necklace with a Celtic Knot and diamonds to wear on wedding day. She bought herself the same one. Kristi gave Katie thoughtful presents throughout the day that were delivered by her idesmaids. She gave her a card and a handmade canvas that illustrated their love story.
The Reading
The poem Sonnet XVII by Pablo Neruda has been important to the women throughout their entire relationship. Katie teaches the poem in her class and Kristi has a tattoo that says, “I know no other way.” Katie and Kristi always say that they know no other way than loving each other. Katie and Kristi’s idesmaids took turns reading stanzas and then Katie and Kristi finished the poem reading, “I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride; so I love you because I know no other way that this: where I does not exist, nor you, so close that your hand on my chest is my hand, so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.”
The Best Decision
The best decisions they feel they made were related to their chosen vendors. “Having the entire weekend with the people we love really turned the best day of our lives into the best weekend of our lives. We know that we will probably never have ever single one of those people in the same place again, so we were so grateful to have more than a one-night wedding thanks to The Oaks.” The Oaks wasn’t the only decision they found to be well made. “We loved working with Teri of TPoz photography and we love our pictures even more. And we are so happy that we chose John Paul at Absolute Entertainment.”
The Advice
“Go back every year for your anniversary! We went back last year and spent one night at Bartlett Pear Inn and another night at The Inn at Perry Cabin. We ran into a couple who was also cele ating their anniversary and went to the same two places that we did! We’re hoping to see them again next year!” Maryland can be a small world!
Planner/ Designer:
Tracey George from The Oaks
Florist:
Mary-Ruth Chapin
DJ:
John Paul Berry at Absolute Entertainment
Caterer:
The Oaks Waterfront Inn
Cake/ Baker:
The Oaks Waterfront Inn
Bridal gown stores:
Amanda Richey Bridal and Elegant Touch
Gown designer:
Maggie Sottero
Brides' makeup:
Amanda Richey Bridal
Brides' hair:
Amanda Richey Bridal
Engagement ring store:
Smyth Jewelers
Wedding bands store:
Smyth Jewelers
Bride's shoes:
Nordstrom
Bridesmaid dresses store:
Amanda Richey Bridal
Favors/ Gifts:
Rolling Pin Productions
Wedding hashtag:
#kklovestory
