June 25, 2016 // Prospect Bay Country Club // Lauren Myers Photography
The Proposal
Brad proposed to Tori on Christmas Day of 2014 surrounded by family under the Christmas tree. The proposal was completely unexpected by the ide and graciously accepted. But that was after she made sure Brad had asked her dad’s permission. Apparently her entire immediate family was able to keep the secret and had been in on the surprise months before the proposal.
The Planning Process
To Tori, the best part of planning a wedding was all of the practice she got saying “my fiancé!” when introducing Brad or talking about him and the wedding. “The best may have actually been the donut tasting, though,” she states upon reflection.
The Venue
Tori’s mom picked Prospect Bay Country Club as their venue. “It was the last one we had to look at and we put a deposit down that day,” Tori recalls. “Monica was amazing during the planning process and capturing the exact look we wanted. The staff went above and beyond all of our expectations while making it look easy. I have never met a more friendly and positive staff! The outdoor setup was beautiful and made us feel so very special. The food was hot and delicious. The price was right on the money. Our guests felt welcomed and we had plenty of room for our 250 guest count.” Tori also remembers that staff made her feel at ease throughout the whole process especially the week of and the day of despite calling herself “a very anxious person.”
The First Look
Tori and Brad chose not to have a first look prior to the wedding ceremony. “We wanted to stick to tradition and share in the initial moment together with our friends and family,” they explain. Tori did, however, do a first look with her father. “That was so very special,” she recalls. “We both cried like babies.”
The Walk
Tori’s favorite memory was when she was walking to the ceremony across the golf course with her father. “Not a single guest knew which way we were coming until they saw us come across the idge. It extended my walk with my dad, giving us more time to share and let us all bask in the moment a little longer. I felt like I was the most special girl in the world!”
The Best Decision
“Having a large wedding in the small town where I grew up, surrounded by all the people who love and support us, was the most wonderful decision I made.”
The Best Advice
The best marriage advice the couple got was to keep dating each other and they have found that to be very true. “Once you get back to reality and reality changes, your relationship does not. We are more in love now than we ever have been, but we definitely work on it.”
The Details:
Planner/ Designer: Monica Beasley (Wedding Coordinator) | Florist: Country Petaller | DJ: Bob Reading | Caterer/Venue: Prospect Bay Country Club | Cake/ Baker: Fields of Heather Bakery | Bridal gown store: Annapolis Formal and Tuxedo | Gown designer: Kenneth Winston | Bride’s makeup: Dorsey Beauty | Bride’s hair: Morgan Gerard Salon | Bridesmaid dresses store: Annapolis Formal and Tuxedos | Bridesmaid dress designer: Watters | Men’s attire store: Annapolis Formal and Tuxedos | Stationer: Paper In the Park | Wedding hashtag: #MartzStoleHerHeart | Registry: Macy's, Bed Bath Beyond, and Kohls