The Couple. David, 27, who works in the family catering business Ken’s Creative Kitchen, and Adrienne, a 25-year-old social studies teacher, met as servers at the Back Porch Café, David’s family’s restaurant in Annapolis. Six years after their meeting, David took Adrienne back to that spot to cele ate their anniversary, and though it wasn’t open for business that night, he made dinner for two and followed it with a proposal. “It was a complete surprise,” Adrienne says. “He had picked the ring out himself.”
The Venue. David and Adrienne chose to cele ate at The Brittland Manor and Estates. “We had both worked catering jobs there before at separate times and…we couldn’t imagine a more beautiful and romantic location,” Adrienne says. “We could have all of our friends and family together there for the whole weekend, which meant so much to us.” Over the weekend, the groom and his six groomsmen stayed in a river lodge right on the water with a beach, while the ide and her five maids, as well as family, stayed in the manor house.r
The Dresses. Although Adrienne waited until late in the planning process to pick out her dress—just two months before the wedding—when she found it, she knew it was the one. Adrienne walked down the aisle in Hayley Paige’s Hattie—a ball gown with a Crystal Georgette ballet bodice and a Georgette, organza and tulle skirt. “I cried when I tried it on. I knew it was the perfect dress for me and fit my style.”
The Floral Details. While flowers play a major role in most wedding décor, Adrienne and David kicked it up a notch. They held their ceremony outdoors in the garden overlooking fields and the Chester River, and flowers abounded. “Carolyn Bruckner,” their florist, Adrienne says, “created this perfect flower garland that was wrapped around the tree we got married under.” At the foot of the tree, the couple placed photographs of late family members. The reception tables alternated tall, extravagant floral centerpieces with low bouquets, and at each place setting Adrienne and David placed a small potted succulents as favors for each guest. “I wanted my wedding to have a romantic and bohemian feel to it,” Adrienne says. “And I felt flowers and candles everywhere, music, and a few personal touches could do it.” Even their cake—a five-tier Frasier cake chock full of fresh strawberries—was decorated with a different texture and floral design on each layer, and fresh flowers as well.r
main3
main3
The Cele ation. Adrienne and David hosted a cocktail hour by the pool on the Estate, with light guitar and bongo music and the couple’s signature cocktails: orange and grapefruit crushes. “It was amazing to get to talk to everyone who had traveled from everywhere to spend that day with us.” For dinner, the 160 guests gathered under the light-adorned clear tent for rockfish topped with crab imperial. “The speeches that were given were so touching,” Adrienne says, “and we got to spend the rest of the night cele ating.”r
main4
main4
The Ever After. Rather than a traditional honeymoon, Adrienne and David opted for a pre-wedding trip to Positano, Italy, and then headed to the beach for a few days after their nupitals to kick back and relax. These days, they say, things are going well. “Married life is the best,” Adrienne says. “It is the best feeling knowing I get to come home to my best friend every day for the rest of my life. There is nothing more I could ask for.”
r
Venue:
Brittland Manor and Estates, Chestertown
Linens and Rentals:
Rentals to Remember, Annapolis
Shutters and Picture Frames:
Painted by The Twisted Sisters, Annapolis
Tent:
Bryan Loane, Loane Bros. Tent Company, Baltimore
Florist:
Flower by Carolyn Buckner, Cache Fleur, Edgewater
Cake/desserts:
Patisserie Poupon, Baltimore
Dress:
Hayley Paige, Kleinfeld Bridal Salon, New York City
Bridesmaid Dresses:
J. Crew, Annapolis
Men's Attire:
Jos. Banks, Annapolis
Jeweler:
Zachary's, Annapolis
Stationary:
Hitched
Calligraphy:
Anne Mackechnie
Ceremony Entertainment:
Mike Heuer, Annapolis
Reception Dj:
My DeeJay, Baltimore
Photographer:
Mike Busada, Mike B Photography, Annapolis
Hair/Makeup:
Christine Penny, Angelberry Organics
Wedding Coordinator:
Ken Upton
Officiant:
Gioele Settem ini
First Dance:
Elton John's “Your Song,” performed by Mike Heuer