Michael and Lydia met in 2015 through mutual friends. “One of my college friends was dating Michael’s best friend and she convinced me to head to their hometown from college and Michael was home visiting after a recent deployment. We texted on and off for a couple of months and then I got the courage to fly down to visit him in Texas and the rest was history.”
The couple got engaged on Christmas Day in 2019. “Our first apartment together was in Ellicott City and Michael had an idea of going back downtown to see it since the last flood. He let me lead the entire afternoon and I had no idea he was going to propose. We sat down to take a picture and then he popped the question. Our proposal was better than I could have ever imagined.”
Eighty guests, including an eleven-person wedding party, helped the couple celebrate their December 2021 wedding at Holly Hills Country Club. “Michael’s brother was our officiant so I was able to construct our entire ceremony and make it the way I wanted it to be. It was unique to be able to see my thoughts and words come to life.”
Lydia and Michael leaned into their December wedding and had a Christmas-centric wedding, using a red and green color palette for their decor. “Our centerpieces were wreaths and had glass cylinders filled with holly berries and snow and pinecones. The bridesmaids wore wine-colored dresses and the groomsmen’s vest and tie were wine-colored.”
“We postponed for almost an entire year but got legally married so we went into our wedding day almost a year after getting married however postponing was the best decision we made to have our real wedding. The entire day was perfect, from getting ready to our first look to the sparkler exit, I wish I could relive that day over and over again.”
Michael is a college savings representative and Lydia is a gymnastics coach. They reside in Westminster, Maryland.
First Dance: Made for You by Jake Owen
Honeymoon: Royal Caribbean Cruise
Vendors
Venue: Holly Hills Country Club**
Photography: Simply Picturesque Photography
Flowers: Something Borrowed Blooms
Hair & Makeup: Gentry Beauty
Entertainment: Great Scott Productions
Transportation: On the Town Limousines**