Author

Frederick News-Post

Springfield Manor Brunch Wedding :: Real Frederick Wedding :: John + Emma

John and Emma met in April 2018 in the machine shop at Grove City College where they were both attending school and on the SAE Baja team, a racing competition to build off-road vehicles that can withstand harsh elements and rough terrain. “Our team was packing up for the annual Nationals race. We got to know each other the very next week at the race.”

The couple got engaged in April of 2021. “I took Emma for a walk around a local park with a very poorly mapped frisbee golf course. Under the pretense of mapping the course ourselves, I turned on my GPS watch’s tracking mode as we wandered through the woods and fields. What Emma did not know, is that my every step was taken by calculation and practice, as I had planned and tested this exact walk a few times on my own already. By the time we were done, the GPS map overlay we had created was actually a gigantic spelling out of ‘Marry Me?’”

Ninety guests were in attendance for their July wedding, including a six-person wedding party. “Our ceremony was deeply interwoven with our Christian faith. We concluded our ceremony by partaking in communion as our first act as a married couple.”

The couple wanted their wedding to reflect their laid-back personalities while also reflecting the gravity and sanctity of the commitment they were making. “We loved the idea of an outdoor wedding, since we both love spending time outdoors, and as we both love breakfast food, we decided a brunch wedding would be ideal.”

They chose peach and blue as their wedding colors and incorporated lots of meaningful details into their day. “Our wedding bands were John’s great great grandparents. John’s bow tie was made by his sister out of fabric that was a table cloth made by his great-grandmother for his parent’s wedding. Emma’s necklace was a gift from her aunt and grandmother.”

John is a design engineer for Honda Development and Manufacturing of America and Emma is a mechanical engineer for the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. They currently reside Accokeek, Maryland.

First dance: The Marriage Prayer, John Waller

Honeymoon: Acadia National Park

Vendors

Venue: Springfield Manor**

Catering: The Carriage House**

Photography: Ica Images

Dessert: Tastefully Ever After

Flowers: Blossom & Basket**

**FrederickWeddings.com member

Announcements Engagement

Carignan and Cullen Engagement

Sylvia Carignan and Graham Cullen, who met while working in the newsroom at The Frederick News-Post, have announced their engagement. Graham proposed while they were on vacation at Assateague Island.

Sylvia is the daughter of Paul and Sue Carignan of Damascus. Graham is the son of E.T. Cullen III and the late Elizabeth Ann Cullen of Frederick.

Their wedding will be held in Gaithersburg in September.

Real Weddings

May Holly Hills Wedding :: Real Frederick Wedding :: Jamie + Thomas

Jamie and Thomas first met in 2007 through mutual friends in high school. “We went to different high schools and Thomas was two years older. We briefly dated my junior year of high school and remained best friends and hung out frequently. Fast forward a few years and we decided to try again and from there on, the rest was history.”

The couple got engaged while on a family cruise in 2019. “His parents set up a photoshoot to take family photos one night before dinner. He had the ring hidden in his dad’s pocket so as we were taking our couples photos the photographer had his parents step in to take a photo with us where his dad handed him the ring and then they quickly got out of the frame. Confused, I turned around to see Thomas down on one knee.”

Seventy-five guests were in attendance for their May nuptials at Holly Hills Country Club, including an eight-person wedding party. “It was the first warm day of the season but not too hot. During our ceremony, we surprised everyone with a dancing ‘flower dude.’ We did not have a flower girl or ring bearer so this was hilarious. He was truly the highlight of our ceremony.”

Jamie chose a color palette of dusty blue, creams, and greenery for their wedding decor. They also had a sparkler exit at the end of the night. “I was really going for light spring colors and the touch of greenery was perfect.”

Jamie is the lead infant and toddler teacher at a preschool in Damascus. Thomas is a car sales manager. They currently reside in Hagerstown.

First dance: Perfect by Ed Sheeran

Honeymoon: Punta Cana

Vendors

Venue: Holly Hills Country Club**

Photography: Mel Kay Photography

Hair & Makeup: Metro Elegance

Flowers: America’s Beautiful Florist

Dessert: Heavenly Cheesecakes

**FrederickWeddings.com member

Real Weddings

April Milton Ridge micro wedding :: Real Frederick Wedding :: Ashley + Luis

Ashley and Luis met in 2017 at a Safeway grocery store. “I had been out with friends so I looked particularly cute. He complimented my outfit and introduced himself like a gentleman. He texted me that evening to see if I got home safely. I thought it was sweet. We went out on a date a few days later and had a great time and have been together ever since.”

Luis proposed on New Year’s Eve in 2019. “I proposed to her after the New Year’s countdown. We were out with friends and when we left I asked if we could stop by the Safeway we met at because I, ‘wanted to grab food for breakfast.’ It was closed but I asked her to get out of the car anyway. The moon was out, the world was quiet. It was perfect.”

Ten guests were in attendance for their April 2021 wedding at Milton Ridge. “We wanted something beautiful but intimate. The sweet little nondenominational chapel was exactly what we were looking for. We had a small in-person guest count and about 80 people on Zoom.”

“Our wedding party was Luis’ best man and friend of 20 plus years and my maid of honor was a friend of 25 plus years. I made the boutonnieres and the bouquets. My mom passed when I was 12 so I had her charm bracelet wrapped in my bouquet to have her with me.”

Luis is a Visitor Service Assistance at a local museum and Ashley is a Spiritual Wellness Practitioner. They currently reside in Silver Spring, Maryland.

First dance: Is This Love by Bob Marley covered by Corinne Bailey Rae

Vendors

Venue: Milton Ridge

Photography: Pearly Kate Photography**

Rings: Brilliant Earth

Decor: VKA Creations

**FrederickWeddings.com member

Announcements

Frank-Mallery Engagement

Jeff Mallery and Minny Frank announce their engagement- they are planning a September 2022 wedding. Minny is a legal assistant and Jeff works in maintenance.

Announcements

Shelton-Alder Wedding

Kevin Edward Alder and Jessica Ann Shelton were married on October 1, 2021 at Linganore Winery in Mt. Airy. Jessica is a medical assistant and Kevin is a deputy sheriff. They currently reside in Frederick.

“We would like to thank everyone that help celebrated our coming together and special thanks to the bride’s parents for everything they did to make their daughter’s dream wedding came true!”

Jewelry

Waldin Jewelers

WEBSITE: https://www.waldinjewelers.com/

PHONE: (301) 644-6325

EMAIL: waldinjewelers@live.com

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/waldinfsk/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/waldinfsk

YEARS IN BUSINESS: 29

Waldin Jewelers is a family-owned business that has been serving Frederick, Carroll, and Montgomery Counties since 1992 with innovative, high-quality bridal collections. Our Certified diamond and gold wedding sets, along with our attentive, professional staff, have earned us the loyalty of thousands of valued customers.

With 931 Five Star Google reviews, we have many excellent ones like this: “We bought a ring from Joan today and she was absolutely fantastic! She walked us through the process of buying a ring and assuaged all worries we might have. Definitely support this family-run small business if you can, it beats all other stores in Frederick!”

We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, easy layaway financing, no credit financing, and more.

Real Weddings

July Holly Hills Wedding :: Real Frederick Wedding :: Jazmyne and Brandon

Jazmyne and Brandon met in 2015 on a dating website. “I helped him sign up for college classes at FCC. We then had our first date at Texas Roadhouse and from that day forward we not only fell in love, but we became the best of friends anyone could ask for.”

Sixty guests, including a four-person wedding party, were in attendance for their July Holly Hills nuptials. “Covid made the wedding planning in the beginning hard, but closer to our date a lot of restrictions were lifted. We loved Holly Hills the first time we toured it. The outdoor area was beautiful and the entrance to the venue is breathtaking.”

The couple had a semi-formal reception with the decor in shades of pink, maroon, and navy. “We choreographed our own wedding song and wanted our first dance to be more than turning in circles. The dancing was my favorite part of the day- everyone enjoying each other’s company and lots of laughing.”

Brandon is an HVAC tech and Jazmyne is an office administrator. They reside in Frederick.

first dance: You, Jason Cassidy

Honeymoon: Ocean City

Vendors

Venue: Holly Hills Country Club**

Photography: Kendall Blake Photography

Jewelry: Littman

Dessert: Holly’s Homemade

Hair & Makeup: Veronica Kerrigan

Entertainment: Electrolinear Entertainment

**FrederickWeddings.com

Real Weddings

Colorful May Wedding :: FReal Frederick Wedding :: Meagan + Brittany

Brittany and Meagan met in 2017 at Penn State through a mutual friend. “The first time we met, we spent time together at Meagan’s apartment and shared a bottle of wine while we watched re-runs of the hit 90’s TV show, The Amanda Show. We immediately hit it off and have since then visited Penn State together every year since we met.”

Meagan had been planning her proposal to Brittany for months and had contemplated the best location for the big day. “I originally had planned to propose in Ireland, as we had a trip planned, but instead proposed at the site of our first date- Barley & Hops in Frederick, MD. Little did I know that Brittany had been planning a proposal at the same time. Just a few days later during our Ireland trip, she got down on one knee in the middle of the Guinness Storehouse Gravity Bar in Dublin. Our family told us it was very difficult to keep everything a secret when they knew both proposals were planned around the same timeframe. Now it is something we laugh about and is a true testament to how in sync we are with one another.”

100 guests, including an eight-person wedding party, were in attendance for their outdoor May wedding, which included a traditional Celtic hand-fasting ceremony. “Brittany and I chose my parent’s home in Middletown, MD as our wedding venue because it had a beautiful view of Middletown Valley and provided a 3.5-acre lot to host a large group of people. It was the most picture-perfect wedding we could have ever dreamt of.”

The couple chose a spring color palette of sage green, blush, and masala. “We were going for a laid-back wedding and requested guests wear garden party attire such as sundresses or floral prints. We minimized formality and encouraged our guests to have a good time.”

Meagan is a systems engineer for the U.S. Navy and Brittany is a mortgage loan officer assistant for Fulton Bank. They currently reside in Middletown.

First dance: Finally, Beautiful Stranger

Honeymoon: Cancun

Vendors

Venue: private home

Photography: Pearly Kate Photography**

Catering: PIGS BBQ

Hair & Makeup: Belleza Hair & Nail Studio

Drinks: Lakefront Fine Wine & Spirits

Dessert: Momma’s In The Kitchen

Flowers: Bloominous

Rentals: Jefferson Rentals

Band: Triple Lindy

**FrederickWeddings.com member

Before the Wedding Services Gifts + Favors + Registries Local Resources Unique Experiences

DISTRICT Arts

WEBSITE: https://www.districtarts.com/wedding-registry

PHONE: (301) 695-4050

EMAIL: info@districtarts.com

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DistrictArtsFrederick

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/districtarts/

YEARS IN BUSINESS: 3

DISTRICT Arts is a contemporary art gallery in the heart of the historic district in downtown Frederick. Our unique and FREE wedding registry service is a simple way for your loved ones to give a meaningful gift that you will always cherish.

When you choose to start a registry at DISTRICT Arts, you’ll be invited to the gallery to personally select works that speak to you. Your selections will be added to a private web page, which you can share among your friends and family. Gift cards are also available. When someone purchases something from your registry, you’ll be notified immediately so you can pick up your piece at the gallery, along with a special message from the gift giver.

Housewares tend to come and go, but original art offers a lifelong expression that will reflect the beauty of your union. For more information, or to create your gallery registry, contact DISTRICT Arts at (301) 695-4050 or districtarts.com/contact.

Real Weddings

July Holly Hills Wedding :: Real Frederick Wedding :: Alison and Josh

Josh and Alison met through a friend in 2012 while Alison was attending St. Vincent College. The couple got engaged at Sugarloaf Mountain and celebrated with a trip to Attaboy and Idiom, two breweries in Downtown Frederick.

Ninety-seven guests were in attendance, including a ten-person wedding party for their July 2021 wedding, which was postponed a year due to Covid-19. “We decided to postpone it a year and wanted to move it outside to make our guests feel more comfortable.”

The traditional Catholic ceremony was held at Saint Katharine Drexel, followed by a reception, at Holly Hills Country Club. “We decided to have our wedding in Frederick because it is where we call home and there are a lot of fun things to do here. Holly Hills stood out to us because of the beautiful views.”

The couple chose a color palette of navy and dusty rose for their laid-back wedding, as well as several nods to their hometown of Pittsburgh which included a traditional cookie table and Pittsburgh-themed corn hole board. They also had a sparkler exit to finish off their Independence Day weekend wedding.

Alison is a Spanish Teacher in Washington County and Josh works for the National Institute of Health. They currently reside in Frederick.

First dance: Living of Love by The Avett Brothers

Honeymoon: Iceland

Vendors

Ceremony: Saint Katherine Drexel Catholic Church

Reception: Holly Hills Country Club**

Photography: Maddy Williams Photography

Dessert: Sweet and Savory Bake Shop

Flowers: Blossom and Basket**

Alterations: Elegant Forever Bridal

Entertainment: Tony Pecora

Transportation: On The Town Limousine**

**FrederickWeddings.com member

Uncategorized

Summer Stone Manor Wedding :: Real Frederick Wedding :: Erin + Stuart

Erin and Stuart met in a 7th-grade science class at Ballenger Creek Middle School in 2005. “I asked to switch seats because Stuart was super social and talked too much. His friendly nature ended up being one of the traits I love most about him. We started dating the summer after we graduated in 2011.”

Stuart joined the Navy and in May 2015, he received orders to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to serve on a submarine. The couple had a long-distance relationship until Erin joined Stuart in Hawaii in 2018. “We were there for two years until he separated from the Navy and we moved back to Maryland in February 2020. Our plan was to get married in June 2020, but the pandemic happened and we had to postpone our wedding first to September 2020 and then June 2021.”

The couple got engaged in December 2015, after Stuart had flown home from Hawaii for the Holidays. “We walked around downtown and then made it to the bell tower in Baker Park. He stopped and began talking about our future together before bending down on one knee. Stuart chose to propose at Baker Park because that is where my dad proposed to my mom.”

145 guests, including a twelve-person wedding party, helped Erin and Stuart celebrate their June nuptials. “We decided to return to Frederick because of the community, friends, family, and memories we have here. Our ceremony was officiated by a friend who personalized our ceremony to talk about our 10-year relationship.”

With so many couples needing to reschedule wedding dates due to the pandemic, Erin and Stuart had limited choices for their wedding day. “We had to have our wedding on a Monday, which meant guests needing to take off work to make it. Even with it being on a Monday, our guests were so supportive.”

Erin is the Coordinator of Undergraduate Recruitment for UMBC-Shady Grove. Stuart is a DevOps Engineer for Booz Allen Hamilton. They currently reside in Jefferson.

First dance: Jason Aldean- You Make it Easy

Honeymoon: Colorado

Vendors

Venue: Stone Manor**

Catering: Carriage House**

Photography: Dana Renee Photography

Dress: TLC Bridal Boutique**

Flowers: Adrienne’s Flower

Hair & Makeup: Poetically Brushed

Entertainment: Jim Moss

Transportation: A Touch of Class Limousines

**FrederickWeddings.com member

Real Weddings

June Fountain Head Country Club Wedding :: Real Frederick Wedding :: Peyton + Benjamin

Benjamin and Peyton met through a mutual friend in 2017 at Hagerstown Community College, where they were both education majors. “Benjamin had changed his history class so he could get to know me better. We talked all of the time and began hanging out every day.”

The two got engaged in June of 2019. “We were on a family vacation in Disney World. The resort had carriage rides and Benjamin planned a ride that evening. Benjamin filled an adventure book with pictures. On the last page he wrote, ‘will you marry me?’ and got down on one knee.

75 guests, including an eight-person wedding party, helped the couple celebrate their June nuptials at Dahlgren Chapel, followed by a reception at FountainHead Country Club. “Our wedding ceremony was small and intimate. We have bigger families and that was the majority of our guest list. It was amazing and very us. We are very quiet people and that’s how our ceremony was.”

Benjamin and Peyton are both teachers in Washington County. They currently reside in Hagerstown.

Honeymoon: Disney World

Vendors

Ceremony: Dahlgren Chapel

Reception: FountainHead Country Club**

Photography: LindseyMarie Photography

Dessert: StoneWerks

Flowers: Roostervane

Entertainment: NiteLife DJ

**FrederickWeddings.com member

Announcements Engagement

Shelton-Alder Engagement

Jessica Shelton and Kevin Alder announce their engagement. The two met online.

Jessica graduated from Governor Thomas Johnson High School in 2013 and Frederick Community College in 2021 with Associates in Medical Assisting. Kevin graduated from Linganore High School in 2014, then Frederick Community College in 2016 with Associates in Criminal Justice. He currently works as a Deputy for the Frederick County Sheriffs Office.

The wedding is planned for October 2021 at Linganore Winecellars.

Real Weddings

June Caboose Farm Wedding :: Real Frederick Wedding :: Anna + Paul

Anna and Paul met in 2013 but began dating in 2015. “We were both working at Barrington Stage Company in the Berkshires in Massachusetts – Paul was a stage manager and I was the wardrobe supervisor. We would hang out a lot, but it wasn’t until the summer of 2015 that we realized we were supposed to be together.”

In June 2019, Paul took Anna horseback riding in upstate New York. ”When we got to a scenic part of our trail ride, he asked me if I wanted to get down and take a photo. I said, ‘Nah, I want to stay on the horse.’ So he ended up getting off his horse and walking over to me — still sitting on my horse– to propose.”

EIghty-two guests, including a four-person wedding party, helped the couple celebrate their June 2021 wedding. “We were married in The Glade at Caboose Farm which is a breathtaking clearing in the woods. Paul and I wrote the ceremony ourselves. My best friend was our officiant, which was incredibly special. We also had a handfasting ceremony where we literally ‘tied the knot.’

Anna and Paul’s decor choices were inspired by their love of the many colors in nature in late June in Maryland. “I joked with people that my wedding colors were ‘yes’ because I truly wanted all colors represented in our bouquets, boutonnieres, and our tablescapes. We discussed the importance to us in keeping both our food and our flowers local.”

Anna is an on-set costumer for television and movies in New York and Paul is transitioning from audio and visual sales for events in New York to dog training here in Frederick. The couple has an apartment in Brooklyn, NY, and a home in Frederick.

First dance: Always, Patsy Cline

Honeymoon: Chesapeake Bay

Vendors

Venue: Caboose Farm**

Catering: Monica Kelso Catering

Photography: Brad Barnwell Photography

Dress: Schone Bride

Flowers: Wildflower Weddings at Bend in the River Farms

Hair: Amber Vetsch from Dahlia Noir

Entertainment: DJ Ahmad Ibrahim at IDProDJ

Candles: Mithras Candles

Liquor: Village Spirits in Smithsburg

Groomsmen belts: Fiddler Leather

Bride’s ring: Catbird NYC

**FrederickWeddings.com member

Anniversary

Bower Anniversary

Boyd and Myra Bower of Braddock Heights celebrate 70 years of matrimonial paradise on Sept 9, 2021. A relationship that endures seven decades deserves high praise. They’ve encountered all the worlds problems and their love survived. They enjoyed all the worlds benefits and their love thrived. Never distracted, always believing in one another but most importantly, trusting God in all circumstances. Obviously, the formula works. Wishing continued blessings to them both as the heap blessings onto others!

Announcements

Botker-Crowe Wedding

Stuart and Erin met in middle school science class. They started dating in 2011, the summer after they graduated high school together.

“Our wedding was postponed three times due to COVID, but third times the charm because we tied the knot in June 2021 on our third wedding date! We have been together for 10 years and have waited for our wedding day since our engagement in 2015. Stuart served in the United States Navy and was deployed often, which led to the delayed wedding. Postponing our original 2020 date to 2021 was difficult, but was worth the wait if it meant family and friends could be there to witness our marriage and commitment to one another. We are so thankful for all the family and friends who drove or flew from all over the country to be there on our special day. We also want to send a special shoutout to Mary Springer, the bride’s grandmother, who made the most amazing coconut cake ever!”

Erin is a Coordinator and UMBC-Shady Grove and Stuart is a DevOps Engineer. They reside in Middletown.

Real Weddings

May Stone Manor Wedding :: Real Frederick Wedding :: Jordan + Michael

Jordan and Michael met in 2017 when they both joined the same small group at their church. “We both noticed each other right away at the first meeting, but we did not start talking until later when I friend requested Michael on Facebook and he asked me on our first official date.”

The couple got engaged in early 2020. “We planned to visit Downtown Frederick for the Fire & Ice Festival. Right when we arrived, we began walking down the creek. Little did I know that our friends and family were hidden waiting for him to pop the question.”

140 guests, including a fourteen-person wedding party, celebrated with the couple in May. “Luckily we got engaged and booked our venue before COVID happened and we were blessed to be able to get married on our or original wedding date. It was almost like a miracle that capacity limits were lifted just before it was time to send out invitations.”

Michael’s cousin, a pastor at a church in Pennsylvania, presided over the ceremony. “He delivered a beautiful sermon and it was extra special because he was able to tailor it to us personally. We also had two of our close friends, a husband and wife couple, play one of our favorite worship songs for the ceremony. We also decided to do a sand ceremony for our unity ceremony.”

The couple chose blush pink as their main wedding decor color. “I wanted to incorporate as many fun colors as possible to make it feel like a fun summer wedding. We really just wanted to make an event that everyone could have fun at since it was a lot of people’s first time attending a big wedding since COVID began.”

A late-night snack truck from Chevys food served up tacos, quesadillas, and mini churro bites for guests. “While guests lined up for a sparkler exit, we stayed back for the last dance, just the two of us. It was a perfect moment to soak in the last of our wedding together before we left.”

Michael is a Software Engineer & Jordan is a New Graduate Nurse. They currently reside in Glen Burnie, Maryland.

First dance: Grave by Thomas Rhett

Honeymoon: Florida and Tennessee

Vendors

Venue: Stone Manor Country Club**

Catering: Carriage House Catering**

Photography: Erin Brennan

Coordination: WedWithSteph

Brides dress – Posh Bridal

Dessert: Eva Eastep

Flowers: Love & Grit Farm

Hair & Makeup: Madison Melott

Entertainment: DJ Shiny Entertainment

Videographer: As the Deer Media

Transportation: Bob’s Limo Service

Planning + Design

Sleeping Bee Designs

WEBSITE: https://www.sleepingbeedesigns.com

EMAIL: sleepingbeedesigns@gmail.com

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/sleepingbeedesigns

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sleepingbeedesigns/?hl=en

YEARS IN BUSINESS: 3

Sleeping Bee Designs is a Frederick-based, woman-owned company that specializes in month-of coordination and partial planning. A very vendor-centric, communication-focused company, Sleeping Bee Designs focuses on working with clients and vendors closely in order to build the trust needed to lead the team on their clients’ big day. Sleeping Bee Designs works hard to provide resources to couples and guides the final processes leading up to their amazing day. Timeline creation, layout planning, vendor communication, and various meetings are all standard for every client. Sleeping Bee Designs frequently works at Glen Ellen, Attaboy Barrel House, Union Mills Public House, and many other Frederick venues. We love Frederick and couldn’t imagine being based anywhere else.

Anniversary Announcements

Drenning 50th Anniversary

Dahl and Peggy Drenning of Woodsboro celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on July 3. They were married at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster. Dahl is a graduate of Walkersville High School and the University of Maryland. Peggy is a graduate of Damascus High School and Western Maryland College. Dahl is a retired educator and pastor and Peggy is also a retired educator. They have a daughter Alexandra Mantz, and son -in -law Tyler of Alva, OK, and two grandchildren, Merritt and Larson.

Announcements Engagement

Wasserbach-Schwichtenberg Engagement

Mary-Charlotte Wasserbach of Frederick and Matthew Schwichtenberg of Glen Burnnie met at the University of Maryland during Mary-Charlotte’s senior year, painting potholders at an event. They shared breakfast for dinner as their first date and quickly realized they liked similar things, such as tater tots. Wedding plans are indefinite but are likely to include potatoes.

Real Weddings

June Green Hill Farm Wedding :: Real Frederick Wedding :: Britney and Jeff

Jeffery and Britney met six years ago on Valentine’s Day. “He came to my work and my windshield was iced over and literally ‘broke the ice.’ It’s been us against Maryland snowstorms ever since.”

The couple decided to get married during quarantine. “It was going to happen prior, but things kept getting in the way and he decided to get down on one knee in our kitchen during our second month of quarantine. It was perfect.”

115 guests, including a six-person wedding party, helped the couple celebrate their June 2021 nuptials. Britney carried her mother’s dress, made into a small clutch. “We wrote our own vows and never even said I do. We just professed our love and it was perfection.”

The atmosphere at the wedding was low-key and relaxed. “Everything was very relaxed and it fits who we are. We are Fredericktonians through and through. We love it here and wanted to stay true to our roots.

Britney is a special educator in Frederick and Jeffery is a master electrician. They currently reside in Thurmont.

First dance: Honey by Nathanial Rateliff

Honeymoon: Rehoboth Beach

Vendors

Venue: Green Hill Farm

Photography: Sarah Burns Photography**

Catering: Bentwood Smokers

Dessert: Stone House Cakery

Hair & Makeup: Erin Davis

Entertainment: Edwin Mora

Dress: BHDLN

**FrederickWeddings.com member

Real Weddings

May Frederick Micro Wedding :: Real Frederick Wedding :: Becky and Nathan

Becky and Nathan met in a high-school volleyball class in 2012. “We actually went up to spike the same ball and crashed into each other. The school year ended, but we found out that I was a lifeguard at the same swimming pool where Nathan was a swim team coach. We would always talk after his swim team practice was done and at the end of the summer, he asked me to be his girlfriend. Once we both graduated from the University of Maryland, we began our long-distance relationship- he started his career in the Army, and I was in physical therapy school in Baltimore.”

The couple got engaged in November of 2018 in Destin, Florida, where Nathan was stationed for training. “I was visiting for Thanksgiving break, and we went out to a nice date at a restaurant on the water. After dinner, he asked that we go outside to take a picture. We went out to the patio overlooking a marina, where he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.”

Nathan and Becky had planned a religious ceremony and celebration for May of 2020, a year after their courthouse wedding, but postponed another year due to covid. “Finally having our celebration with our family, although smaller scale than originally planned, was wonderful.”

Fifteen guests, including a seven-person wedding party, helped the couple celebrate their May 2021 nuptials at Dulaney’s Overlook. “Our ceremony was officiated by Rabbi Elissa Sachs-Kohen, and my mom, Hazzan Sara Geller. It was special to us to have my mom officiate and grace our ceremony with her incredible voice.”

The couple chose a color palette of mauve, navy blue, gold, cream, and green. “The feel we were going for was romantic, simple elegance. It had a laid-back and intimate feeling. Our favorite part of the wedding day was having such a small event, we were able to really spend time with our close family and friends there and enjoy the day with them. Instead of a wedding cake, we opted for mini pastries, because who doesn’t like having options?”

Becky is a physical therapist and Nathan is an explosive ordnance disposal officer in the Army. They currently reside in Fort Lee, Virginia.

Vendors

Venue: Dulaney’s Overlook

Photography: NikoBella Photography **

Catering: Moti’s Market

Dress: Posh Bridal

Jewelry: McCaskill & Company

Flowers: Scentsational Florals

Videographer: Compass Studios LLC

**FrederickWeddings.com member

Real Weddings

Outdoor May Elopement :: Real Frederick Wedding :: Lauren + Tim

Lauren and Tim met in 2019 at work and were friends for two years before dating. “When Tim was ready to move to a new home, he landed in Frederick and I quickly went from friend to neighbor, then tour guide. Tim and I loved exploring and seeing shows, and I had mentioned I would love to see the ballet coming up at the Weinberg. Tim grabbed tickets right away. The evening of the show, we decided that it was our official first date.”

The couple got engaged while walking along Carrol Creek after dinner. “Tim told me he’d eaten too much and needed a walk and mentioned he’d like to take a photo of us at sunset. Tim packed up his tripod and we headed out stopping at my favorite bridge along the creek. Tim set up the tripod and had me do a test shot, posing for the perfect shot, and when he walked over to join him, he hit the record button and got down on one knee, asking me to marry him.”

With Covid-19 still affecting travel and health, the couple chose to elope and throw a party next spring for family. “Our planning happened very quickly and was a bit of a whirlwind. Our favorite part was keeping it simple, finding a great venue that gave us everything we wanted so we could focus on making it an enjoyable experience for both of us.”

Lauren and Tim eloped at The Wedding Niche in Knoxville, Maryland, the only witnesses being their officiant and photographer. “We met on the front porch and walked down the aisle together. It felt very personal and romantic and added to the day being just ours. Our officiant wrote a beautiful personalized ceremony, just for the two of us, it even mentioned our dogs and cats.”

After the ceremony, the couple danced back down the aisle to a champagne toast on the porch. “I had a clock pin on my bouquet that my grandmother had worn as a necklace every day. My family owned a clock store growing up and it was a wonderful way to bring that part of my life into our day and to have my grandmother with me.

Lauren is an art director in Rockville and Tim is a program manager in DC. They currently reside in Frederick.

First dance- Prince, I Would Die For You

Vendors

Venue: The Wedding Niche

Photography: Brad Barnwell

Jewelry: Colonial Jewelers**

Flowers: Big Lush

Hair & Makeup: Lisa Hall

Officiant: Lisa Hall

**FrederickWeddings.com member

Real Weddings

May Holly Hills Wedding :: Real Frederick Wedding :: Jillian + Alexander

Jillian and Alexander became friends in 2015, and began dating in 2018. “Alex and I had been friends in college for three years. We both attended the same Catholic church and would frequently hang out in the same friend group and one day before mass, Alex asked me out on a date. He remembered from a few years ago that I said I’d like to go on a first date to Eat ‘N’ Park, a local diner chain – and he remembered.”

Alex and Jillian got engaged before the COVID shutdowns began in late February 2020. “Since we are both Catholic, it was common to stop in a church and pray a rosary whenever we were traveling. On the way to meet friends for dinner, we stopped in a Catholic church to pray a rosary. This time, however, I left with a ring on my finger.”

70 guests, including a 12 person wedding party helped the couple celebrate their May nuptials. “We initially invited 200 people, and cutting the list to 70 was incredibly difficult. Our priest from college came to say mass for us and Alex’s former music teacher played piano for us. It was a traditional Catholic mass and was focused on the sacrament of Holy Matrimony.”

“I wore my mom’s wedding dress and absolutely loved it. We kept to blues for our wedding decor. There were also touches of dusty pink for a springy feel. Since we were married in a Catholic church, we wanted a formal feel that was also fun for the reception.”

Instead of a cake, the couple chose a more untraditional wedding treat. “During the reception, we had four giant tubs of ice cream from South Mountain Creamery. It was the tastiest part of our day. Unlimited ice cream on my wedding day – what a dream.”

Alexander is the district operations industrial engineer for USPS, and Jillian has been working remotely as a contractor. They currently reside in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

First dance: You Remind Me of West Virginia by Wyatt Turner

Ceremony: St. Ignatius of Loyola

Reception: Holly Hills Country Club**

Photography: TODDG Photography

Jewelry: Waldin Jewelers

Dessert: South Mountain Creamery

Hair: Hair Impressions

Makeup: Lauren Clark

**FrederickWeddings.com member

Real Weddings

April Downtown Frederick Wedding :: Real Frederick Wedding :: Karen + Stephen

Karen and Stephen met in 2017 through friends while Karen was attending Hood College. “We went to the movies with our friends and we realized we wanted to keep seeing each other without them. Stephen lived in Pennsylvania and I lived in Frederick but we always made sure to make the drive to see each other.”

The couple got engaged on Christmas Eve in 2019. “We were at my home preparing for Christmas and he asked me to go on a walk at Culler Lake. We were walking around and no one was around. He got on one knee and proposed. I said yes immediately, but I had to remind him that he needed to give me the ring.”

Twenty-five guests, including an eight-person wedding party, helped the couple celebrate their April 2021 nuptials at St. John’s Catholic Church. “The church is beautiful. The ceremony was simple and quick. Stephen and I cried a couple of times- we were just so excited. Our favorite part was when I walked down the aisle and we saw each other for the first time. We made sure not to see each other until the ceremony. We both were tearing up and it was just very special.”

After the ceremony and before the reception, Karen and Stephen took a long drive around downtown Frederick to enjoy their first moments as husband and wife. “It was just the two of us, and it was so special. It was just what we needed to enjoy our time before continuing with the celebration.”

The couple chose dusty rose, ivory, and sage green as their wedding decor colors. The reception was held at their home in Frederick. “Covid affected our wedding by limiting the number of people we could have with us. We would have loved to have more of our family there to celebrate with us.”

Karen is a computer developer in Germantown and Stephen is Range Officer at the Machine Gun Nest in Frederick. They currently reside in Frederick.

Ceremony: St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church

Catering: P.I.G.S.

Photography: Katie Harmis

Dessert: Mercedes Pastries

Makeup: Jordan Simpson

Bachelor + Bachelorette Honeymoon + Travel

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PHONE: (717) 633-7722

EMAIL: questions@just-vacations.com

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YEARS IN BUSINESS: 25

Whether you want adventure or relaxation, romance or inspiration, we help you narrow down the multitude of options in the world of travel to create your best awe-inspiring itinerary for a fun, extraordinary, and stress-free honeymoon. We make trip planning easy. Our clients receive a vacation plan that is specifically designed for them. We turn your ideas into reality so you can connect with your partner on a meaningful level. Your journey is only beginning. Be sure to visit our website at www.just-vacations.com and schedule an appointment with our travel advisor, Barb Peet.

Music + Entertainment Photo Booths + Videographers

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YEARS IN BUSINESS: 20

Double-E Entertainment is not your average event and entertainment company. “We Party For A Living” with a unique blend of event entertainment services, awesome talent, and event production professionals who are gifted in the art of creating fun. We offer Professional DJ/MCs, Photo Booths, Event & FX Lighting, Pro-Audio Services, Videography, Photography, Livestreaming Services, Dancefloors & Staging, A/V Services, Audio Recording & Music Production, and more.

Our Combo Packages are an unbeatable value!

Photo Booths + Videographers Photographers

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YEARS IN BUSINESS: 15

Brodie Ledford Studios is the area’s Premier Professional Studio offering Photography, Videography, Photobooth, and Live-streaming services. As the preferred vendor at many of the most popular venues, we are able to provide the level of service that you want and deserve for your Wedding Day! With a focus on keeping your day Fun, Easy, and Professional, Brodie Ledford Studios is guaranteed to be the absolute best choice you can make for your wedding day! Why worry about dealing with multiple wedding vendors when you can make it easy? Work with one professional company that has a phenomenal reputation and the quality of service expected from our award-winning and highly respected team! Visit us now to discuss your wedding and secure your date!

Real Weddings

Outdoor October Wedding :: Real Frederick Wedding :: Alexa + Matt

Matt and Alexa met in 2014 while both working at a bar. “He was the manager, I was a hostess and we were both in different relationships at that time. We quickly became good friends through work, but eventually went our separate ways. About a year later, Matt reached out to me for some help with marketing on his real estate business and I was so excited for the opportunity. We picked up right where we had left off and realized there was clearly more than just friendship between us.”

The couple got engaged at the end of 2019, when Alexa had just returned from a friend’s bridal shower. “While I was gone Matt went over to my dad’s house to ask for his blessing. Matt’s original plan was to propose the following day in Annapolis, but when I got home he just couldn’t help himself. He proposed to me in the middle of our kitchen. He got down on one knee and just said, ‘BOOM! Will you marry me?’ He then followed that with the beautiful speech he had planned, but our families joke that he was so nervous that he went completely blank and all he could think to say was a sound effect.”

Eighty guests, including a six-person wedding party, were in attendance for their October 2020 nuptials. “We held our ceremony overlooking the beautiful rolling hills at Linganore Winecellars. Along with greenery, roses, and blue thistle, my wedding bouquet also had sunflowers in memory of my mom. While we had our ceremony at Linganore Winecellars, we held our reception at a local farm.”

First dance: Can’t Help Falling In Love – Kina Grannis version

Honeymoon: Florida

Vendors

Ceremony: Linganore Winecellars**

Reception: Idlewild Farm

Catering: Fine Cuisine

Photography: Valerie Michelle Photography**

Dessert: Starry Night Bakery

Flowers: Blossom & Basket Boutique**

Rentals: Allied Party Rentals

Hair & Makeup: Glam Bridal Beauty

Entertainment: Everything Entertainment