Our Wedding

Mark and I were born 2 days apart in Pennsylvania, over 30 years ago, both weighing 7 pounds 8 ounces. We met our first week in New York before freshman classes started, at 18. Though friends first, we asked ourselves what would've happened in our 20's. A lunch, years of long distance, then buying a house in Baltimore followed. 13 years after meeting, we finally got married. We honeymooned in Japan, Taiwan, and New Zealand. Our first child is due in July 2020. 



Friday was Rehearsal, Dinner, Saturday was the Wedding, and Sunday was the Goodbye Brunch; but this wedding was much longer in the making. Here are some of the memories- in the end it was a great time, fun and fulfilling like everything we do (that’s a quote from my vows). My hope is that by sharing our planning process, we can help add to the community of couples documenting their journeys. I want to remember every detail with my children one day. As owner of the codex club, who’s mission is promoting Baltimore makers along with my own original products, it was very important to me to support local artists as much as I could, and I hope some of these ideas are helpful.



Pre-Wedding Festivities (Bachelorette, Bridal Shower, Bachelor Weekends)

It was Labor Day Weekend, exactly a year before our ceremony and reception. I didn’t want to wait to celebrate and I will say that breaking up back to back flights (if the ladies had flown in and then again a few months later for the wedding) was nice. It was like a reunion when we all got together again. My best friends threw me the most unforgettable bachelorette party at Katy’s place in New York first night in New York. Dinner and debauchery followed. The woman I used to tell all my dating stories to, who urged me to look at my best friend (Mark) romantically, threw me my bridal shower. There was an incredible spread of food and drinks at her home in Times Square NY, and fun games. We tried on dresses, ate out a lot, and stayed in the nicest airbnb ever. Visited friends, went to a Korean spa and Veselka together. I’ll never forget that weekend and am so grateful for the people who made it happen. Mark and his friends got a house in Atlantic City closer to the wedding and made a weekend of it. From what I heard, they had a great time.

 





Invitations

Having ten years of design experience, and knowing how much fun Mark and I have had over the years doing projects like this, there was always going to be a lot of DIY and handmade ephemera for the wedding. Our first project was metal reminders. Mark wanted to make metal wallet-sized cards with all the important info and a QR code to our website. We laser-cut them at Open Works on anodized aluminum, and I love how they came out. It took hours, and was definitely a work of love. Local artist Tiny Dog Press (Kari Miller) gave us a few options of her Washington Monument illustration which I also incorporated in the design. So many people throw away old letters and stationery. We’ve never done that- there are huge scrapbooks in our library filled with old Christmas cards, movie receipts, and the like. My business is about cherishing things you make. This card idea came out of the wish that people would keep this in their pocket rather than throw away our wedding ephemera. When people picked up their table place cards, they found their rsvp envelopes had been saved with gold leaf on the front with their information and card inside. Just a little touch to let people know how much everything we've shared means to me. I also designed a step and repeat (backdrop) for people to stand in front of and take pics like they were on a red carpet in the same branding. The only non-paper thing we opted for was electronic save the dates from a joint email  address (requesting mailing addresses as confirmation of receipt) as a jpg attachment. We still printed a few as magnets for immediate family, but that we thought would be fine to send by email and allowed us to confirm people's address for formal invitations later. In this day and age, most people know how to access your wedding website, and we used theknot.com which allows people to respond whether they’re attending online.















   



Hotel Indigo

We got a block two streets down so people could walk around, ‘A few advantages include the comfort (and IHG reward points) of a larger hotel company, but is customized to reflect all that Baltimore has to offer. Each room has murals of Edgar Allen Poe, and lots of books (an ode to the 'city that reads'). It's walking distance to the Walters Museum, Mount Vernon Marketplace, and the Washington Monument.’ There was valet or self parking in the nearby garage or on the street- we also gave people uber and scooter codes.



Venue

As soon as we walked into the Engineers Club, everything came together in our minds quickly. Mark, as well as his mom and my dad, are engineers. We respect the history of the building and the neighborhood a lot- and it’s just beautiful.

WEDDING WEEKEND SCHEDULE

#MarkandAndreaForever 

Friday

We dropped off bags for hotel guests. My family came to the house and caught up a little bit.

Brought decor and buckets with greenery from our garden + flowers at Richfield Farms to the venue

5pm was the Rehearsal. Everyone did so well! Was a little worried because my parents weren’t feeling well. We got busy making bouquets and centerpieces after that would end up wilting a little by the next day.



Rehearsal Dinner (7:30pm Blue Pit BBQ & Whiskey Bar in Hampden)

Made these favors from drying zinnia’s since march after getting seeds from Mark’s mom.

We did a Chinese Tea Ceremony before dinner, reading,

"We have chosen to adapt elements of the traditional Chinese tea ceremony to recognize our family today. The tea ceremony is a Chinese wedding ritual that dates back to the 7th century. The serving of tea is an expression of gratitude from children to parents, aunts, and uncles for the love and support, as well as a gesture of respect and appreciation to our new in-laws. It also is a celebration of the gaining of a son or daughter into each family, and an opportunity for the parents, aunts, and uncles to welcome them. Sweet tea is used because it symbolizes happiness in newlywed marriage and fosters good relations between in-laws. After the presenting of tea they will bow then sip. The maid of honor will refill if necessary."

The groom should be on the right, bride on left side. Guests should sit females across from groom, males across from bride. There were beautiful photos by Jan Galvan as well as a Pixelated photo booth.







 



Saturday

9-11am was the bridal breakfast at Sugarvale nearby. One of my favorite wedding photos was this one from the morning of the wedding. Jenny brought this snap of us and Katy in high school, 15 years ago to take with our present-day selves.







The Dress

Mark and I were walking around Savage Mill, Maryland and found a non-profit Bridal resale shop called Cherie Amour Bridal. There was a sample Marchesa 2016 gown that had been donated by the designers because they heard about the mission of this place. It had never been worn by a bride outside of fittings, and I fell in love with it, though it needed a lot of repairs and alterations. And with this being one of the more expensive items in a wedding, I admired that while also more affordable this way, the money would be going to this nonprofit organization, to support what they do for women in Maryland through 'Success in Style'.

Bridal Party

The ladies used Rent the Runway for champagne gold Badgley Mishka gowns in different necklines. I kept calling them my trophy wives! They looked so beautiful! They got gold infinity bracelets with their first name initial on them, bangle bracelets, and gold stackable rings. We made our bouquets together with local wildflowers from Richfield Farms. Hair was done by Stylebee, and I did their makeup.


Groomsmen got solar-powered charging stations and wore rose and baby-breath boutineers from the nearby ‘Flowers by Chris’. Mark and I had tried all the try-on kits; Generation Tux, Black Tux, Menguin (from the Target site), and Hitched. In the end we went with Generation Tux- blue suit, grey vest, black tie. Groomsmen used the same service, in matching blue suits, with gold ties that matched the bridesmaids dresses.

 

Accessories

In addition to the engagement and wedding rings, I wore some matching Marchesa earrings and a handmade necklace. I'd found the earrings online (normally $58) for $15 on eBay. I used a $10 promo code and got $7.50 back because there was a small defect that I actually ended up loving because it was subtle and made it unique. The necklace was made from some blue earrings Mark gave me, that I lost one of years ago, mounted onto one of his silver chains. I also wore perfume by Diptyque scent ‘Olene’ that Mark gave me for our 27th birthday. Diptyque means two parts that together make a whole. I’ve only worn it on very special occasions over the years, and love how the jasmine and green tea infused scent, not overly feminine or masculine, fresh and clean, has matured over time.



 

Ceremony (5:30pm, Engineers Club)

Accompanying us and our parents were: Kathryn Felt and Alex Diegel, Emily Chen and Michael McKinnon, Ann Xu and Thomas Yenca, Jenny Lai and Michael Souders, and Shannon Crabill and Michael McClarin

Reception Dinner 7pm

Dancing 8pm. *Open Bar 6-10pm

A portion of all registry gifts was given in donations to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in honor of James McKinnon.

Reception Entrance Song- 'Sugar' by Maroon 5

Couples First Dance Song- ‘Beyond’ by Leon Bridges

Father/Daughter Dance Song- ‘I Hope You Dance’ by Leann Rimes

Mother/Son Dance Song- ‘What a Wonderful World’ by Louis Armstrong



Sunday

Brunch at Port Covington Park.

The views, the weather, it was all perfect. Brought some food from Bob Evans that went super fast. Spent the rest of the day cleaning up and hanging with friends and family



Venue/ Catering - Cyndi Roberts (The Engineers Club)

Officiant - Alex Diegel

Photography - Jan Galvan

Videographer - Brian Reynolds

DJ - Breaking the Norm (Hank)

Florist - Richfield Farms

Cake - Charm City Cakes

Bridal Party - Rent the Runway, Generation Tux

Stationery - Rita Hastings, Kari Miller (Tiny Dog Press)

Musicians - Katy Felt, Bert Price

Dress - Marchesa, Jeanette (Cherie Amour Bridal)

Hairstylist - Stylebee (@Flyosophyluxe on instagram)

Hotel - Hotel Indigo Baltimore

Brunch - Sugarvale/ Dooby's/ Bob Evans



  

When it Rains

Isn't it 'April Showers bring May Flowers'?

Baltimore's been getting an insane amount of rain the last few weeks. There was hail once or twice too. As you can imagine- it adds to a lot more driving time. At least it's not cookie dough.



Here are three simple ideas I use to try and stay motivated on days like this.



1. Start Energized. The majority of people wake up and go about their days dehydrated. Thanks to a book I like by Aubrey Marcus, Own the Day, Own Your Life: Optimized Practices for Waking, Working, Learning, Eating, Training, Playing, Sleeping, and Sex - I fix a glass of water with a quarter lemon and pinch of sea salt. It's energizing and motivates me to start the day hydrated and with a clear mind. I also like coffee lol. My strong and steady, is Café Bustelo, with half a tsp of condensed milk and some ice cubes melting in.



2. Stretch Your Legs. This is another thing Aubrey talks about in his book. Being in the sunlight, moving around, and getting hydrated within 20 minutes of waking up. Often a change of scenery is what we need to get motivated and be productive. Get up and walk around your office or in the building, depending on your workplace setting. You'll end up getting more done with those little breaks, than if you sat there for hours staring at the screen.



3. Focus on Critical Tasks. One thing I struggle with is narrowing down what to do. It all seems important! I had to teach myself that you don't have to do everything all at once. When it rains I notice the garden being nourished, and it's a gentle reminder that you can't rush how fast plants will grow. Like vegetables and flowers, certain tasks need time to develop, and it'll save you more time long-term, to tackle it later. If it helps, set a google calendar reminder. In the end, ironically, this is more productive than repeating the task later, and fixing things down the road.

An Ode to IHOP

There's a place in my heart for the International House of Pancakes. Doesn't matter what location (for the most part). My favorite one is where I'm constantly trying to convince Mark to take us as a reward for a good morning workout after the gym.



The best brunch- when I close my eyes and imagine my go-to order at IHOP: steak tips and eggs (poached, cut them in half over your hash browns and drizzle a little hot sauce over that mmmhmm), the neverending coffee, and pancakes with sprinkles on the side, with whipped cream on top.



I put my favorite dream breakfast aside this week, when I heard that a new type of french toast debuted, using Kings Hawaiian Rolls. If you've ever put that fluffy goodness in your mouth- I understand you. So I tried the bacon, sausage combo with that new french toast with strawberries and bananas. This is an unapologetically focused description of just how much I value these ideas and breakfast executions- keep doing you IHOP.

Presidents Day Brunch and 'Seeds' Film Teaser

Spent Presidents Day with literally some of the nicest women I've met since moving to Baltimore. It's one of the most therapeutic things to just talk for a long time, with a good meal and cup of coffee. Here's to more Monday's off.  

The outside of Order & Chaos has 'a creative cup of coffee' written out on the wall, and I definitely feel revitalized and inspired after a day like this. Little Havana is an eclectic, cool space. Pool table and generous booths, and twinkle-lit outdoor area with a view of the water. There was a mural with different locations in Cuba mapped out, and the title, 'Land of Eternal Spring' along the top.

'Seeds' Film teaser came out today as well:

Do you have Behance? let's be friends: https://www.behance.net/andreachen

Sunday morning, Rain is falling.

let it go – the (by e. e. cummings)



smashed word broken

open vow or

the oath cracked length

wise – let it go it

was sworn to

go



let them go – the

truthful liars and

the false fair friends

and the boths and

neithers – you must let them go they

were born

to go



let all go – the

big small middling

tall bigger really

the biggest and all

things – let all go

dear



so comes love

The Best Thing to Order at 'Five Guys'

Needed comfort food this weekend- so we checked out our local 'Five Guys'.

I've always been really confused about what to get because of all the add-ons and unlimited toppings. It's the same when I get salads or frozen yogurt- I make weird decisions and odd combinations that don't always make sense.

So this time, I looked on my phone in line getting to the register, and found this article by Huffington Post: 'The Five Guys: Secret Menu'. And I got inspired!

To be able to recreate a burger at In-N-Out, here in Baltimore floored me- so I ordered the first idea on the list-



Cheeseburger w/ extra cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, grilled onions.

It was so amazing. That and the fries, with a milkshake (peanut butter, chocolate and vanilla) made my day.