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
