Occupations Darci is an attorney and an insurance investigator at the Maryland Insurance Administration; Ryan is a financial analyst at Bowhead Business and Technology Solutions.
Wedding date October 3, 2015
Number of Attendees 65
Number of Attendants Darci’s older sister Shannon Morgan and Ryan’s childhood best friend Dan Grufferman were Maid of Honor and Best Man, respectively.
How You Met Darci went to law school with Ryan’s roommate who introduced them at a party. They spent time together at several group outings before Ryan mustered up the courage to ask her out on an official date.
The Engagement During their relationship, they often visited Federal Hill Park on weekend mornings and after dinner strolls. They always sat on the same bench and enjoyed each other’s company and the view of the city. For the engagement, Ryan planned a picnic at one of the American Visionary Art Museum’s outdoor Flicks on the Hill, held in the park. He asked Darci to marry him while enjoying a picnic in their favorite spot overlooking the Baltimore Harbor. There were fireflies everywhere, which made the moment even more magical!
Wedding Design Inspiration They love the industrial, rehabbed city vibe, so Corradetti Glass Blowing Studio was perfect! They wanted something small, intimate, and unique. It also helped that the venue was already decorated with beautiful glass pieces, so they didn’t have to do much for venue decorations.
What was unique and special about your wedding The location was the most unique. All of the glass pieces added a colorful, whimsical touch. Additionally, they spent a lot of time writing the ceremony in order to make it personal and specific to their relationship and the marriage they look forward to sharing. The ceremony was officiated by Darci’s best friend from high school, Susan, who exuded so much joy she basically bounced up and down when pronouncing them Mr. and Mrs.
For Darci’s walk down the aisle, her Uncle Dan (acoustic guitar and vocals), cousin Brooke (vocals), and close friend Brittany (flute) performed “The Prayer” (originally by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli), which was also performed at her sister’s wedding. The combination of the music and seeing Ryan at the end of the aisle brought Darci to tears. At the reception, Darci’s uncle, who is a pastor, gave a personal and touching blessing before the dinner.
The day after the wedding was the last home game for the Orioles season, played against the Yankees. They organized for the wedding guests to attend the game and see Camden Yards, something new to Darci’s out of town family. Although the weather kept a number of guests from attending, a group of tough friends and family still made it out to enjoy the game. It was a nice way to continue the wedding celebration and spend time with friends and family who had traveled from Buffalo to attend.
Favorite Details They loved the hurricane glass used to decorate the stage for the ceremony, purchased from Anthropologie. They plan to use them to decorate their deck and garden at their new home! Also, they loved having a band, Soundtown Baltimore. They played “Shout” by the Isley Brothers, which is the fight song for the Buffalo Bills. Since Darci’s family is from Buffalo, everyone got really into it, and it was one of the highlights of the wedding.
Most unexpected event on the day of the wedding Their friend’s wife gave birth to their first child the morning of our wedding. If that isn’t excitement enough, he was also the lead singer of Soundtown Baltimore, their wedding band. Even though they had a backup plan, he insisted on coming and performing. He did an amazing job and it was something they will never forget.
Additionally, a hurricane blew in the weekend of their wedding. They had to change the location of the ceremony, and their officiant almost didn’t make it because her flight kept being delayed. They had three gracious backup officiants standing in the wings just in case, but Susan made it just in time for the rehearsal dinner.
Piece of advice If you’re planning an outdoor ceremony, always have an indoor backup plan that you love. They were supposed to have their ceremony outside on Woodberry Kitchen’s patio and their cocktail hour around their firepit. However, the weekend of their wedding, a hurricane hit Baltimore and it was rainy and in the 50’s outside. They already had a rain plan of moving the ceremony into Corradetti (where the reception was going to be held). It was beautiful and cozy and turned out perfect.
DARCI & RYAN
DARCI & RYAN
Beauty Nicole Palermo of Happily Ever After (makeup); Dana Smith of The Brushing Bride (hair) Caterer The Pantry Catering and hors d’oeuvres from Woodberry Kitchen. Flowers Stylish Occasions by Amanda Groom Christopher Schafer Clothier groom’s suit and shirt. Honeymoon Charleston, SC Location Corradetti Glassblowing Studio & Gallery Music Soundtown Baltimore Officiant Susan Kornacki (friend of the couple) Photographer Anna Reynal Wedding Dress Livia by Badgley Mishka at BHLDN