Anna & Kyle

Occupations Anna is a marine scientist at National Science Foundation; Kyle is the owner of Edward’s Lawn and Home Landscape Company.

Wedding date May 25, 2013

Number of Attendees 120

Number of Attendants 6 bridesmaids, 6 groomsmen

How You Met Anna and Kyle met in high school at Anna’s high school junior prom. Kyle attended a different high school and was Anna’s best friend’s prom date for the girls’ prom (the BFF & Kyle went to the prom as friends!) Anna and her friend switched dance partners at some point during the evening, and Kyle and Anna danced together. They started dating a couple weeks later, and have been together ever since (11 years!)

The Engagement Anna and Kyle had been dating about nine years when he popped the question. The proposal happened in April 2012 at the Philip Carter Winery in Virginia. The couple spent the afternoon touring the vineyard and sampling wine. At one point, they went for a walk up a hill where Kyle had gotten a picnic catered for them. He got down on one knee and asked Anna to marry him right then and there.

Wedding Design Inspiration Overall, the style of the day was a rustic, southern, romantic wedding. Anna chose to stick with all neutrals and pinks for the palette as that particular aesthetic always appealed to her most when looking through wedding magazines. It mixed elements of the farm backdrop (burlap, Anna’s cowboy boots, lanterns), Charleston, the city that Anna lived in during graduate school (channeled through the food and drink), and the romantic elements (lace dress, floral neckties for the groom/groomsmen).

What was unique and special about your wedding Most of the details were DIY. Because the wedding was in Anna’s parents’ backyard, the couple tried to incorporate many personal details into the day. Anna’s mother painted the watercolors on the invitations, Anna’s brother is an oyster farmer and his oysters were served during the cocktail hour, the ceremony took place in front of a willow tree planted by Anna’s father when she was younger, Anna and Kyle served beer that they had made themselves, and the favors were jars of honey from Anna’s parents’ honeybees.

Favorite Details The personal details of the wedding were Anna’s favorite. She also loved their tree-planting ceremony that was part of the ceremony. Anna and Kyle ‘planted’ a crepe myrtle tree by adding soil and water. The two officially planted it in their backyard at their home after the wedding, and it was dug up when they moved this past summer!

Most unexpected event on the day of the wedding Anna and Kyle luckily had no major disasters, but certainly have some funny stories from the day that they’ll remember forever. For instance, their dogs attended the ceremony. Right before Anna and Kyle said their vows, one of their dogs made a very loud gagging sound, providing some comic relief to the ceremony. And as they began to walk down the aisle together following the ceremony, the other dog ran up and tried to walk out with them. The dog can be spotted photobombing some of the pictures of Anna and Kyle walking down the aisle.

Piece of advice If you’re doing a DIY wedding, don’t be afraid to ask for help! In Anna’s case, her mother and mother-in-law were both so helpful in preparing for the wedding, but it was hard for her to let go of tasks. You’ll be much less stressed if you let go and spread the tasks around. And hiring a planner to help with wrapping the last details up will make a huge difference in the final stretch!

Honeymoon destination Turks and Caicos Bridesmaids’ attire Miscellaneous designers (Monique Lhuillier, Joanna August, After Six, Love Lane). All wore chiffon, floor-length dresses in neutral tones. Cake Graul’s Market in Ruxton Caterer Beej Flamholz; oysters from Sapidus Farms Flowers Local Color Flowers Groom and Groomsmen attire Perry Ellis suits from Macy’s Hair & Make-up Amie Decker Beauty Invitations DIY. The watercolors on the invitations were done by the mother-of-the-bride, and the invitations were designed by the bride. Location Private residence, Ellicott City, MD Music String quartet: St. Charles String Quartet; DJ: Jacob Jensen from Absolute Entertainment (now at Event Pro DJs) Officiant Joshua Bombino at Divine Transformation (now called Ceremony Officiants) Transportation ZBest Limousine Wedding Dress Jim Hjelm Photographer Kirsten Marie Photography Wedding Planner Lemon and Lime Event Design