Megan & Brian

Occupations Megan is a youth behavioral health counselor and Brian is a United States Marine Corps Airman.

Wedding date May 3, 2014

Number of Attendees 125

Number of Attendants 10

How You Met During a Thanksgiving trip home to visit her mother, Megan went out one night and met Brian “through mutual friends” . . .  AKA at a bar.

The Engagement Brian proposed to Megan on a battlefield in Gettysburg (both Megan and Brian are self-proclaimed “huge history nerds!”) saying, “Let’s be together till we’re dead.” Megan didn’t realize it was an actual proposal until Brian got down on one knee and was shaking!

Wedding Design Inspiration French country vintage

What was unique and special about your wedding Megan says, “A lot!” The boutonnieres were made from bald eagle figurines, a nod to Brian’s heartfelt patriotism (Brian’s ringtone is a bald eagle screech). Instead of the traditional father/daughter dance, Megan danced with her mom as they have a very special and unique relationship with one another. “She raised me – and did a pretty darn good job!” Megan’s St. Bernard, Gigi, was her maid of honor and lay down on her back looking for a belly rub the whole ceremony. Megan’s best friend, Lindsay Newcomb, was the matron of honor and even though she had bronchitis at the wedding she rallied and gave the best speech ever!

Favorite Details Megan and Brian’s grandparents’ wedding photos were placed on all of the cocktail tables; Megan and Brian’s vows that “probably no one understood but us,” Megan says; and finally the farmhouse tables, “I think like 15% of our total budget went to those tables, but I had to have them.”

Most Unexpected Event on the Day of the Wedding The weather – a hurricane had blown through the area the Wednesday before the wedding. D.C. was literally flooded, and half of Megan and Brian’s guests almost didn’t make it. The septic tank at the venue also flooded, so there were no bathrooms, and the beach where the couple was supposed to get married on was non-existent. The river literally came to the back door of the house. But then . . . “the morning of the wedding it was still wet, overcast, and gross. Then out of nowhere, it cleared up. All the guests made it, the bathrooms were (pretty much) working, and the beach appeared! It was meant to be!”

Piece of Advice Don’t stress over the small stuff. And this sounds cliché, but at the end of the day it’s seriously ALL small stuff. The important thing is that you just married your best friend. No one remembers or cares that the chicken was overcooked or your flowers were pink instead of blush. Oh, and don’t take Xanax. You want to actually experience your ceremony. Champagne is fine though.

Beauty Kaylee Hable and Erin Adamek, sister-in-laws of the bride Bridesmaids’ attire Mixed long chiffon dresses of light blues and greens (sea glass colors) bought online Cake Megan hates cake. So her brother’s girlfriend (now his fiancé) made cake balls, mini apple pies, fresh fruit tartlets, and mini cheesecakes. Megan wants her to go on Cupcake Wars, “she would totally win!” Caterer Mission BBQ. The restaurant gave the couple 10% off of their total bill and donated it to the Wounded Warrior Project. Megan says, “the staff was amazing and food delicious.” Flowers Bouquets provided by David’s Flowers; all other florals brought by the wedding planner, Heather Miller; and Lindsay, the matron of honor, helped decorate. Groom and Groomsmen’s attire Suspenders and bowties from Macy’s. Honeymoon Montana. The couple went fly fishing and white water rafting on the Yellowstone river, skeet shooting, horseback riding in the Rockies, hung out in the boiling river, and even ventured into Yellowstone National Park to see old faithful and a few sweet waterfalls (and Megan saw a moose, but Brian missed it). Invitations The couple made them. Save the date cards made by Wedding Paper Divas Location Cove Point Lighthouse  Music Crowe Entertainment Officiant Matt Hall, the bride’s Young Life Leader from high school and current pastor. Photographer Brittany Dunkleberger of Dunks Photo Transportation The couple rented a van and asked a co-worker to drive. Wedding Dress Allure Bridals Wedding Planner Heather Miller of Hitched by Heather