Krista & Mitchell

Occupations Krista is the director of special programs for mental health; Mitchell is a financial analyst

Wedding date October 12, 2024

Number of Guests 130

Number of Attendants 21

How You Met We went to high school together—I was the theater nerd, he was the varsity athlete—living in totally different worlds. Years later, fate (and a few mutual friends) brought us back together. I made the first move, I always admired Mitchell from afar, so I reached out . . . and the rest is history.

The Engagement It was my first time in Europe, and our very first stop was Paris—the city of lights, love, and, as it turns out, life-changing moments. Mitchell had been carrying a ring with him everywhere we went; one filled with deep meaning: it was the same ring his late father once gave to my now beautiful mother-in-law. I had no idea, of course—though I definitely spent the trip wondering Is he going to do it? On our last night before heading to London, we made one final visit to the Eiffel Tower. It was raining softly, we were both a little tired, and I wasn’t exactly dressed for a fairytale—no makeup, no carefully chosen outfit—but somehow, it made the moment even more perfect. That’s when Mitchell proposed. I’ll never forget him running down the streets of Paris afterward, shouting that we were getting married. It was magical, meaningful, and so very us.

Wedding Design Inspiration We knew we wanted a romantic medieval fantasy brought to life—a celebration that felt straight out of Middle-earth. With lush greenery, candles everywhere you turned, tavern coziness, and hints of elegance that still said “wedding.” Every detail was steeped in magic, myth, and timeless love.

What Was Unique and Special About Your Wedding Day Celebrating in a space surrounded by the people we love was truly something extraordinary—a once-in-a-lifetime experience we’ll never forget. We’re endlessly grateful to our friends and family who supported us throughout the journey and stood by our side on such a meaningful day. If we could relive it all over again, we would in a heartbeat.

Favorite Details The venue truly spoke for itself—a castle straight out of a storybook. Every room felt warm and enchanting, with cozy corners and storybook charm. One of the highlights was the spiral staircase wrapped in twinkling fairy lights, guarded by statuesque knights that caught everyone’s eye. Our incredibly talented photographer, Sarah, captured the day beautifully. She not only has an impeccable eye but also a calm, intuitive way of guiding you through each moment—she really listened and brought our vision to life. As a personal touch, a dear friend handcrafted wooden coasters as our wedding favors, and it’s been the sweetest thing seeing them in the homes of those we love.

Most Unexpected Event On Your Wedding Day Somewhere along the way, we thought there would be an arbor for our ceremony flower arch . . . but surprise there wasn’t. In true wedding-day magic (and mild chaos), my heroic brother-in-law, along with my two other new brothers, dashed home and grabbed the one from his own garden—talk about coming to the rescue! No one said a word until after the reception when I had a couple drinks in me and the hard part was over. Honestly, it just made the day even more unforgettable—and a little more us. It’s a fun story to look back and laugh about.

Piece of Advice Take a deep breath and soak it all in—truly. Things might not go exactly as planned (they rarely do), but it will still be perfect in all the ways that matter. Looking back, I wish I could’ve told myself to let go of the stress and just trust the moment. Don’t be afraid to ask for help—your friends and family want to be there for you, and it’s okay to lean on them. And please, don’t forget to eat and stay hydrated! The day goes by faster than you can imagine, and taking care of yourself makes it that much easier to be fully present for every beautiful moment.

BEAUTY Emma Duncan from Blend Salon (hair); True Love Makeup with Meaghan Faulk (makeup) BRIDESMAIDS Azazie CAKE Fenwick Bakery CATERER Hunt Valley Catering FAVORS Darryle Edwards FLORAL DESIGN Perzynski and Filar Florist GROOM AND GROOMSMEN Men’s Wearhouse HONEYMOON Back to Paris! INVITATIONS The Knot LOCATION Cloisters Castle MUSIC A Better DJ & Photographer OFFICIANT Our good friend Carlton PHOTOGRAPHER Sarah James Photography WEDDING OUTFITS For Love & Lemons dress (ceremony) and vintage slip dress from Depop (reception)