Meaghan & McKay

Wedding date June 8, 2024

Number of Guests 260

Number of Attendants 11 groomsman and 11 bridesmaids

How You Met We met in high school. McKay went to St. Paul’s and Meaghan went to Garrison Forest—funny enough we have many prom photos together but with different dates. Years later, we ran into each other when we were both living in Washington DC. Then, a few weeks later McKay sent me a snapchat on his birthday about UVA basketball (Meaghan went to college there) and I responded to say happy birthday. To my surprise he asked me to grab a drink with him. Weeks later we finally got together, and I remember thinking it was so funny after all these years that I was going on a date with McKay Sutley (someone I had known for such a long time and had always been a friend). We immediately hit it off.  I was pretty nervous but then for whatever reason he showed me a picture of how big his head was when he was a baby and then somehow that put me at ease. That is probably McKay’s specialty—doing something funny or to make people laugh. Our first date was easily the most fun date I have ever been on, and I did not want it to end. The sad part was that he was moving to Denver not long after we re-met but we decided to officially date and take a stab at long distance. Luckily after a year in Denver, he moved back to DC, and we moved into together. The first of our four homes together!

The Engagement McKay proposed at one of our favorite spots near our apartment in Navy Yard, a bridge where we would often go on evening strolls because it had such a great view of the sunset. On January 7, 2023, he told me we were going to one of his friends’ birthday parties at District Winery, but he stopped me on our favorite bridge and popped the question! Even though I had a sneaky suspicion, I still felt surprised. After the proposal, he surprised me with all of our family on the rooftop of our apartment building which was so fun! Then, we all went to grab a drink at a bar in Navy Yard where McKay surprised me with so many of our close friends to continue the celebration.  We celebrated all afternoon and night with our very large family and close friends. It’s one of my favorite days.

Wedding Design Inspiration The main thing we wanted was for the wedding to look and feel like us. We did not want it to be overdone. Since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to get married at my parent’s house. My parent’s home is so beautiful and filled with millions of happy memories, so we wanted to choose a design that complimented it as opposed to overshadowed it. We went with classic blues, a touch of happy yellows, and a floral design that resembled picking fresh flowers from a garden. Of course, Sam from Simplychic and all the vendors made it look amazing. My parents also went above and beyond to make our vision come to life and get their lovely property ready for such a special occasion. Overall, we wanted it to be timeless, elegant, personal, and all of the people we love to have a great time.

What Was Unique and Special About Your Wedding Day: The venue being in my childhood home made it feel deeply personal, relaxed, beyond meaningful. I could go on and on. I got ready in my childhood bedroom surrounded by my mom, sister, future sister and mothers-in-law, and friends from all different phases of life. My bridesmaids got emotional for all the time they had spent there as well. It was deeply personal for us all. We all had so many memories of getting ready for prom or simply getting ready for a night out at my parent’s house so getting ready there was second nature for all of us—except this time it felt ten times more emotional. The ceremony took place in the grass field next to my parent’s terrace and patio where I have so many memories playing kickball and lacrosse with my siblings and cousins and we danced the night away under the most beautiful tent centered in the back yard where my family has had so many cookouts, graduation parties, and birthday celebrations. For McKay, he had already celebrated so many holidays and happy memories at my parents’ home as well and he grew up about five minutes from my childhood home so the whole occasion felt deeply personal for both of us obviously emotionally but also physically being in a place so representative of our family and childhoods.

Favorite Details The tent was stunning.  We loved how the tent looked like a dream after the sun had set. I also was obsessed with the tablescapes that our wedding planner Sam so thoughtfully picked out.

My beautiful bridesmaids—they crushed the dresses. I asked them to pick out light blue patterns or fun textured dresses that they felt beautiful in. They all looked AMAZING!

ALL of the music! We had the string quartet surprise McKay with “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele , a song very meaningful to both of us and I definitely saw a few tears shed. It was an amazing moment. During cocktail hour, we had a calypso player as a fun twist to mix it up a little and felt like a calypso band would get the party started. The reception band, The Revels from Elan Artists, were an ode to my taste in music while the Noah Pierre Band (after party band) is more of McKay’s taste. Both were great and we got so many compliments from our guests about all the music. As the Revels were wrapping up at the reception, Noah Pierre Band started playing up on the patio area where the after party was and it was such a fun way to seamlessly keep the party going!

Most Unexpected Event On Your Wedding Day After the ceremony, we got to go out on this Juliet balcony off of my older sister’s room and greet everyone. This was totally not planned but a suggestion from my sister (who was also the Maid of Honor).  It was such a special moment to see all of our people. When we walked back inside to join the party, we both were tearing up and had chills because we felt so deeply loved and supported.

Another unexpected moment was our lift during the first dance. We danced to “Everything” by Michael Buble, and it felt like no one was there but us. We were initially nervous to dance in front of everyone, but we had so much fun with it . . . leading us to be brave enough to do a lift we had practiced but ultimately did not intend to attempt in front of 260 people. I am so happy we did! It was such a fun and happy moment.

Beauty Amie Decker Beauty Cake Our favorite red velvet cake from Graul’s Caterer Occasion Caterers Floral Design Sophie Felts Groom Jacket was designed by one of his college friends at Tom Barnett New York Honeymoon St. Lucia’s LaDera and Sugar Beach Invitations Lime & Lily Calligraphy Location Bride’s childhood home in Baltimore Music Strings (ceremony) and The Revels (reception) from Elan Artists; Noah Pierre Band (after party) Officiant Bride’s great uncle Photographer Shannon Moffit Photography Rehearsal Dinner Ampersea Rentals White Glove Rentals, Voile and Veil, Perfect Settings, Nuage Design Tenting Loane Brothers Videographer Monachetti Films Wedding Outfits Sashi and Babin (rehearsal dinner dress); vintage Dior nightgown (getting ready outfit); Mark Ingram bridal gown from Mark Ingram Atelier; tailored at Carine’s Bridal; Alexandra Pijut (after party dress) Wedding Planner Simply Chic Events