Glamorous Shore Wedding During a Hurricane
Can you imagine if on top of your usual wedding day stresses and strains, you heard a hurricane was coming your way?! Us neither. But you would never guess that this was the situation today's bride and groom Rachel & Michael found themselves in...
From photographerManda Weaver Fine Art Weddings: "Just days before Rachel and Michael's Maryland Wedding on the Eastern Shore, Hurricane Florence violently swirled in the Atlantic threatening to destroy miles and miles of coastline, and the Wedding day Rachel and Michael had so long been dreaming of.
The Forecasts were not promising as they watched each update warning of coastal flooding in the Chesapeake Bay area… and so they made alternative plans to move their alfresco wedding into the only available space they could find, a local community center, so that their friends and family that had planned to travel across states, and borders could safely gather and celebrate amidst the storm. It was not the dream… it was as Rachel says “heartbreaking.” But they were focused on starting their journey as husband and wife on that September 15th 2018… no matter what Florence threatened to do."
But then, Wednesday the 12th, the projections changed, Florence was downgraded from a category 4 to a 2 and the path of the hurricane, did not appear to be headed into the Mid-Atlantic region where Maryland sits. And so all of those plans that had been dashed were unearthed. Countless phone calls to family, friends, and the team of artists serving the couple were made with the wonderful news. “The Wedding plans are back on!” And so it was… Rachel and Michael's day held blue skies, sunshine, and a gorgeous sunset.
The sailcloth tent stood tall and created a lush garden ambiance filled with hope, joy, and love as they dined on Maryland Crab Cakes, toasted the wonder of these two people who are meant to be, and danced the night away. The guests enjoyed fresh Chesapeake Bay Oysters during cocktail hour, while they walked about the Foley’s gorgeous waterfront property enjoying the beauty of nature, and celebrating Rachel and Michael’s romance. The guest signed a map of the Chesapeake Bay area in lieu of guestbook, and placed messages in bottle for Rachel and Michael to read in the years to come.
Everything about this Wedding day seemed right. It was a magical, organic, and authentically lovely affair. Just like Rachel and Michael’s romance!
From Rachel & Michael: "Our wedding was fun, romantic, garden-esk, and of course held touches of comfort being at the Foley Home -We met in the summer of 2013. Both of us had shore houses with our friend groups in Manasquan, NJ and we were all enjoying a happy hour at a popular spot in the next town over (Sea Girt, NJ) at the Parker House. Some of his friends starting mingling with some of my friends and next thing you know we are introducing ourselves to each other with a handshake. We continued to see each other every weekend for the rest of the summer and over labor day weekend, he told me he wanted to take me out in the city once the summer was over. This leads into our first official date that September. We met at his NYC apartment and took a cab over to a restaurant he had chosen. We got out of the cab when we thought we had arrived, however, the restaurant was no where to be seen... so he used the Yelp ap to try and navigate us there by walking (not sure why he didn't plug the address into any reliable navigation ap..)... needless to say, we never found the restaurant and instead we saw a nice little restaurant that had one table left, a small table for two next to the window. The food, wine and conversation was perfect. I am not sure when you can say we officially started dating haha but we had a natural progression. We moved in together in May of 2015 and he proposed in February 2017 in our Hoboken apartment. I had walked in after my friend convinced me to get our nails done and there were flowers and candles everywhere and a song playing that we had deemed "our song" as soon as it was released. Once he proposed, he told me that our favorite restaurant (Grand Vin) had a special engagement dinner menu. When we arrived, our family and friends were all there waiting! Michael had set up an open bar with special His and Hers drinks and appetizers. The following day, we flew to Naples, Florida for an already planned mini vaca! What are we looking forward to most as husband and wife? I would say continuing to travel, being happy, purchasing our first home, and growing our family. I think we work really well as a team and will continue to be the best teammates, cheerleaders, friends, and partners."
vendor details
Photographer: Manda Weaver Fine Art Weddings | Film lab: Find Lab with film supplier Film Supply Club | Event Design & Planning: White Oak Weddings and Events | Venue: Private Residence | Florist: Seaberry Farm | Wedding Dress Designer: Allure Bridals | Dress Boutique: Kleinfeld Bridal | Bridesmaid Dress Designer: Bill Levkoff | Hair and Makeup: Alison Harper and Co. | Invitation Designer: Hudson Paperie | Caterer: Gourmet by the Bay | Cake Baker: Julie Bakes | Rental Company: Eastern Shore Tents and Events | Events DJ: Mazz Entertainment
Comments
Although your love and relationship is the most important thing, no one wants a hurricane on their wedding day! But what a lovely day it turned out to be! Congratulations, Rachel and Michael!
Everything about this wedding was classic and elegant and felt seamless with the waterfront environment.
