There’s a certain je ne sais quoi about late summer that makes it the perfect time for a wedding The warm evenings, the collective glow of Vitamin D-fueled happiness, and the gentle rustle of leaves as they prepare to transition into autumn all combine to create an idyllic backdrop For Jacquelyn & Adrian, August in Maryland was the ideal setting for their intimate barn celebration, which featured a lovely blend of lavender hues and DIY details.
Audra Wrisley Photography expertly captured the magic of their special dayAs the sun dipped below the horizon, the rustic red barn twinkled with string lights, while chandeliers suspended from tree branches added to the whimsical ambiance To send off the happy couple, sparklers lit up the night sky in a dazzling display of romance and joy Jacquelyn’s creative touch was evident throughout the wedding, from her thoughtful handmade decor to the clever favors she crafted with the help of students.
Her love of lavender infused every aspect of the celebration, creating a sophisticated cohesion that perfectly complemented the laid-back atmosphereAs you scroll through these lovely images, be sure to read about Adrian’s romantic proposal – it’s a sweet tale that will warm your heart.
Wedding Day Snapshot
The Ceremony
As we exchanged vows on the fourth of July in Buffalo, NY, Father Ted Bocianowski – a lifelong friend of Adrian’s parents – brought us together in holy matrimony His presence was especially meaningful as he had been unable to attend our wedding in Maryland earlier that summer With only our immediate family present, the ceremony felt intimate and special Fast-forward to August, when we celebrated with friends and family We kept our wedding day a secret until the big reveal at the ceremony.
It was a thrill not knowing what Adrian looked like until we exchanged our vows We chose a family friend to officiate the ceremony and asked Adrian’s sister, Grace, to read Corinthians 13:4-8 – a passage that held great significance for us We also wrote our own heartfelt vows, little did we know they would be recorded by our DJ and become a beautiful part of our first dance.
In a touching gesture, we included two rings in the ceremony – one blessed by Father Ted earlier that summer and the other symbolizing our August celebration Nathaniel Davis, an incredibly talented musician, played the music for our ceremony, which was made all the more special because we had discovered him at a brewery event earlier that year His unique sound captivated us, and we were thrilled to have him be a part of our big day.
The Photography
I had a clear vision for our wedding photos, and after thorough research, I came across Audra Wrisley Photography, whose work resonated with me Her unique style, which seamlessly blended natural light and color, was exactly what we were looking for What impressed us most about Audra was her professionalism, organization, and genuine warmth She took meticulous notes on our vision and style, ensuring that she captured the essence of our special day.
Her ability to incorporate nature’s beauty into her shots was also a major draw, as it perfectly complemented the property and venue The vineyard photos, in particular, were breathtaking and our absolute favorite Our videographer, Chris Eastman, brought an entirely new level of emotion to our wedding story with his skillfully crafted video He seamlessly wove together our voices, music, and stunning footage from the day, leaving us laughing and crying.
While we initially thought a videographer wasn’t necessary, we now realize how invaluable their services are in helping us relive our unforgettable experience.
The Honeymoon
After wrapping up our wedding festivities, my partner and I decided to take our sweet time planning our honeymoon We opted to go all out after the holiday season, taking advantage of my winter break from school The extra months gave us breathing room to plan without feeling rushed or pressured into a specific destination or timeframe In the end, we chose Aruba as our romantic getaway and would highly recommend it to any newlyweds looking for a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
The Attire
I chose to wear the Olva gown by Enzoani for my wedding dress – a strapless ivory gown featuring a tulle overlay Despite only visiting one bridal boutique, Elegance by Roya, I knew I had found the right dress when it sparked a smile from my mom during our Facetime session The third dress I tried on was the winner, and I remember her eyes lighting up – that sealed the deal for me.
To incorporate ‘something old’ into my look, I wore my grandmother’s wedding ring, while ‘something blue’ came in the form of toenail polish in the shade ‘Borrowed and Blue’ On a budget-friendly note, I scoured for affordable accessories and enlisted the help of ‘friends of friends’ to style my hair and makeup Their expertise left me and my party looking radiant When it came to dressing the bridal party, I was inspired by the mix-and-match aesthetic and wanted to keep costs in check.
I sourced Donna Morgan bridesmaid dresses under $200, offering a range of lavender and gray hues for them to choose from Each bridesmaid selected their own dress style and shoes, with my sole requirement being that each wore a unique color The groomsmen donned gray suits paired with navy ties, while Adrian opted for a navy suit with a silver tie – the perfect blend of classic and modern.
The Music
When choosing our first dance song, my partner and I found ourselves at a crossroads due to our vastly different musical tastes We ultimately settled on ‘Heaven, the Candlelight Remix’ by DJ Sammy, which blended elements of both our styles The techno version held a special significance for us, as it reminded us of our college days in Buffalo during the early 2000s
Our processional was accompanied by the soothing sounds of Pachelbel’s ‘Canon in D’, performed live by guitarist Nathaniel Davis.
As I walked down the aisle, Nathaniel skillfully played the classic ‘Here Comes the Bride’ For our recessional, we opted for a more upbeat choice, ‘Good Life’ by OneRepublic, which provided the perfect energetic sendoff
During our father-daughter and mother-son dances, we chose ‘Wonderful World’ by Louis Armstrong and ‘Stand by Me’ by Ben E King respectively, both of which added a touch of warmth and intimacy to the celebration.
Our Favourite Moments
It was one of those days that still feels like a dream come true The sun shone bright at 85 degrees, and every aspect of the celebration unfolded seamlessly As we look back, there’s not a single regret to be had Not even oneThe intimate nature of our wedding allowed us to personally thank each guest for their presence, a moment that will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
The fact that our families traveled from as far away as Taiwan, Canada, Ohio, and California for my side, and Poland, Canada, and Buffalo, NY for Adrian’s, only made the experience more meaningfulA highlight was when our DJ, Dustin Prievo, surprised us by replaying our vows during our first dance He had recorded them earlier in the ceremony, making it an unforgettable momentOur DJ kept the energy high throughout the night, ensuring that every guest left with a smile on their face.
For Adrian and me, it was a time to let loose and have fun together, surrounded by loved onesThe wedding embodied our desire to bring people together and share in our joy The party reached new heights when the Polish women on Adrian’s side broke out into a traditional dance, followed by everyone else joining in It was a sight to behold – a sea of dancing figures, all lost in the momentMy dad’s toast will always be etched in my memory as well.
His words of love and happiness for us were a true blessing It was also wonderful to see him connect with some of Adrian’s firefighter friends, including one who gave him a t-shirt from his stationSeeing our parents’ faces light up as they shared in our special day was a truly priceless moment We felt grateful to have them there, and it only added to the overall magic of the day.
