Kelsey and Chris met in Corpus Christi, TX. He had just completed flight school and was about to be awarded his wings. One of Kelsey’s best friends was completing the same program and she went down for the ceremony. It was there that the pair met and the rest is history! Their Maryland wedding represented the couple’s love of the outdoors. Kelsey wanted to evoke the intimacy of the outdoors in winter when only the evergreen trees remain and the sky is full of grey. They knew they wanted a deep emerald/forest green to bring the outside inside. The white, mauve, dark purple and grey bring in a really wonderful contrast! We love that the whole atmosphere conveys the winter wedding vibe without relying on a Christmas theme or on a pure white winter wonderland.

Kelsey and Chris personalized their wedding day in unique ways as well! One of our favorites of these was that they used an old family recipe for the wedding favors. Kelsey’s mom and sister create a homemade kahlua, aged with vanilla bean for a month. They then put it in individual little brown bottles, decorated with sticker, and tied on some fresh greens that we cut from the evergreen trees behind the couple’s house. What a great idea! Edible favors are always a big hit. The bride and groom also wrote their own ceremony and vows. Choosing how the ceremony was structured, what songs were performed and readings were read, allowed them to create a ceremony that truly spoke to what love and commitment meant to them. For the big day, Chris wore his Marine Corps Dress Blue Bravos. His career as an VM22 Osprey pilot is something to be proud of and showcasing his accomplishments through our attire really allowed him to shine alongside his beautiful bride in a stunning Justin Alexander gown. Thank you to Michelle Whitley Photography for sharing this Chesapeake Bay Beach Club wedding with us today!

Tell us your proposal story. The proposal happened in San Diego, CA. I had just flown in and Chris said he wanted us to go on a hike. After being on a plane for 5 some hours, that sounded great. He took us up to Torrey Pines State Reserve and we hiked down to where the ocean meets the cliffs. I wandered out on some rocks, he followed me out and then go down on one knee. I was absolutely happy, shocked, and very concerned that water would splash up and knock the ring out of his hand.

What were the most memorable parts of the day? For me, the most anticipated moment for me was the exchange of vows. We had previously agreed to write our own vows, and our only guiding rule from there was that we both would keep it to about 5 sentences, so 5 promises. I have known for a long time that Christopher loves me, he shows it in the smallest, most wonderful ways, but I was very curious for what he would promise in front of so many family and friends. Spoiler alert, he did amazing and he definitely made me tear up.

Do you have any planning advice for future couples? The best planning advice I have is to find the right vendors and put your trust in them. We would not have had as beautiful of an event and would not have enjoyed ourselves as much if I had tried to micromanage the planning process or worried about every little detail on the day of

The following Washington DC wedding professionals contributed to this Chesapeake Bay Beach Club Wedding: