You can never go wrong with gold, it is always chic. It so looks glamourous today in this lovely Annapolis wedding from Natalie Franke. I absolutely love the bride’s understated and elegant look! The headband is a beautiful idea for a shorter haired bride. And I just love all the sweet handmade and personalized details they incorporated!
Jesse and I come from two very different backgrounds. He is Jewish and from Southern California, whereas my family is Episcopal, of Irish and Scottish descent and from Annapolis, Maryland. Though neither of us converted, we opted for a religious-inspired wedding that would incorporate both of our faiths and family traditions. Given our diverse backgrounds, it was most important for us to listen to each other and to listen to our hearts. It took patience and research to create a ceremony that incorporated both of us equally, while also celebrating our relationship and our journey together.
The ceremony music featured Scottish ballads, including Josefine’s Waltz. The music continued playing as I performed the Severn Circles ritual common in Jewish weddings. Our wedding chuppah was made up Irish lace from my grandmother, though we chose to have a rabbi perform the ceremony. Te rabbi lead Jesse in reciting his traditional Hebrew vows, and lead me in the traditional Episcopal vows. Other Jewish elements we incorporated included the signing of our wedding Ketubah (designed by my sister, ), drinking from the Kiddush cup, breaking of the glass, and reciting of the Seven Wedding Blessings. For me the rabbi incorporated a reading of 1st Corinthians 13, read by a dear friend of my family’s (who is also a former Catholic priest), the Benediction and a traditional Irish Blessing.
We have a few very favorite and special memories. The first was right after the wedding. After we walked down the aisle it is tradition for the bride and groom to spend 15 minutes alone. This was probably our most favorite moment. Our signature drink included Mint Juleps, which the hotel had sitting for us along with a plate of hors d’oeuvres in the room. We grabbed our beverages and just sat down in the room laughing about the ceremony and talking about our favorite parts of the day. We didn’t do a First-Look before the wedding, so this was also the first moment we had alone together so I could show him my gold wedding shoes how my wedding dress had pockets!
My father is a retired Captain in the Navy and my family comes from a long line of naval officers. Jesse and I met while he was serving in the Air Force and many of our guests were also military servicemen and women (and I’m actually Search and Rescue). Therefore, it was also special to us that my father gave a special toast to the troops and our friends and family in the military. In honor of our military roots, Jesse and I donated to the Wounded Warrior Project and gave black WWP bracelet bands as wedding favors in honor of the organization.
Our final favorite moment was our exit. We left the historic Annapolis inn under a stream of glittering sparklers. After we made our way down we walked to a pub nearby for drinks where our best friends came and met up with us afterwards. Walking hand and hand down Main Street in Annapolis together was one of our most special memories. It was the start of our marriage together and a moment for us to rejoice in our wedding day without the commotion of everyone else. It was very special.
Photography | Natalie Franke | Venue | Governor Calvert House | Florist | Fantastic Flowers | Cake | Fiona’s Cakes | Invitations | Cink Art | Gown | Priscilla of Boston | Shoes | Diane von Furstenberg | Ceremony Music | String Poets | Band | Doug Segree Band | Ketubah | Missy Dunaway
