Francesca & Ryan | June 21st, 2018

Rocky Gap State Park | Flintstone, MD 

When I heard that Francesca and Ryan were getting married on the summer solstice, I knew the day would be filled with magic. We met Francesca through her mother, Dody, who has become a dear friend and mentor to myself and Bobby over the past 8 years.

Francesca, like her parents, has a vivacious spirit and quickly becomes one of your favorite people. Ryan, charming and full of curiosity, is one of those truly good men, who love with their whole hearts. How incredible that these two souls found one another, and now are burning so brightly, together.

This wedding was a labor of love and a communal effort. Francesca's vision for the wedding, which was laminated in a 3-ring binder, came to life with the support of loved ones. The bride worked for months curating the perfect blend of thrift store finds and hand painted signs; the results were stunning. It was incredible to watch as this group of people worked together laying out rugs, arranging flowers, building lanterns, and hanging hundreds of paper cranes. After lots of hard work, this ordinary state park pavilion was transformed into a whimsical explosion of personal style. 

The ceremony, simple and full of sentiment, left nary a dry a eye. This couple shares such a vibrant and passionate love for one another; it is infectious. Not to be forgotten is the third member of this party, Fran & Ryan's dog, Tikka. She stole the show on multiple occasions. 

After the knot has been tied, we whisk the trio off in to the woods...and they are practically floating. I'm reminded of the time just after Bobby and I said, "I Do." It is my favorite part of a wedding, spending these precious moments with two people who have just made a life-long commitment to each other. 

Francesca and Ryan's reception was packed with highlights: some of my favorites being a father-daughter performance of old standards, tear-jerking toasts from the wedding party, pie in the face, and a piñata.

But, perhaps the greatest feeling comes at the end of the night: looking up at the stars and knowing we have witnessed true love. 

All our love to this beautiful family and couple!