2 Spectacular Historic Venues Set the Stage for This Wedding in Maryland

Even the best laid proposal plans can go awry—but in Lauren and Collin's case, the moment was still perfect. "Collin had the entire morning planned—starting with a beautiful, waterside walk in one of my favorite neighborhoods to one of my favorite brunch spots," Lauren says. "But I was wearing uncomfortable shoes (classic!) and did not feel like walking that far, so we ended up going to this cheesy hole-in-the-wall."

Brunch aside, Collin was able to keep the most sentimental aspects of his plan intact. "He proposed on the walk home in front of the restaurant where we had our first date," Lauren says. "I was completely surprised!" The couple's families were waiting for them at the bride's home post-proposal—another lovely revelation. "It was a perfect day!" she says.

As for the pair's big-day vision? Traditional Southern elegance meets historic East Coast ballroom, which the planning and design team at East Made Co. helped execute. "I am from North Carolina," explains Lauren, "and my family is pretty traditional, so I wanted to keep it classic and formal as a nod to my southern roots. We opted for timeless, elegant décor, romantic, lush florals, and complex neutrals, with lots of different textures. It was sparkly without being glittery."

Finding the appropriate venues was at the top of the priority list, and two Baltimore landmarks ultimately fit the bill. Old St. Paul's Church, which is affiliated with the groom's former high school, was an easy choice for the ceremony for both sentimental and practical reasons. "It has a classic exterior with a stunning interior," says Lauren, and it was also located near The Belvedere, the couple's pick for the reception. "It's Collin's favorite building in the entire city, and when you see the exterior, it's easy to tell why," says the bride says of the historic hotel. "It has a 1920s vibe—lots of brass, ornate architecture, and bold colors," Lauren says.

A change of outfits between the service and party highlighted the different eras represented, and the vintage beauty of both venues was celebrated with timeless florals and endless exquisite details. "A lot of times, people will tell you to pick your priorities—a few things you really care about—and not worry about the rest," Lauren says of the advice the couple received. "I disagree. You only get married once! I was really excited about every detail and because I invested. It made it that much more special when it all finally came together on the big day!"

Completely Custom

The couple's chic, elegant letterpress stationery suite by Emily Baird Design was a completely custom design centered around a 6" x 9" oversized invitation card with touches of gold foil. A peony-patterned envelope liner was inspired by dinner plates the bride had already chosen for the reception; a black belly band featuring a simplified "LC" monogram signaled the black-tie attire and overall vibe of the formal event to come.

Guy Time

Collin's groomsmen helped him into his three-piece black tuxedo from The Black Tux, which echoed their own in style and formality.

Dapper Groom

The groom accessorized with square button covers and special hardware. "We purchased matching cuff links engraved with everyone's initials for myself and all the groomsmen and ushers as part of a thank-you gift for standing with me on the day-of," he says.

Classic Meets Modern

Lauren's strapless column wedding dress by Monique Lhuillier, complete with a gracefully ruched bodice, felt "classic and modern at the same time," she says. "I loved the simple, romantic front and dramatic back."

Love in Bloom

She opted for lush, full blooms in neutral shades scattered with pops of pink and green in her hand-tied bouquet, crafted by Victoria Clausen Floral Events. The quicksand and ivory garden roses, stock, white tulips, ranunculus, and dahlias were purposefully arranged to prevent the piece from looking "too perfect," but it was lavish enough to carry some weight. "It was heavy, but I loved it," says the bride.

'Maids in Rose

The bride's attendants wore crepe off-the-shoulder gowns from Dessy in the dusty rose color family. "I like that the hue complemented all skin tones," says Lauren, "and the dress style really tied in with the elegant, classic theme of the night."

Her planner, Elizabeth of East Made Co. came along to help pick out the gowns. "I was so lucky to have her expertise and help throughout the process," says the bride.

Their First Look

"I was so excited to finally see Collin and get to hang out together for the rest of the day," says the bride of the couple's first look, which the groom was initially resistant to.

"The first look was actually one of my favorite parts. It allowed Lauren and I to spend some private time together during a day that, while about our love, was otherwise so full of time with our family and friends," he says.

Trolley Time

When it was nearly showtime, a trolley toted guests from their lodgings to the church.

A Moment with Dad

Ahead of the ceremony, Lauren's dad proudly escorted her from her chosen mode of transportation—a white Rolls Royce—to the church, where he walked her down the aisle to Pachelbel's "Canon in D."

Historic Beauty

Pillar floral arrangements were situated at the altar to brighten the sanctuary and form a semi-arch behind the couple as they exchanged traditional vows they sealed with a kiss. With its stunning stained glass, mosaic art, and marble altar, the basilica-style sanctuary of Old St. Paul's Church made a breathtaking backdrop for the couple's ceremony.

That Just-Married Feeling

After the service, the pair brought their wedding party—and some Champagne—to Mt. Vernon for toasts and a mini shoot before the formal photography session with their families.

Garden Bar

Cocktail hour offerings were listed on mounted signage that doubled as a statement bar piece, complete with blooming vines.

Table Talk

The breathtaking 24-foot head reception table featured a continuous floral runner interspersed with tall arrangements that created a similar effect overhead. A mix of blush, embroidered table linens, and ivory napkins reflected the floral color scheme, while cut-crystal stemware glinted in the romantic candlelight.

Magical Ambience

Mirrored rose-gold seating, copper flatware, and pale fabrics infused the ballroom with warmth and glamorous light. Sandstone colored candles contributed to the magical ambience and matched the quicksand roses in the centerpieces. Place settings were a combination of the gold peony-print dinner plates foreshadowed by the invitations and blush menus printed with a script font in a typographic style—a nod to the mix of traditional and modern styles the couple embraced for their big day.

A Toast

During a series of (hilarious) toasts, dinner began; the meal kicked off with a baby arugula salad and culminated in a duet entrée featuring cabernet-braised short ribs and bronzed mahi-mahi, courtesy of Belvedere & Co.

Take Two

The couple slipped into their second looks for the reception, with Lauren outfitted in a fitted sleeveless gown by Anna Campbell that sparkled merrily alongside Collin's smart white dinner jacket—a classic, elegant nod to the Beaux Arts-era of the venue.

For their first dance, the pair chose "Heaven" by Kane Brown. "We love all of Kane Brown's music and 'Heaven' is a favorite for both of us," says Lauren. "We jokingly slid into his DMs, invited him to the wedding, and asked to perform our first dance song live. Still waiting on that RSVP!"

Let's Dance

The pair's nine-piece band, Jukeboxx Band, which included musicians on the guitar, bass, drums, keys, sax, and trumpet and three lead singers, performed alongside a DJ—and kept the dance floor full all night long. "Lauren dancing with a drink in hand to Drake during the DJ set was a vibe," says Elizabeth. "Everyone loved it."

Bridal Sweet

Sugar Bakers Cakes iced five tiers of lemon and yellow cake in buttercream and decorated every layer with pastillage and fondant button flowers.

Love, Cam

Though the pair's pup, Cam, wasn't with them on the big day, they found a way to include him at the end of the night. "For our late-night snack, we passed duck fat fries in little 'doggie bags' (which were actually boxes) with a sticker that said, 'Thank you for celebrating my humans! Enjoy the treat! Love, Cam.'"

Sources

Photography, Stetten Wilson
Ceremony Venue, Old St. Paul's Church
Reception Venue, The Belvedere
Wedding Planning and Event Design, East Made Co.
Videography, Sok Vision
Flowers, Victoria Clausen Floral Events
Invitations and Stationery, Emily Baird Design
Bride's Gowns, Monique Lhuillier (ceremony) from Carine's Bridal Atelier; Anna Campbell (reception) from Garnish Boutique
Veil, Carine's
Rings, JS Noor
Jewelry, Dana Rebecca Designs; Garnish Boutique; Roberto Coin
Hair and Makeup, Caitlyn Meyer Hair & Makeup
Bridesmaids' Dresses, Dessy Group from Bella Bridesmaids
Menswear, The Black Tux
Guest Book, Starboard Press via Etsy
Music, Chesapeake Strings (ceremony); Jukeboxx Band (reception)
Catering, Belvedere & Co.
Cake, Sugar Bakers Cakes
Rentals, Event Revolution; Hot Pink Photo Booth; Select Event Group; Victoria Clausen Floral Events
Transportation, American Limousines, Inc.; Concours Vintage Limousine; ZBest
Lighting and Draping, Event Dynamics Inc.