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After meeting online and talking for a few weeks, Claire asked Jennifer out on a date to watch a Capitals game. As they were walking to the game, they discovered that they had so many things in common with one another. They were both German, their families lived in the mid-west, both liked watching sporting events live, and they both have a love for the beach. While in the middle of the street on the way to the game, Claire turned to Jennifer and said “Wow, we should get married!” And that was the beginning of their love story. It was Jennifer’s 30th birthday and Claire had surprised Jennifer with a scavenger hunt around the house. The clues all lead to plane tickets and a note saying, “We are going to Vegas!”. 

A few months later, Claire and Jennifer were on their way to Sin City to celebrate both of them turning the big 3-0. On the second day of the trip, Claire took Jennifer to the Venetian Hotel and Casino for a romantic gondola ride. She thought he was just being romantic, but what she didn’t know was that Claire was planning on proposing to her.

As they listened to the man sing a lovely song while they were wrapped in each other arms, Claire began to tell Jennifer just how much he loved her. With tears streaming down his face Claire began his proposal. “I love you so much. I couldn’t imagine my life without you. I asked you on our first date and I will ask you again, will you marry me?” As Jennifer was shaking with excitement, she said yes!  

Once they knew they were engaged, they knew that they wanted to have a beach wedding, and chose the Outer Banks and fell in love with the Grand Ritz Palm when they did their first walk through. When preparing for the wedding, Jennifer’s father made the beautiful arbor which literally glowed, as well as the sign carried down the aisle by the flower girl. They also knew that since Jennifer’s father is a lover of orchids (and even discovered three new species) that they had to incorporate them into the wedding. Their day was magical!

VENDORS:

Venue | Grand Ritz Palm

Coordination | Southern Hospitality

Caterer | Coastal Provisions Market

Officiant | Reverend Jay Bowman

Photographer | Julie Dreelin’s Beach Productions & Chris Bickford Photography – 2nd photographer

Videographer | Julie Dreelin’s Beach Productions

Florist | Holiday House Weddings

Ceremony Music | DJ Bruce

Reception Music | DJ Bruce

Wedding Cake | Great Cakes

Linens | Metro Rentals

Other | When Doves Fly   

Dessert | Duck Donuts 

Makeup | Ashley Dean   

Hair | Lauren Markulis