Ah!

On a rainy gray-ish day like today, getting to look at this wedding again is just the happy I needed.

It was full of brights and bests; the day’s perfect summer light split between the classic formality of the Naval Academy and the casual elegance of a vacation home in the country. Carrie at Fleurish Events and Lauren put their genius creativity to its best use, and I can’t imagine guests appreciating their efforts more for that splendid night under the stars and tree-strung lights.

Ever since Lauren and Aaron’s engagement session last year I’d been especially looking forward to their wedding. They’re just the kind of fun people everyone likes to know, and HEYYY YAAAAA, now finally married, they’re even cooler than bein’ cool.

Here’s proof!

How sweet are their invitations? They were designed by Jen Olmstead (even the illustration!) and looked amazing.

favorite.

thanks to Sarah for exploring the Academy with the men!

the Academy Chapel!

PS!

This wedding was also just happily published on Elizabeth Anne Designs, so go check it out there too.

Enjoy!

Tiffany + Jimmy | Boyds, MD

Taylor + Stuart | Frederick, MD

Lauren + Aaron | Eastern Shore, MD

Samantha + David | Washington, DC

Angelise + Matt | Fairfax, VA

Tonya + Brian | Upper Marlboro, MD

Katie + Matt | Annapolis, MD

Angie + Shane | Columbia, MD

Mandy + Henry | Vienna, VA

They were one of Those couples.

the No-We’re-Not-Dating, We-Just-Go-On-Dates-All-The-Time-And-Have-DTR’s-Every-Two-Weeks kind. Aaron liked her, Lauren didn’t like him, but they got on so well as friends so that’s how they stayed.

I’m sure 50 years from now he’ll still be giving her a hard time for how long she made him wait, but then again you can’t rush this sort of thing. His patience paid off when she realized some friendships have a way of never wanting to end, and now I’d say they’re pretty dedicated to their togetherness.

I met Lauren when we worked at Anthropologie together, (so of course their outfits would be this excellent) and she’s one of the most fun, laid-back dears you’ll ever get to hang out with. Aaron’s finishing up at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, so we had this party of a shoot all around there.

Enjoy!

meet Claire and Patrick.

If you ever thought planning a wedding was difficult, I dare you and your fiance to try graduating the US Naval Academy THREE DAYS before your wedding, while planning to move to your new station in Florida right after your honeymoon. I can’t imagine an ordinary life having more to deal with and still pull off a gorgeous wedding, but then, (I don’t care how cliche this sounds) these are not ordinary people.

They met at a summer training camp – Murphy and Peterson weren’t too far off in an alphabetized lunch line and a casual conversation led to a close friendship. They started working out together, and then studying together back at the Academy, and eventually they met one summer day in Annapolis for something truly beautiful.

( drum roll please. )

I don’t know if I’ve ever worked with a bride more thoughtful and caring than Claire…through our every meeting and correspondence she clearly showed her genuine and beautiful appreciation for the people and blessings in her life.

it’s customary for families in the Annapolis area to be “hosts” for midshipmen during their time at the Academy, and Claire’s adopted family had become dear friends to her so the girls got to get ready there. such a beautiful home!

Patrick!

their First Look outside the Chapel…

(fyi – I LOVE the image above. it’s pretty much straight out of camera too – there’d been this one spot of sunlight coming through a window that I thought could make for a stunning spotlight. timing just worked aaand I love it.)

we got special permission to use the Superintendent’s Garden next to the Chapel, it was a bright afternoon but I love how it fit perfectly with their classy summertime feel.

reception at the Old South Country Club

]]> http://www.rebekahjmurrayblog.com/a-naval-academy-wedding/feed/ 5 http://www.rebekahjmurrayblog.com/naval-academy-wedding-preview-claire-patrick/ http://www.rebekahjmurrayblog.com/naval-academy-wedding-preview-claire-patrick/#comments Tue, 08 Jun 2010 18:55:12 +0000 Rebekah http://www.rebekahjmurrayblog.com/?p=718

<3 <3 <3

Ohhh happy people.

Claire and Patrick met each other at and both just graduated from the Naval Academy, so life is all sorts of happy.

They never had mutual friends classes together, but instead were first introduced to each other by their…last names? A summer training camp played matchmaker with an alphabetized lunch line, and Midshipmen Peterson and Murphy were put next to each other. I love it! They started studying and working out together, and I can just imagine their great balance of relaxed fun-loving personalities / competitive spirits making for some awesome times : )

I’m happy we got to fit in their engagement session, can’t wait for their wedding this weekend!