Today’s wedding takes place at the United States Naval Academy in a beautiful winter wonderland.

The bride is a Maryland native and a graduate of George Mason University. The groom is from Hawaii and recently graduated from the United States Naval Academy after gaining fame as the quarterback of Navy’s football team over the last few years. It was fitting therefore that their wedding ceremony take place at the beautiful Naval Academy Chapel, followed by a reception nearby at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Jennifer Cody, of egomedia photography, captured the incredible day!

Jennifer tell us,

“As the snow was falling heavily all day, and the best man was stuck in a ditch by the side of the road just two hours before the ceremony. Discover Annapolis trolleys sent their bravest drivers out and they successfully got the bride, groom, and guests to the ceremony and reception. It was truly impressive given the road conditions. Boots were the order of the day, as open toed shoes were not an option.

Inside the chapel, all was calm and quiet although the chapel coordinators had not been able to make it, the Pastor was there as were the professionals from Wedding Savvy. A lovely ceremony was followed by the traditional sword arch exit, when the Navy football coach took the initiative to try and shovel a path for the bride and groom, but they still pretty much ended up in a snow drift LOL. After taking family portraits inside (which I’m sure the Hawaiian relatives especially appreciated), we set off with Katie and Kaipo for some images outside. They were troopers and when I asked if they were too cold, Kaipo reminded me “I’m a Marine” -point taken.”

After photographs, guests headed to the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, upstairs to the flag bridge which provided a great view of the field in the swirling snow and the scoreboard which had been personalized with a photo of Katie and Kaipo. Amusingly, that photo showed the couple during a visit to sunny Hawaii…

Guests were welcomed by Bo Brooks catering, who had called in their own family members to fully staff the event. David from MyDeejay was there to provide music throughout the evening.

I just love the guest book and can honestly say that I never have seen anything like it — Kaipo’s Navy football helmet. Everyone was also asked to submit advice for the newlyweds on cards marked “We wish you”; “The Key to a Happy Marriage is…” and “Love Is”. After toasts and a traditional Hawaiian lei ceremony, the bride, groom, and their families enjoyed dinner and dancing.

The fabulous vendor team:

Photography: egomedia photography

Ceremony: USNA chapel

Reception: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium

Caterer: Bo Brooks Catering

Event Coordinator: Raquel Shutt at Wedding Savvy

Music: MyDeejay

Videography: Neil Benjers

The adorable couple met at her birthday party in 2007 and Lauren sweetly admits that it still is the best birthday present she has ever received. After an amazing time at the party, the two were soon inseparable, and a year later Lauren moved to England with Mark — followed six months later by a marriage proposal in a candle-filled apartment. She said yes and before they knew it, they were saying “I do” at Annunciation Catholic Church and atop the glittering W Hotel overlooking their old city and sharing a first kiss, dance, and sunset as a married couple.

Since they began their life together in D.C., it was the perfect city in which to host the wedding ceremony and reception. Referring to the amazing views held at the W Hotel venue, Lauren explained, “Overlooking the Washington Monument and the White House, it was such a special place to celebrate the city we both love and fell in love in.”

Lauren’s bridesmaids carried bouquets of roses in shades of pink and red, international colors of love! During the ceremony, Lauren held back happy tears as she and her husband exchanged vows and beamed at her guests who cheered in support and joy. Afterwards, on their way to the limo where bottles of celebratory champagne awaited them, the newlyweds were showered not only with affection but with pale pink rose petals too!

Despite threats of rain and bouts of wind that nearly stole Lauren’s veil from atop her head, the evening turned out to be absolutely perfect. Just as the wedding party returned to the W Hotel for the reception, the sun came out, as if making a special appearance for the celebration.

That evening at the W Hotel’s Altitude Ballroom and Terrace, as the sunset painted the perfect backdrop for the reception, guests danced, nibbled on vanilla and chocolate cupcakes, and toasted to the incredibly happy couple.

Congratulations to Lauren and Mark on their fabulous wedding and growing family – the couple is expecting their first child soon– a “honeymoon baby”!

The fabulous vendor team:

Photography: egomedia photography

Church: Annunciation Catholic Church

Reception Venue: The Altitude Ballroom and Terrace – W Hotel, Downtown Washington, DC

Wedding Day Makeup: Carola Myers

Band: Truth Groove

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a six-course gourmet meal, prepared by Design Cuisine.  Dancing and conversation followed as everyone enjoyed the amazing music performed by Aria Hendricks and her band.

I especially love how clear it is that Jennifer and Randy pored over the details of their event and used their unique skill set (her BA in Film at Bard College and an MFA in Film & Television from New York University and his MFA in Film & Television from New York University)  to create a vision for their eclectic, woodsy wedding style which was executed with perfection by their team of wedding professionals.

The mixing and matching of china is fabulous!

In particular, the green elements were extremely important to Jennifer and Randy — guests were transported to and from CBF via shuttle, carbon offsets were purchased for the wedding and guests’ transportation, invitations were letter-pressed (a greener form of printing), all printed materials and packaging utilized recycled paper, there was minimal use of flowers (and use of flowers in season and local) and the food was organic and local wherever possible.

Congrats to Jennifer and Randy!

The fabulous vendor team:
Photography: egomedia photography
Venue: Philip Merrill Environmental Center, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Caterer: Design Cuisine
Event Design: Syzygy
Floral: Multiflor
Lighting: Atmosphere
Music: Aria Hendricks
Officiant: Kit Laybourne
Wedding Planner: Wedding Savvy/Raquel Shutt
Wedding Gown:  Amsale