vineyard vows: gina & linton say i do

when gina and linton first approached me to help them with their wedding, my heart leaped when they said it would be at a vineyard! who doesn't love a vineyard wedding, right? with only 9 months to plan, gina and i hit the ground running, making several trips up to mt. airy, maryland to visit the venue.

as may 16, the big day, approached, we anxiously checked the weather forecast almost hourly...it was bleak, with rain and thundershowers forecasted all week. but we kept our fingers crossed. with the ceremony and cocktail hour outdoors, we really didn't want all of our planning derailed by a sudden rain storm! the weather was touch and go all day, but the rain held out until gina and linton's 140 guests were safely inside the barnyard reception, dancing the night away.

bright yellow school buses shuttled wedding guests from their hotel in frederick, maryland to the vineyard, which was luscious and green after all the rain. the nuptials went off without a hitch, although both the bride and her father sobbed throughout it! guests dined on delicious appetizers and vineyard wines during the cocktail hour, taking in the special elements of this wedding - a marriage certificate personally designed by a close friend, the bride's bouquet specially arranged by a wedding guest, and a moss-shaped "w" in honor of the couple's last name.

the couple entered the barn for dinner to the tune of when the saints come marching in, played on kazoos by everyone in the room - a surprise entrance crafted by a funny family friend. the reception look was complete with gorgeous gathered flowers arranged in mason jars and birch vase holders. after a delicious meal, guests feasted on a buffet of assorted pies (gina and linton are not cake people!), and then everyone danced their feet off, showcasing their party animal personalities in the photo booth the couple designed.

when the night ended guests dashed through the rain to hop on the yellow school buses back to the hotel!

many thanks to the many vendors who helped make this day so wonderful...

venue: linganore vineyards, mt. airy, md

catering: canapes catering

photography: jill thomas photography (aren't the photos incredible?)

reception flowers: blossoms and baskets

personal flowers: kristy daphnis

ceremony music: kensington park duo

reception music: bialeks music