This gorgeous wedding is all modern elegance, especially with the trendy use of rose gold and the playful bridesmaids’ dresses in all different patterns. We love that Kelly Ernest and John Brown used these updated elements while still putting together a day that’s timeless, as seen in the photos below by Joy Michelle Photography.
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Kelly and John were hanging out with mutual friends in Federal Hill, and neither could stop stealing glances at the other. Finally, they struck up a conversation. John asked Kelly to dinner in Middle River, Maryland, and afterwards, sat by the water to watch the ducks and the sunset. As they sat and chatted, John made it clear that he was looking to settle down.
Two and a half years later, John and Kelly were headed to Costa Rica to vacation for the second time since they’d started dating. This time they were accompanied by John’s sister and brother-in-law, and they’d already made plans to visit one of the beaches they’d missed on their first visit. After checking into their condo, John guided the group to the beach, and as the sun was beginning to set, he told Kelly he needed to ask her a question. He knelt down in front of her and asked her to be his wife while his sister and brother-in-law captured the moment on camera.
For their September 4 wedding, Kelly and John planned an outdoor ceremony at Historic London Town and Gardens. They said their vows overlooking the water, beside a gorgeous garland-strung wedding arbor. They brought their “glam garden party” theme to life with the use of rose gold accents and pretty patterned table linens in their tent reception.
For wedding favors, Kelly and John enlisted their friend, a co-owner of Coperaco Coffee Co., to custom-package ground coffee for guests to take home. After a night of tearing up the dance floor with their loved ones, the happy new couple departed with plans for a Mediterranean cruise honeymoon.
VENDORS
Venue: Historic London Town and Gardens | Photographer: Joy Michelle Photography | Bride’s Gown: Paloma Blanca | Groom’s Tux: Vera Wang | Hair & Makeup Artist: Behind the Veil, LLC | Event Coordinator: Megan Hall, bride’s cousin | Cake: SugarBakers Cakes | Florist: My Flower Box Events | Caterers: Rouge Catering | Transportation: Academy Charter Bus | Music/Entertainment: Matt Szydelski, friend of the couple | Cake Topper: BHLDN | Twinkle Lights: Event Dynamics
Hunting for some spectacular bridesmaid dresses for your girls? Check out these local bridal retailers.
Editor’s Note: An previous version of this post incorrectly stated that Kelly and John’s first date and wedding took place on the Eastern Shore.
Caroline Cunningham joined Washingtonian in 2014 after moving to the DC area from Cincinnati, where she interned and freelanced for Cincinnati Magazine and worked in content marketing. She currently resides in College Park.
