Washington DC Catholic wedding - military groom - The Wharf - green bridesmaid dresses

Tented Maryland Wedding

V & H planned their Holy Rosary wedding ceremony and their Maryland tented wedding reception from their new home in Southern California. They got ready at the Intercontinental at the Wharf before their Catholic wedding ceremony.

Holy Rosary Catholic Ceremony

I love bringing couples to Holy Rosary to be married. Holy Rosary is not stingy with its nuptial masses. They welcome all couples (who complete Pre Cana, etc.) to marry in their church, no matter their status as members in the parish. I never understood the gatekeeping at churches. Isn’t the goal to have more couples marry in the church?

Maryland Tented Wedding Reception

V & H knew that they would have over 200 guests attend their summer wedding, so finding a large venue was imperative. After considering a few DC locations, they came back to a private club that H’s family has been a part of for years. The Marlborough Hunt Club offered a large area to set up a tent, plus both indoor and outdoor space for the cocktail reception.

V & H did a Polish blessing before dinner that I had never seen before. Part of it included a shot of water and a shot of vodka offered by the parents. The couple does not know which is which, and the bride picks first. The person who ends up with the vodka shot, so it is said, is the winner of all future arguments in the marriage.

Ceremony Location: Holy Rosary // Reception Venue: Marlborough Hunt Club // Planning and Coordination: Bellwether Events // Photography: Astrid Photography // Florals: LynnVale Studios // Catering: Well Dunn // Tent, lighting and rentals: Top Hat Party Design // Valet: MJ Valet // Transportation: RMA Limo // Restroom trailer: GotUgo // Beauty: JKW Beauty // Entertainment: Tidewater Drive of Sam Hill Bands // Rentals: Table Manners

If tented weddings pique your interest, please check out my free ebook, The Elegant At-Home Wedding.