Sailboat Elopement in Annapolis, Maryland

Colleen and Christian originally planned a backyard wedding, but with Covid had to change things up. They both love sailing, and so they decided to invite just a few close friends - one of which officiated their wedding - to join them on their boat in Annapolis for the day. I was almost 3 months pregnant at the time, so I wondered how sailing would do mixed with my nausea, but it almost made me feel better. They were immediately the most accommodating and joyful group of people. They had beautiful food, amazing drinks, made sure everyone was comfortable, and truly radiated the joy they felt of being on a boat - it was so contagious. I honestly had one of the best days of my life with Colleen, Christian, and their friends.

We all met at their home, and then drove a short drive to the docks. Colleen and Christian drove to their boat, and as we all waited at the dock with the food, sandals in hand, and flowers (from Flourish Root), we saw them sailing up - all dressed up in their wedding clothes.

After hopping aboard, we made our way out in the water and they found a spot to anchor and set up. With beautiful platters of food, flowers all over the boat, and a beautiful view, their ceremony was ready to start.

Afterwards, there was champagne popping, snacking, signing of their marriage license, and enjoying the perfect weather.

November Sunrise Elopement | Adventurous Wedding with Family in Shenandoah National Park | Brewhouse Reception in Harrisonburg, Virginia

Marion & Stephen’s wedding weekend started in the evening the night before - people traveled in from all over the States to spend the weekend with them. They rented out a ton of rooms at Skyland and had a rehearsal campfire where they gave out blankets to all their guests so they were warm for the chilly ceremony and gave them all the details for the 4am hike the next morning.

In the weeks leading up to their wedding weekend, they sent out emails to everyone with information and plans for the weekend - they also asked that everyone send flowers instead of gifts, so they used flowers from all over the United States (including Hawaii!) as their flowers for bouquets, flower crowns, leis, and to decorate the brewery for their reception.

For the hike, there were two ways to get to the ceremony location - all their friends and family and Stephen took the shorter hike while Marion, her parents, sister, and myself took the longer hike. When we reached the summit, everyone was there waiting. They had their ceremony RIGHT as the sun was rising. Marion walked up the “aisle” with her dad to bagpipes! After the ceremony, they had hot coffee with Irish Cream, bagels and cream cheese, and took tons of group photos. We hiked back down, took a small siesta, and then went to Restless Moons Brewery in Harrisonburg for a live band, delicious food, and brews.

Up on the mountain it was the absolute coldest I have ever been in my life - but by the time we went down to the brewery, the day had warmed up and it was perfectly delightful.

Mairi and Jude | Rainy Backyard Wedding in Chicago

“You two are just… so weird.” Said their priest during the Mass.

Their wedding day felt like a wedding day. It was all the right emotions - excitement, wonder, nerves, and pure happiness.

But boy, was it different.

Bridesmaids making their own bouquets, a (wild) party trolley, Irish dancing, tacos, a seemingly endless bar, pizzas made to order, the funniest faces I’ve ever seen, feet drenched in mud, fireworks.

Mhm.

If you’re looking for a stunning wedding day full to the brim of gorgeous details - but also looking for weird, wild, and quirky? Mairi and Jude got you covered.

Her wedding dress was part of her mother’s. She made the invitations herself. They had about 400 guests in their back yard. It stormed and poured all day. Their bridal portraits were taken after dark, with no rhyme or reason (just muddy feet).

It was the most fun, and absolutely perfect wedding day. All right here.