The Couple

Samantha and Dan met over four years ago at the gym. Dan works for a local gym and Samantha is an elementary school teacher. This love story has joy, challenges and victories!   As Samantha said “the rest was history”. They spent their first year in a long distance relationship. He was in Northern Virginia and She was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania so when they decided to make the leap and move in together, the settled on in the middle: Maryland. They spent the first two years in Annapolis then bought their first home together in the Spring of 2019. They have two fur-babies that help make their house a home. Dan then shocked everyone when he got down on one knee at Samantha’s hometown Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. They started planning their dream wedding and then, COVID hit. So they reflected on what was the most important to them and the decision was made. They would have a small, intimate ceremony where they could truly celebrate the love they have for each other and the life they would begin together.

The Wedding

Samantha contacted me through Wedding Wire before we both put two and two together that she was my son, Grayson’s first grade school teacher. I remembered her so fondly. She was constructive and passionate about teaching with my son and gave him the structure he needed. She is, so far, one of my favorite teacher’s of the twins’ (my daughter Madelyn was in another class, but went into Sam’s class everyday for support with reading). I was so excited about the connection! Samantha and Dan got ready at their home with their close family and friends. They had their first look in the back yard with their families peeking through the sliding glass window. Sam was stunning in her simple, yet elegant wedding dress. She has an infectious smile and Dan has an undeniable look when he sees her. Due to COVID, they had a judge via zoom do the legal ceremony with a small speaker for everyone to hear. For the family that couldn’t attend, they had zoom for them too. The family rode to the Annapolis City Dock in a limo and the joy and smiles on their faces were so easy to capture. They wrote their own vows to exchange after the “official” part was over. They didn’t know each other’s vows prior to the ceremony, but they were so similar! Just another sign that these two are meant to be. They also surprised their parents with framed pictures of their grandparents to take pictures with (at the bottom of the blog). So many sweet gestures with this wedding!

Congrats Mrs. & Mr. S on your dream wedding! It was a perfect day filled with so much love!