Gaby and Andrew, a Beachside Wedding at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Philip Merrill Environmental Center

I am so happy to share Gaby and Andrew’s gorgeous wedding today!!

Gaby and Andrew celebrated their marriage at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Philip Merrill Environmental Center on Saturday, September 10, 2022.

Gaby and Andrew were married on September 16, 2019 in a small, private ceremony and they planned to have a big wedding in May 2020 to celebrate with family and friends. But that was rescheduled – three times! Now Gaby and Andrew finally had their beautiful wedding day on September 10, 2022 – and they had the most special guest there: their baby girl, Skyler! 

Gaby and Andrew began the day getting ready in separate areas at the Courtyard Marriott in Annapolis. Then, they drove to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Philip Merrill Environmental Center to get dressed and have their first look! 

Gaby wanted to included Skyler in their first look, which was so, so special. Andrew stayed at their home the night before the wedding to care for their adorable dogs, and Gaby and Skyler stayed at the hotel where they got ready. Gaby told me that Andrew had never been away for Skyler for that long. So it was SO adorable when Andrew turned around and saw Gaby and Skyler!! His joyful reaction was so apparent and he couldn’t stop smiling. It was so sweet!! It was so nice, too, that they had the time to be together as a family for a bit on their wedding day. 

And their photos during the first look and bride and groom portraits were gorgeous!! We walked to a private little spot on the beach and got so many beautiful photos and so much variety. I loved the ones, too, with the tall grass, and the ones that included the amazing architecture at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in the background. 

And then it was time for their wedding ceremony! Gaby and Andrew’s wedding was on the beautiful beachfront spot overlooking the water at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. It was STUNNING! Gaby’s sister, Shara, officiated their wedding, and she did an incredible job! She spoke with such conviction about Gaby and Andrew’s bond. And it was so clear from Gaby and Andrew’s vows how much these two love each other. Their dedication to one another, trust, commitment, and love were so evident in what they said to each other. And it was so wonderful that their daughter got to be at the ceremony! After partying all morning, Skyler fell asleep in her grandmother’s arms before they walked down the aisle. It was so adorable to see her sleeping so peaceful tucked into Gaby’s mom’s arms for the entire ceremony. I got a little emotional thinking about the fact that Skyler was here and part of her parents’ marriage. It was so special!! Gaby’s sister ended the ceremony with this humorous line: “With absolutely no power vested in me, I pronounce you two already married!” I loved how their ceremony was so special and unique to them! 

After the ceremony and family portraits, Gaby and Andrew joined their guests on the beach for cocktail hour, with passed appetizers and drinks, as well as an oyster station, beachside games, and beachy music. 

As a mom to a toddler, I couldn’t stop thinking about how amazing it was that Skyler could be here celebrating with her mom and dad. It was just so special! And Skyler was a STAR all day! She was obviously beloved by all and everyone was so excited to see her, but she also was so, so easy-going all day! She didn’t want to stop partying to go to bed, so she got to spend the reception snuggled up with family (often with her grandma!). It was so sweet! 

During their reception, Gaby and Andrew served such a fun meal for their guests. They had an elegant taco bar with different fillings and fun toppings, a Mediterranean station with a huge variety of fun Greek foods and toppings, and a burger slider bar. It was such an incredible and fun variety for their guests and so unique! I loved that they made it their own and included foods that everyone would enjoy. 

Kelsey and I were so excited to meet Gaby and Andrew (and Skyler!!) because Gaby and Andrew are very close friends with our dear friends, Allison and Maria! In fact, Gaby and Andrew met at Allison and Maria’s wedding in 2014!! It is so fun to meet friends of a friend (and you know you’re all going to get along!) and we loved being able to celebrate with so many people we know! It was also so fun photographing a wedding at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation! One of our cousins was married here years ago and then my husband interned here when we were younger. It’s an amazing space and it has been one of my dream venues for ten years! It was so fun to photograph at the Phillip Merrill Environmental Center and so beyond fun to work with these two. 

It was also such a joy to meet Gaby and Andrew’s families. They are some of the kindest and most supportive people. Gaby’s mother planned so much for Gaby and Andrew’s wedding day and it turned out so beautifully. And throughout the day, she was so supportive and helpful, as were Gaby’s sisters and their partners. Gaby and Andrew have such loving families and it is so wonderful how close they all are. 

As the sun set and it turned to night, DJ Van Petty from My DeeJay kept great music playing all night, and he got everyone on the dance floor to celebrate and dance the hora. It was so fun! 

Gaby and Andrew, we are so, so happy for you two – and so happy for your amazing family of three (five with the pups!). It was such a joy to celebrate with you two. You are two of the sweetest people and we are so, so happy for you. Congratulations on your wedding celebration!! 

Enjoy some highlights from your beautiful day!

Congratulations, Gaby and Andrew!!

VENDORS

Wedding Venue | Chesapeake Bay Foundation Philip Merrill Environmental Center

Wedding dress | Couture Bridal of Maryland

Officiant | Shara Tipton

Wedding coordinator | Aubrey Canale

DJ | Van Petty with MyDeeJay

Hair | Mindy Whalen

Makeup | Behind the Veil

Catering and Cake | Main and Market

Photography | Brooke Tyson Photography