This Couple's Comfortable, Refined Coastal Wedding in Annapolis, Maryland, Was a Reflection of Their Personal Hosting Style

Trending Videos

bride and groom standing outside next to floral arch with their yellow lab dog — Perry Vaile Photography

When Jeremy D'Aloisio proposed to Kathryn Becker, it took the bride-to-be by surprise. "Jeremy secretly had his parents fly into town in September 2018," says Kathryn. "Both sets of parents were hiding in the bushes on a quaint street in Annapolis when we walked up, while our lab Baxter was dressed in a tuxedo with the sign "Will you marry Dad?" around his neck. I have never been so confused and shocked in my life—I didn't recognize our own dog!"

An Annapolis native, Kathryn had always loved St. Mary's Church with its gorgeous sea-blue ceilings and historic charm. As for the reception site, Kathryn and Jeremy considered venues close to downtown Annapolis, but once they visited Whitehall, they knew it was perfect for them. "It allowed us a blank canvas to create the reception we loved, all with the backdrop of a beautiful setting," says the bride.

When brainstorming their big day's style, Kathryn and Jeremy settled on a coastal-chic vibe filled with Annapolis blues (navy, ocean, and dusty hues punctuated the color palette) with hints of blush and lots of pattern play. They commissioned a custom illustration for their invitation suite that incorporated Baxter, several Annapolis locales, and elements of the couple's home states—then threaded the pattern throughout the rest of their décor.

The pair's top priority was to ensure that their loved ones had a good time, a goal they seamlessly met. "We knew that Annapolis was a bit challenging for our many out-of-town guests, so we wanted to keep it as easy as possible once they got here," says Kathryn. "With that as our guiding light, we wanted to craft a comfortably elegant evening, where we could kick back and have fun with the people we love most. Our highest compliment was from a family friend who remarked, 'I felt like I was at a dinner party in your living room.' It was important to us that our guests did not have a lot of obligations, but instead could eat, dance, chat, and drink whenever they wanted, which reflected our own personal style of hosting."

01 of 21

Letterpress Invitations

coastal-chic multi-blue hued wedding invites — Perry Vaile Photography

For their stationery, Kathryn and Jeremy gave guests a peek at their wedding's coastal-chic vibe using the same colors and patterns they planned to incorporate into the reception décor. The square letterpress invitations featured shades of navy and ocean blue paired with blush floral patterns and a custom illustration, which included the sights of Annapolis, from Riley Sheehey. "We used the custom illustration on the envelope liner and on the rehearsal dinner invitation (in addition to using it on the coasters, accent pillows, and napkins at the reception)," says Kathryn.

The Most Popular Invitation Printing Methods, Explained

02 of 21

Welcome Gifts

guest welcome boxes blue and yellow themed — Perry Vaile Photography

The couple's one DIY tackle was their welcome boxes, which included custom maps of the area, dog-shaped cookies in honor of Baxter, La Columbe lattes, and some salty and sweet snacks.

03 of 21

Pretty Pajamas

bride's bridal party wearing striped patterned pj sets — Perry Vaile Photography

Kathryn and her bridesmaids wore pajamas in the same striped pattern as they got ready together on the morning of the big day.

Bridesmaids' Robes Alternatives to Set You and Your 'Maids Apart

04 of 21

A Warm-Weather Wedding Dress

bride wearing floral lace a-line thin strapped deep v-neck Rita Vinieris wedding dress — Perry Vaile Photography

The bride's feminine, floral-inspired lace wedding dress by Rita Vinieris featured an A-line silhouette with a lush, full-bodied skirt. "I wanted something that would embody our coastal summer wedding," Kathryn says. "The floral detailing and thin straps brought exactly the vibe I was looking for."

05 of 21

Something Blue

Ted Baker London pale blue floral patterned heels — Perry Vaile Photography

Kathryn's shoes by Ted Baker London were a delicate pale blue with a beautiful floral pattern—and a nod to the florals seen throughout the event.

25 Nontraditional Wedding Shoe Ideas from Stylish Brides

06 of 21

The Little Things

pale blue heels, gold and pearl earrings, white linen handkerchief with embroidered wedding date — Perry Vaile Photography

She also tucked away a linen handkerchief, which had been embroidered (in blue!) with the wedding date.

07 of 21

Handsome Boutonnières

blue, white, and green floral boutonnieres on wooden display — Perry Vaile Photography

Creamy roses composed the groom's boutonnière, while blue tweedia was used to create the groomsmen's.

08 of 21

Coastal Groom

groom wearing navy blue suit with light blue tie and boutonniere — Perry Vaile Photography

Jeremy wore a classic navy suit and light blue tie that clearly conveyed the event's coastal aesthetic.

09 of 21

On the Docks

bride and groom before first look on water pier outside — Perry Vaile Photography

The couple shared their first look on the dock at Kathryn's parents' home, where she got ready with her bridesmaids. "We both had a relaxing day with our wedding parties and were so excited to see each other and get the celebrations started," reflects Kathryn. "We were definitely even more relaxed once we could be together."

The bride also had a mini first look with her father. "It was such a special moment for just the two of us to be together," she says.

10 of 21

Dress Blues

bride surrounded by bridesmaids wearing dark and light blue dresses — Perry Vaile Photography

Kathryn's matron of honor wore a festive floral print, while the bridesmaids were outfitted in two shades of blue. "We wanted the wedding party to feel comfortable in what fit them best, and loved the complementary (but not identical) collection," says the bride of the gowns.

12 New Rules for Dressing Your Bridesmaids

11 of 21

Pretty Programs

wedding floral pattern on wedding stationery suite — Perry Vaile Photography

The floral pattern that was incorporated onto the stationery suite reappeared on the couple's ceremony programs.

12 of 21

An Epic Church

bride and groom standing at the alter of St. Mary's Church — Perry Vaile Photography

Décor was kept minimal for the ceremony, since the bright, ornate church was magnificent in its own right. "We let the beauty of St. Mary's Church stand on its own with its gorgeous arched ceilings, dramatic wooden altar piece, and celestial paintings," says Kathryn.

13 of 21

For the Dogs

bride smiling at yellow lab wearing roses and greenery collar — Perry Vaile Photography

Baxter wore a collar composed of roses and greenery for his parents' big day.

28 Meaningful Ways to Honor a Pet at Your Wedding

14 of 21

Cocktail Updates

bride holding cocktail glass with dog silhouette — Perry Vaile Photography

Kathryn and Jeremy worked their beloved pet into the cocktail hour, as well, with frosted glasses that featured his likeness. "We also did a Crush Bar," says Kathryn of their signature drinks, which included orange (the area's speciality) and grapefruit flavors. "They were a big hit!"

15 of 21

A Place to Rest

beige couches and gold framed glass table top accent tables wedding lounge — Perry Vaile Photography

Lounge seating underneath the reception tent was refined; beige couches and mirrored tabletops set the scene.

16 of 21

Setting the Bar High

floral patterned bar height reception table with blush velvet bar stool seats — Perry Vaile Photography

"We wanted to keep things comfortable, cheerful, and elegant at our southern-style open-seating reception," says Kathryn, which she and Jeremy achieved through whimsical patterns and relaxed florals. One focal point was a statement floral-patterned bar-height table, surrounded by blush velvet stools.

They skipped assigned seats. "This allowed us to mix in a range of seating options—from lounge vignettes to traditional tables," says Kathryn. Coastal blues tied together the waterfront setting and scene.

17 of 21

Let's Dance

reception dance floor under large white tent — Perry Vaile Photography

"The dance floor became [another] focal feature inside the sailcloth tent, with three blue-and-white drum chandeliers hanging center and a quartet of couches anchoring below, giving guests a convenient place to take a rest from dancing," adds the bride.