Matt & Phoebe // Lakeside Wedding at Deep Creek Lake, MD

You know what they say: “It’s a small world.” (Did I just get that wonderful Disney song stuck in your head?) And I think the older you get & the more people you meet, the smaller it gets!

Both Phoebe & Matt are from the Fingerlakes area of New York State – very close by to where Derrick & I first lived when we were newly married! Phoebe ended up attending college in Geneva, NY – which is coincidentally the same town where Matt is from.

And so it happened that a few years ago, while they both were still attending (separate) colleges, one of Phoebe’s friends held a party. She invited a bunch of her college friends (which included Phoebe) and a bunch of her old high school friends (which included Matt). Both Phoebe & Matt knew almost every other person at the party – except for each other.

Phoebe, being the social butterfly that she is, made a bee-line for Matt as soon as he walked in the door. She stuck out her hand & introduced herself. Matt was instantly intrigued by her bubbly, friendly personality & made a note to himself to make sure he got to know her better before the party ended.

The rest is of course: history.

A few years later, along the same gorgeous shores of the Fingerlakes in New York, Matt got down on one knee & asked Phoebe to spend the rest of her life with him. Little did he know that her “yes” would take them on a grand adventure across the United States!

After graduating college, Phoebe got a job working for Hershey (yep, the chocolate company!) It was an entry-level position, but with the potential of quickly & easily moving up the corporate ladder, Phoebe said, “Yes,” when they asked her if she would be willing to move for her job. She fully expected them to move her somewhere along the East Coast, but to her surprise, they sent her to Fort Worth, Texas. Because Matt was in his final semesters of college, he was able to easily transfer all of his remaining classes online & so the two of them (newly engaged) packed up & moved south. And they’re still there!

When it came time to buckle down & plan their wedding, they got out a map. With family all up & down the East Coast (but mostly in New York & the Carolinas), they put their fingers down in what looked to be “middle-ground” – and that just so happened to be Deep Creek Lake, Maryland.

And thus, this past Saturday, Phoebe & Matt’s family gathered to celebrate on the beautiful shores of Deep Creek Lake!

Phoebe & Matt – I know we technically met for the very first time on Saturday, but you both instantly felt like old friends. It was my absolute joy to celebrate with you both & wish you every ounce of happiness for the rest of your lives – no matter where your adventure continues to take you!!

Did I mention Phoebe’s infectious laugh?! She laughed all day long & it was like a breath of fresh air!!

Phoebe & Matt decided to do a First Look so that they could get all of their formal portraits out of the way before the ceremony! We did everything, including family formals, before the ceremony, which allowed the day to flow seamlessly from the ceremony into cocktail hour and into dinner.

The weather can be a tricky thing on wedding days! All the way up to Saturday at lunchtime, the weathermen were predicting rain all afternoon. But as Saturday afternoon approached,  the blue skies held out – and we noticed that the forecast had changed & the rain was pushed back!

Of course, we snuck off for a few “just married” photos! Just look at those happy faces!

Phoebe & Matt’s wedding cake was gorgeous (their cake topper paid homage to their two pups who were left to hold down the fort in Texas), but I think Matt’s Groom’s cake takes the cake (pun totally intended)!

Aren’t these pigs the cutest?! They acted as the escort cards for the evening & I couldn’t get enough of them!

Even though the rain held off through the afternoon, allowing us to get all of our portraits in & the outdoor ceremony done – it did rain starting around 7pm. By that point, everyone was gathering on the dance floor anyway, so hardly anyone noticed the rain outside. I noticed it though, and during a few moments where the rain slowed down to a drizzle, we snuck off down to the dock for a few last photos of the night!

Huge shout-out and thank you to the amazing team of vendors, as well as friends & family, who helped make Matt & Phoebe’s wedding day absolutely perfect!

Ceremony & Reception Venue: “Over The Rainbow” Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacation Rental on Deep Creek Lake, MD
Catering: Goehringer’s Catering in Accident, MD
Bridal Gown Retailer: Carolina Bridal World in Smithfield, NC
Bridal Gown Designer: Kenneth Winston
Bridesmaids Gown Retailer: Azazie (online company)
Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Invitations: Shutterfly (online company)
Florist & Reception Decor: Farmhouse Fete in Friendsville, MD
Cake: Lulu Bell Cakes in Pucellville, VA
Favors: Custom Cups from Totally Promotional (online company)
Custom Wine Labels: Unity Printing in Latrobe, PA
Engagement Ring Designer: Point No Point Studio
Officient: Heidi Gardner in Cumberland, MD
DJ: DJ Wally from Sounds Fun DJs in Friendsville, MD
Photographer: Kara Abbey Photography in Irwin, PA