May 2024

It’s not everyday you get to coordinate a Grateful Dead themed reception, after a beautiful small ceremony held for close family and friends. Matty and Katie are two very good friends, that threw one epic night of groovy jams and duckpin bowling.

But let’s back up to the beginning. I got all of the details from the bride and groom for what they were looking for, how they wanted to the day to run, and overall the feeling they wanted to create. We set up timelines, confirmed and contracted the band, coordinated with the staff at the country club and bowling lane, and laid out a shot list for the photographer.

The ceremony was held at a beautiful country club, and made my job very easy. The bridal party arrived early, the morning of the wedding, to get started with hair and makeup, while I made sure the ceremony and brunch reception space were set up.

It was a short, beautiful ceremony, followed by a lovely brunch reception, before heading to a duckpin bowling lane for a party that included all of their friends. For those who don’t know, duckpin bowling is a Maryland staple. During the brunch, the previously scouted locations were used for the bride and groom to take their portraits before joining everyone to eat.

I left the brunch a little early and went over to the bowling lane to help finish the set up for the Grateful Dead theme reception. It was full of tie dye, festival like decor, a photo booth, topped with amazing Grateful Dead cover band, Rays of Violet. Guests were invited to bowl during the party, as well as dance and eat. It was one of the most fun receptions, I got to help coordinate. The food was old school bowling lane food, topped with candy and childhood like tasty cakes.

After the party, and everything was cleaned up, we headed to a brewery for an after party. It was one for the books!