Event Planner Notes

Planning a wedding ceremony at the Naval Academy involves a lot of coordination with the Chapel. Only 10 cars are issued passes and allowed on base. Each vehicle has to be registered at least one week prior. Busses are encouraged; however bus numbers and driver’s information must be submitted. If you wish to have photos taken in the “Superintendents Garden’s”, this too needs to be submitted for approval. Same procedures need to be followed with most of the other USNC grounds and halls. Music also needs to be coordinated with the Chapel. And most importantly, the ceremony must start on time.

July 24^th turned out to be a pretty day, but very hot, maybe the hottest day of the summer. In addition to programs and unity candles, I brought along a cooler filled with ice and bottled water for the wedding party. Photographer Rich Riggins was at the Hotel getting preparation shots of Amanda. He then hopped on a shuttle with Kevin and the groomsmen to begin the wedding party photography. The ceremony started punctually at 3 o’clock. The original plan was to have guests walk around the USNC grounds while the bridal party was having pictures taken. Because it was so hot, no one wanted to walk around outside. Instead I asked the bus drivers to take the guests on a chauffeured tour of the Academy and Annapolis. I also told the drivers to plan on arriving at the reception at 5pm.

Once the shuttles arrived at the reception, it was time to “party”! But again due to the heat, guests decided to have cocktails inside the house and forgo the beautiful gardens. Guests were ushered into a very well air conditioned tent. Deejay Santana got everyone pumped up by playing the ESPN Zone’s College Football Anthem. Elkridge Furnace Inn did a wonderful job preparing a Maryland favorite of Filet Mignon paired with Crab Cakes. Once fed, guests got on their feet and danced the night away, only to take a break and enjoy wedding cake and ice cream. Amanda and Kevin shipped in their favorite “Graeter’s Ice Cream” from Cincinnati. Perfect way to end a hot summer’s night!

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