Wedding by the Chesapeake: Congratulations Marisa and Ben!

Marisa and Ben were married along the shore of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay at Camp Letts.

The morning began with preparations at the home of the bride’s parents. Here the ring bearer, the bride’s nephew, climbs down the staircase on his way to the ceremony.

I asked Ben and Marisa to share their favorite moments from the day. Ben said, “My top favorite moment was probably the first look. I had gotten so used to seeing Marisa so much that going so much time without her before the wedding was really weird. It was nice to see her for the first time, especially looking as good as she did. It wasn’t so much happiness that I felt seeing her, but more completeness, like something was gone, I found it, and it was right where it needed to be.”

Marisa also shared their story, “It was our very first day of high school and a good friend of ours introduced us. Sparks did not fly, there was no dramatic pause of passionate stares, just a “Hi, what’s up?” After getting to know each other we both became very good friends.

We started dating in our junior year of high school, then in November of our sophomore year of college we had our son, Nate. Things were very tough for awhile and there were times where we we didn’t know if we could make it, but by God’s grace, we made it.”

On June 18, 2011, Ben drove Marisa down to her neighborhood beach and proposed to the song The Luckiest by Ben Folds.

Marisa and Ben have an adorable son named Nate. Here he is the center of attention with his parents and grandparents.

Marisa had many favorite moments from the wedding day, but “My absolute favorite part of the wedding day was at the very end of the night when Ben and I were dancing with a lot of other couples to A Thousand Years by Christina Perri and, unlike our first dance, this dance felt so comfortable, natural, and romantic.”

Ben’s brother, the best man, Greg Palmer, gave a really sweet toast, “I always had suspicions that you’d be the one for Ben. That’s part of the reason why I’ve seen you as a part of the family long before today. And even though you’ve decided to move everything around in the house so I can’t find anything, I’m really glad to have you join this family.”

A photo booth was set up during the cocktail hour and reception for guests to take fun photos. The booth was a huge hit! Check out the slideshow including mustaches, sunglasses and a ducky tie!