Erika & Bryon’s Patriotic Wedding at Olympia Resort

Bryon and Erika met through rather funny circumstances. Erika was on a horrible date one night when her guy wandered off. “Bryon came up to me and told me my date was cheating on me. Long story short, he was. That night Bryon and I set up a date for the following day.”

When Bryon proposed to Erika, it was on a candlelit pier with a puppy in his arms. “A little back story: Two months prior to getting engaged, Bryon and I lost our 8-month-old puppy in a horrible accident. We decided to try and find our pup’s brother, and we did!” But Bryon pretended to be on the fence about the whole thing, just to throw Erika off the scent. “Little did I know Bryon had already gotten him! He sent me on a scavenger hunt to meet Carson, the new puppy.” At the fourth stop on the hunt, Bryon was waiting, holding Carson as he got down on one knee to propose.

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The happy couple planned a patriotic July 2nd wedding. Erika attended the Boutique Bridal Showcase at the Delafield Hotel in preparation for the big day. “We wanted to showcase our classy patriotism,” Erika says. “I wanted it to look like a presidential banquet.” During the ceremony, the several military men in the wedding party were dressed in uniform. “I also had my dad walk me down the aisle in his Navy whites. At the end of our ceremony, everyone waved flags as we walked up the aisle as man and wife.”

The reception was held at Olympia Resort, who also catered a delicious buffet-style dinner. Erika’s patriotic theme was an integral part of the entire experience: “Before dinner, my wedding singer sang the ‘Star-Spangled Banner,’ and then my army veteran friend and two marine veteran friends said the ‘Pledge of Allegiance’ as we all faced the huge flag behind our head table. For our first dance, we ended it with Bryon lifting me in the air, carrying an American flag.” DJ Audio Therapy kept the energy up on the dance floor to cap off an unforgettable night.

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Erika’s number one tip for future brides: “When it comes to vendors, really look at everyone’s work before hiring them. I wish I’d put more thought into some of mine, rather than being quick to hire.” As for her favorite moments of the day, her maid and matron of honor’s speech, a rap set to “Ice Ice Baby,” tops the list, as well as the many patriotic touches. “That was my favorite thing we planned,” she says. “It warmed my heart!”

Click on any image to enlarge.

Video edited by Aaron Moore:

[table]
Bridal Shows Attended~The Boutique Bridal Showcase at the Delafield Hotel
Wedding Consultant~Wendy Hendrix
Rehearsal Dinner~The Lakeside Supper Club
Ceremony, Reception & Catering~Olympia Resort & Conference Center
Dessert~Sugar Sweet Buffets
Flowers~Nan Walker
Music/Entertainment~Audio Therapy
Photographer~Nan Walker
Videographer~Paul Fix
Video Editing~Aaron Moore
Dress~Morilee from Vera’s House of Bridal
Formalwear~Men’s Wearhouse
Rings~Effy
Rentals~Sassy Pants Events
[/table]