1. Real Weddings

A Great Gatsby Inspired Wedding at The Lord Baltimore Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland

Catharine Paules (29 and a physician-infectious diseases fellow) and Randall Bielski (29 and a Project Manager at Under Armour) met at the wedding of

Catharine Paules (29 and a physician-infectious diseases fellow) and Randall Bielski (29 and a Project Manager at Under Armour) met at the wedding of their mutual friends. They spent the night dancing which ended in Catharine faking an ankle injury so Randy would carry her to her car. They became inseparable after that and a year later moved in together. On the weekend Randy proposed, he had said he was going out of town on a business trip while Catharine attended an Orioles game with her friends. The weather had been cold and rainy but her friends insisted they stay because at the firework show after the game, Randy popped up and surprised Catharine with a proposal. Her art deco vintage engagement ring created the inspiration for the theme of the wedding. Their Great Gatsby inspired wedding was held at The Lord Baltimore Hotel in their 1920's feeling ballroom. The guests dressed in black tie which the couple accompanied with a color palette of gold, black, silver and white. A jazz playing duo set the tone of the cocktail party as guests picked from the champagne tower and passed crab cake appetizers. The dinner tables were filled with alternating high and low centerpieces of gold candelabras and bowls of floating candles. Catharine and Randy held a military tribute during which Randy's sister spoke to pay respects to all the veterans in attendance and those of Randy's groomsmen who could not attend due to deployment. After the speeches guests entered the dance floor or snacked at the cheesesteak bar. Before heading home, each guest was given a hand painted gold and black crab mallet tied with the bride and grooms favorite crab recipes.

Great Gatsby Inspired Invitations
The bride's favorite accessory was a pair of handmade, specially designed shoes from Emmy London. They were black with mother of pearl and crystal embellishments, given to her as a wedding gift from the groom.
Ivory Bouquet
The high version of the centerpieces held white flowers spilling off of a tall gold candelabra. Candles were set all around the bottom to create a romantic light on the base of the flowers.
The head table was scattered with bowls of floating flowers and floating candles. Alongside these were tea candles and silver chargers. All around the room there were hundreds of candles used to set a romantic mood.
The varying centerpieces were all white with roses, David Austin roses, anemone flowers and hydrangea. The centerpieces could be seen in both a low and high version.
The cocktail hour was very jazz inspired and had a large champagne tower and a flare bartender. A jazz duo played while guests mingled. The signature drink was a champagne cocktail in honor of the brides grandfather.
The wedding cake was designed by La Cakerie. it was decorated in black and gold art deco designed squares. The bride and groom cut it with a sword as a tribute to Randy's time in the army.
The reception was at the Lord Baltimore Hotel. The art deco set room had high ceilings with a large chandelier at the center. The couple filled it with Great Gatsby quotes in large ornate gold frames and art deco inspired pillows for the lounge area during the cocktail hour.
Bride and Groom at the Altar
The bride and groom held their ceremony in the chapel of Loyola Blakefield High School. Randy attended high school there so it was an important piece of his personal history and the best choice for the couple.
The bridesmaids wore Adrianna Papell black dresses with cap sleeves and silver sequins. The two maids of honor, the brides sisters, wore a long version while the other bridesmaids wore a short version. rnrnRandy wore a tuxedo designed for him by Tom James. He also had a 1920s pocket watch and chain that I got him as a wedding gift. All the groomsmen wore black tuxedos and their groomsmen gifts were pocket watches.rn
Catharine's ring is an old mine cut diamond which Randy had purchased on its own. He had the stone combined with an art deco vintage setting which inspired the wedding theme. Her wedding ring carried the same art deco inspiration.
Ballroom First Dance