Baltimore Basilica

Wedding Day

Wedding

Belmont Manor

Reception

Our Wedding

It's crazy to think that we're coming up on almost a full 10 years of knowing each other! We first met at a New Years Eve party (2006 into 2007) through a mutual friend who went to high school with Richard. Claire was dating someone at the time, so we didn't get to chat much that night. Luckily, both of us were freshmen at the University of Maryland, College Park and Claire moved onto campus that January. Claire was no longer in a relationship, so when we met again we were able to connect. We got to know each other over the upcoming weeks and began officially dating that semester. Near the end of that summer, we broke up. Today, we look back and see it as a necessary time for us. It was tough avoiding each other since we had several mutual friends. We would occasionally run into each other (#awkward), but always kept the conversation short. Through the rest of college, we each had our own serious relationship, which we both ended during our senior year. Late that summer, around the same time when we broke up 3 years earlier, we reconnected over a phone call. We began rekindling what we had, and were surprised at how much we had grown over the past few years. Needless to say, it was the right time for us.As they say, the rest is history. We both moved to Baltimore for work/dental school, traveled to new destinations, celebrated holidays, watched our friends get engaged and married, bought a house, got a puppy, and now here we are! We've been blessed to experience our ups and downs together and look forward to sharing more of life's experiences. #baltAMORduartes

The Story of Us

Our Story

Details

I first met Jon as his random freshman year roommate in Denton Hall at The University of Maryland, College Park. Even though we entered college not knowing each other, we quickly became best friends. I would go on vacation to the Outer Banks with the Heims every summer, and Jon would join the Duartes to Kings Dominion and Ocean City. We roomed with each other for the rest of college (and managed to keep each other alive) and are now each other's best men. Needless to say, Jon has become like a brother to me, and I know I can always count on him. #tinfinity

Jonathan Heim

Carly and I have known each other for almost a full 10 years. It all began when we rushed DG together in Fall 2007. We had no idea who each other wore, but her gorgeous-great-smelling-redhair was a show stopper, and her heart of gold for everyone she met was just so infectious. What I love about Carly is that we did not become best friends right away. We were always very close, and hung out constantly with our group of friends in DG and outside of school. It wasn't until right after graduation that it was just like a light bulb hit us - and we both realized how close and similar we were, so that the rest is just history! Carly and I have seen each other through tooooo many heartaches, stupid boys, nights out in CP, grilled cheese eating, drink clinking, belly-laughing, beach-going, Baltimore-ing, and now ENGAGEMENTs!! We may not get to see each other or even talk all the time being separated by two beltways, but there's no one else that knows me for ALL my faults and strengths more than this girl, and I could not be more honored to have you standing by my side! XOXO

Carly Smith

Erin is my youngest sister, and I'm absolutely obsessed with her passion and love for life! You have always had such a heart of gold, and even though you're six years younger than me, I always felt like I could come to you and talk to you about anything/everything. That kind of seemed to be our "thing" whenever I came home from college - Erin and I would camp out in my bedroom to talk about life for HOURS, watch LOST, FRIENDS, or have sleepovers in my room :D Erin has the best love for life, and I think that's why I'm sooo drawn to you because I want to be just like that! You've always had the best lighthearted view on life, and literally always making us laugh with your obsession for cows, cats, yoga, veggies, and being there for the ones you love. I love that whenever we see each other we just know exactly how to pick up from where we left off, and I'm soo excited that you get to be my MOH! 

Erin Balkam

Faisal and I went to high school (OM Scorps!) and college together. We were in several of the same classes together and became great friends. Spending time going out on the weekends, we always knew how to have a fun time. We traveled to Quebec City in our senior year of high school and watched the Super Bowl with the Canadians. We even traveled to the University of Pittsburgh and James Madison University when we were in college to visit our fellow Scorpions from high school. A little bit older and wiser now, these two fine fellas are engaged to our leading ladies and ready (somewhat) for married life. 

Faisal Qayumi

Joel and I met during their freshman year at the University of Maryland, College Park. Joel went to high school with Jon, and as fate would have it, we too became good friends. Not only did Joel and I hit it off, but so did Joel and Faisal. This foursome quickly formed their routine of hitting up the North Campus diner for late night food, catching the latest episode of Entourage online (best downloadable quality of course), going out to downtown Route 1, and of course the ever famous Noodles &amp; Co Friday night family dinners. Although Joel moved to the west coast for graduate school, Joel and I pick up as if no time has passed. 

Joel Bidnick

So everyone knows that Molly is my little "mini-me" :) everyone in college and in our sorority, DG, knows this. But the best thing about Molly is that she does not want to live under anyone else's shadows. Molly may have always been quiter, being the middle child, but she always has something to say :) You were always like my little doll - and you would always let me dress you up, do your hair, play with your makeup -- you were always just happy to play along with me! But now I love that you're not afraid to be yourself, work towards your goals, and always be such a sweet member of our family. Now you just need to move to Baltimore so we can see more of each other! &lt;3 

Molly Balkam

Darwin and I come from the same Duarte tree. Darwin moved to the US when he was 13 years old. Although it was a whole new world for him, Darwin quickly adapted to his new home and I had to show him the ropes. I could not be more proud of Darwin for the many achievements he's had over the years. We've grown to respect one another while also always making each other crack up with our constant movie quoting/Vine sharing/Snapchat sharing/GIF texting. Needless to say, there's never have a dull moment when Darwin is around. 

Darwin Duarte

So Hannah! The awesome thing about Hannah is that we literally have known each other for almost a full 10 years - back when I was still living at home first semester of college, and Heather Kerrick would let me come up and visit her and hang out with all of her friends. So it was through those many long weekends that I got to know Hannah! Like Carly, we didn't become best-friends right away. I always told that Hannah was the "smart-one" and would plan the living daylights out of herself and us; something I was the COMPLETE opposite of in college. But needless to say, I was always still soo drawn to you because of your love for your friends and having a good time. I joined our sorority, DG, one semester after her - because I thought, well if this ridiculously smart girl can do it, so can I! So we became a lottt closer from our sorority time together, even being roommates briefly before moving into the new house. Which is too funny, because after college became OFFICIAL roommates for another 2 years :) Hannah is one of the most loyal people I know - she is always there to talk, to shop, to try some good food, go to a concert, HELP ME PLAN MY LIFE, and she's ALWAYS down to try out any fun shenanigans with me :) I love that you life only THREE blocks away from us now, because I honestly think we've grown soo much closer now getting to talk nearly every day and see each other every week. You truly are one of my best friends in the whole world - and I think you truly make me want to be a better person by organizing and planning my own life! I'm soo honored and excited to have you standing by my side! xoxo

Hannah Tolley

Brendan is Claire's brother (the older one of the two). If you know Brendan, then you know how funny, happy-go-lucky, and caring he is. Although you may be able to hear him from across a football field at times, no one can ever deny that he has one of the biggest hearts ever. Brendan and I have always had a great time together whether it's watching TV on the couch, going to see a baseball game, or going out for a drink or two (or five). I'm beyond excited to gain another brother, especially a brother as spirited as Brendan. 

Brendan Balkam

DEVON! Soo Devon and I's friendship is really awesome, because it all goes back to exactly when Richard and I first started dating, back in freshmen year of college. Devon had just joined DG, along with a bunch of my other girlfriends, so I figured she had to be cool ;-) Devon and I became sooo close our freshman year since both our boys (now husband!) Jon &amp; Richard were best friends and roommates in college, naturally she and I got to hang out with each other ALL THE TIME. When Richard and I broke up, we didn't get to hang out as often anymore, but we still had a ton of fun with all of our DG adventures! Once Richard and I got back together after college, it was like no time had passed, and the 4-some got back together again! Devon is one of the funniest-loyal-prankster people I know :D I love when all 4 of us get together, because of all the history we have together - toooo many beers, laughs, stories, and forgotten nights to count! Thanks for always being there, even when Richard and I were at our lowest - glad you get to stand up there with me on our big day! &lt;3

Devon Heim

Erica is one my oldest friends! We have known each other since we were about 8?! All I remember is playing in the pool with you NON-stop and eating watermelon like crazy that day. And the rest is history. We've traveled up and down the east-coast together with our families, almost hitting EVERY state together, touching the sands of the awesome east coast beaches, and playing soccer for more years than I can count! Even though we never went to school together, we've shared many laughs, birthday parties, graduations, WEDDINGS, and now I've been able to see you raise a family of your own! I'm sooo proud of the woman you've become, the faith you ground yourself in, the marriage you love, and the baby girls you are raising. You have SO much love and passion for life - you've always been one of the most spontaneous people I know, and I love your desire for fun and laughter at all times. I couldn't imagine this day without you, and I'm so glad we've been able to share our lives together! &lt;3 

Erica Valenstein

Kyle is also Claire's brother (the youngest of the two and a twin!). I remember when Kyle was in middle school and would try on my pair of aviator sunglasses at Emerald Isle. Several years later, I'm so proud of the man Kyle has become, even participating in the Ulman Cancer 4K where Kyle biked 4,000 miles (!) across the US to raise funds for cancer. Kyle is now my go-to for the "hip and cool" trends in society today, as I vicariously live through his college experience.  Just like with Brendan, I look forward to gaining yet another quality brother. 

Kyle Balkam

Brian and I met when Brian started dating Claire's Maid of Honor, Carly. The group of 4 quickly hit it off and made plenty of fun memories in Baltimore when Carly and Brian would visit Claire and I, as well as in Rockville when Claire and I would visit Carly and Brian. Brian actually came very close to being the officiant at our wedding, however the couple decided to have a Catholic ceremony. Nonetheless, I still wanted Brian by my side on the altar. Although the foursome won't be in the same location, the 2 couples will be honeymooning at the same time. 

Brian Fratangelo

Wedding Party

The Proposal

Photos

Registry

Q + A

The Hotel at Arundel Preserve is right outside of the city and close to the reception. You can make reservations by calling the reservations line at 888-624-4011 and asking to book under the "Balkam/Duarte Wedding Room Block" or by going online to The Hotel's website (<a href="http://www.hotelarundel.com">www.hotelarundel.com</a>) and using the group code 160729BALK to book your room under the "Make Reservations" tab. There will be a shuttle transporting guests from The Hotel to The Belmont Manor after the ceremony, as well as back to The Hotel throughout the evening.

Claire & Richard

Claire & Richard

Photos

The Proposal