Meeting, engaged, and married all within one year, Erika and Austin met via Instagram in January of 2021. Due to COVID restrictions many businesses were closed, so for their first date, they settled for a walk with her Goldendoodle through Germantown. Within three weeks both knew this love was genuine. In May, Austin proposed where they fell in love—his home. Erika’s advice—open your eyes to love in the most unexpected places.
Due the pandemic the bride wanted an intimate, and family-focused, microwedding. She selected the Germantown Inn to ensure some of her favorite people could stay under one roof for an entire weekend wedding experience. Guests lounged in their pajamas, took advantage of our walkable city and ate at Monell’s multiple times (especially the bride’s father).
News Anchor Erica Glover and Physician Assistant Austin Bragdon transformed the historic Germantown Inn into an urban oasis for their December 2022 Wedding.
Their plan was to wed on the outdoor courtyard, proceed to the rooftop for jazz and drinks and then to the backyard for dinner and reception. But Mother Nature had other plans. Amid tornado warnings and day-of storms, the ceremony took place inside, the rooftop scratched and the reception under heated tents in the back. And it was as glorious as if it had been planned that way all along.
Event planner Nora Melton of Nora & Co. honored the winter, (without being over holiday-ish), with modern black and white place settings, simple bud vases, sleek tapered candles in simple hurricanes and evergreen garland wrapped throughout. The white themed flowers of poppies and white roses were done by Meg Hutchinson of The Florista with a stunning “cloud” designed over the center of the table.
Local calligrapher, Anna Lora Whitley of Silt & Pine, kept the place cards simple and designed the barware with custom illustrated napkins with the couple’s beloved dogs. A champagne shelf donned with greenery and set with glasses of bubbly greeted guests as they entered the reception.
Signature him and her’s cocktails were devised by Aperitif Events & Cocktails for a curated bar experience. A lighted custom sign, “Ain’t2Proud2Brag” designed by Nash Neon hung over the bar. It’s now in the couple’s home bar.
Rachel Schut of RachCakes Vegan Baking made the stunning white wedding cake decorated with the poppies. Sweet potato cupcakes from The Cupcake Collection were served after the reception for hungry guests.