It’s hard to say what month is prettiest at Maryland wedding venue Antrim 1844, but May is certainly a contender. The roses are blooming and the temperatures are still comfortable. At Erica and Steve’s Friday wedding in mid-May, the high was in the low 70s—perfect wedding weather!
Antrim 1844’s Katie Coon made sure everything ran without a hitch. She’s the Special Events Manager at the venue, and she keeps all of the details organized so the couple can just enjoy their special day. Samantha of Samantha Jean Photography was also on hand to capture the picture-perfect day. With these two pros on the team, along with videographer Josh Goodman and Maryland wedding DJ Steve Hartka on the scene, this wedding was in good hands.
For Erica’s entrance to Antrim 1844’s lush Rose Garden, she and Steve chose Can’t Help Falling in Love by Haley Reinhart. Is it sacrilege to say we like this version better than Elvis’ version? Maybe, but we’ll risk it. After the ceremony, things got upbeat with Marry You by Bruno Mars.
When cocktail hour out in the garden was over, the party moved to the reception area—a beautiful white tent out on the grounds. The couple made their grand entrance to Hall & Oates’ You Make My Dreams Come True, which never fails to get big smiles (and major The Wedding Singer vibes.)
For their special dances, Erica and Steve chose a really nice combo of songs. Their first dance was to I Am Yours by Andy Grammer. Then Erica and her mother danced to You Say by Lauren Daigle. The lyrics are all about being seen and supported even when you don’t think you can measure up, and it beautifully reflects the unconditional love a parent has for their child. Steve and his mom finished out the formal dances to Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw.
For the bouquet toss, Erica went with some pure 90s female empowerment by the legendary Shania Twain, with Man I Feel Like a Woman.
Fun fact: did you know that the video for Man I Feel Like a Woman is a parody of Robert Palmer’s 1985 video for Addicted to Love? People got upset about Palmer’s video in the 80s because the “band” is made up of nearly identical women in matching outfits with dead expressions on their faces—and it was a bit objectifying. Twain played with a little role reversal by having her (all male) backup band dress in matching outfits and express the same blank faces. Checkmate, Palmer.
Steve and Erica are clearly a fun-loving couple. Not only did they have their pups involved in their day, festooned with garlands of greenery, but they also invited a special guest to their reception—Slapshot, the mascot for the Washington Capitals hockey team.
After a sparkler exit at 10:30pm, Steve and Erica disappeared into the night, to start their married life as husband and wife.
We love weddings at Antrim 1844, and we have plenty more planned over the summer! If you’re getting married at this classic venue—or anywhere else in Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, or the surrounding area—we’d love to be there to spin the tunes and provide fun facts about them. What can we say? We’re music nerds.
Fill out our super quick online form to get started with your Maryland wedding DJ!
All photos by Samantha Jean Photography
Published on:
Monday, June 7, 2021
