(410) 417-8206

Joel & Colleen’s DIY Wedding in Annapolis, MD

Joel and Colleen are kind of like the quintessential do-it-yourselfers. Together, Joel and Colleen have helped start up a number of community growth programs in the Annapolis Area (such as Grow Annapolis and Converge Coffee) and both have been very involved in local Young Life programs—many of the Young Life kids were even at the wedding!

They’re not the kind of people you’ll find running out and buying the biggest house, or the newest gadget. They keep things simple, with the most important parts of life within arms reach. So, suffice to say, they weren’t the kind of people to throw down $100k on a glitzy wedding. Instead, they opted for the DIY route and sought the help of community and friends to make their wedding everything they wanted it to be—the bulk of which was simply to have the people in their community be a part of such an important day. They were, and it was awesome. Really.

bride and groom's name written in chalk on the ground

bride and groom's name written in chalk on the ground

bride waiting to walk down the isle with father at Annapolis EP Church

family members taking video of wedding at Annapolis EP Church

groom watching bride walk down isle at Annapolis EP

bride walking down isle with father at Annapolis EP

bride walking down isle with father at Annapolis EP

Father giving away bride at Annapolis EP

bride and groom at the alter in Annapolis EP

bride and groom at the alter in Annapolis EP

bride and groom at the alter in Annapolis EP

sheet music for wedding at Annapolis EP

man playing guitar for wedding at Annapolis EP

bride walking up to alter at Annapolis EP

bride walking up to alter at Annapolis EP

groom washing bride's feet during wedding at Annapolis EP

groom washing bride's feet during wedding at Annapolis EP

Paster blessing bride and groom during wedding at Annapolis EP

first kiss during wedding at Annapolis EP

bride and groom walking back down the isle at Annapolis EP

close up of rings at Bay Ridge Club in Annapolis

wedding party in Annapolis MD

bride and bridesmaids in Annapolis MD

black and white bride and bridesmaids in Annapolis MD

wedding party standing by severn river bridge in Annapolis MD

groom and groomsmen in Annapolis MD

groom and groomsmen in Annapolis MD

bride and groom together in Annapolis MD

bride and groom together in Annapolis MD

bride and groom together in Annapolis MD

bride and groom together in Annapolis MD

bride and groom together in Annapolis MD

bride and groom together under bridge  in Annapolis MD

bride and groom standing in marina in Annapolis MD

bride and groom standing in marina in Annapolis MD

portrait of bride at marina in Annapolis Maryland

Portrait of Groom at marina in Annapolis MD

Bride and Groom on Boat in Annapolis MD

Portrait of Bride on a boat in Annapolis MD

Portrait of Groom on a boat in Annapolis MD

I'm On a Boat! Don't You Ever Forget!

The reception was held at the beautiful, but blank-canvas, Bay Ridge Club in Annapolis. Joel & Colleen’s community pulled together to turn the park into an truly memorable wedding venue.

DIY Details of wedding in Annapolis MD

DIY Details of wedding in Annapolis MD

DIY Details of wedding in Annapolis MD

DIY Details of wedding in Annapolis MD

Bride and Groom's frist dance during reception at Bay Ridge Club in Annapolis MD

Bride and Groom's frist dance during reception at Bay Ridge Club in Annapolis MD

Bride and Groom's frist dance during reception at Bay Ridge Club in Annapolis MD

Bride and Groom's frist dance during reception at Bay Ridge Club in Annapolis MD

Bride and Groom's frist dance during reception at Bay Ridge Club in Annapolis MD

Guests at wedding reception at Bay Ridge Club in Annapolis MD

Bride and Groom toasting during wedding reception at Bay Ridge Club in Annapolis MD

Father Daughter Dance at Bay Ridge Club in Annapolis MD

Mother Son Dance at Bay Ridge Club in Annapolis MD

Father Daughter Dance at Bay Ridge Club in Annapolis MD

In keeping with the DIY style of the wedding, Joel & Colleen’s cake was made by a talented member of the community. Rather than one gigantic cake, they opted for a simpler (but no-less-delicious) cake on each individual table.

Wedding Cake

Bride and Groom cutting cake at Bay Ridge Club in Annapolis MD

Bride and Groom cutting cake at Bay Ridge Club in Annapolis MD

Rather than a traditional DJ throughout the event, the music was provided via open mic. Thanks to the talented community, we heard music from funk to folk. Perhaps the most notable performance, however, was by Dave Bunker, of the world famous Bunker Guitars and the inventor of the Touch Guitar back in 1978.

Dave Bunker playing touch guitar at wedding in Annapolis MD

Dave Bunker playing touch guitar at wedding in Annapolis MD

Dave Bunker playing touch guitar at wedding in Annapolis MD

Bride and Groom watching open mic performance at Bay Ridge Club in Annapolis MD

Open Mic performance at wedding at Bay Ridge Club in Annapolis MD

Open Mic performance at wedding at Bay Ridge Club in Annapolis MD