Amanda Kerley Brandon Myers

WEDDING DATE: JULY 22, 2022

NUMBER OF GUESTS: 225

FIRST DANCE

SONG: “IRIS,” AS COVERED BY MATT HANSEN A SOULFUL BARN CELEBRATION

Kent Island Resort | Kemp Collective

TIME SPENT BUILDING THEIR PHOTO WALL: 10 HOURS

Brandon and Amanda picked out childhood photos of them with their dads to iron onto the back of their ties. “It was a sweet touch and a great keepsake for them to remember such a special day,” Amanda says.

HOW THEY MET

Brandon and Amanda met at Anne Arundel Community College in 2013. He was the “kid” (three years younger than her) who sat behind her in math class. At the time, the age gap was a deterrent, so much so that Brandon wasn’t even on Amanda’s radar. But when Brandon messaged Amanda on Facebook two years later, she said yes to bagels. Brandon proposed on August 9, 2021, the night they moved into their first home in Severna Park.

ISO SOMEPLACE WONDERFUL

Amanda found Kent Island Resort through a Google search. “We weren’t sure what we were looking for, only that we wanted our venue to feel ‘right,’” she recalls. “I loved the fact that I could make the Farmstead my own. It is a beautiful barn structure with warm, neutral colors that enhance whatever vibe you are going for.”

IN NEON LIGHTS

Amanda envisioned an organic, effortless feel for her wedding day, with baby’s breath, wood details, and greenery. To help with the July heat, she ordered wooden fans from Amazon that were placed on every seat. Most of the decor was DIY, from the wooden coaster escort cards her brother-in-law laser-cut to the photo wall Amanda and Brandon built and outfitted with faux flowers, balloons, and a “Better Together” neon sign, also purchased on Amazon. “We had so much fun building it and so many laughs through the trial and errors,” Amanda says.

BRIDE KNOWS BEST

Amanda discovered her Made With Love gown on Instagram. “I immediately fell in love with it,” she says. “I loved the 3D lace, the little bit of sparkle, the low back, and the intricate details of the skinny straps…it was everything!” She made an appointment to try the gown on at Lovely Bride and was not disappointed. The second dress she tried on that day, it was “everything she hoped for and more.”

THE CUSTOM BANDANAS

Personalized bandanas are a Kerley tradition that go all the way back to Amanda’s aunt’s wedding, when her brothers wore the table napkins on their heads like bandanas. Every Kerley wedding since then has had a table napkin moment, only this time Amanda’s dad leveled up. “Brandon and I are big into fishing, so my dad got a graphic of a fishing boat with us and our dog Charlie printed on bandanas, along with our names and wedding date. It was a great keepsake not only for us but all our guests.”

THAT GOLDEN HOUR

One of the best experiences of the day, Amanda says, was their sunset photo session. “It was such a treat for Brandon and me to take a moment to ourselves and do sunset portraits. Taking that time not only gets you beautiful pictures but also lets you step back and take it all in. It was an amazing feeling walking in the fields and looking at how beautiful the venue was and at all who came to celebrate us!” “We practiced dancing so many times at home because we were nervous to dance in front of that many people. As soon as [our song] started playing, it was like we were in our own world together and like no one else was around.”

THE DETAILS

BRIDE’S GETTING READY OUTFIT: LUNYA BRIDE’S GOWN: MADE WITH LOVE (DESIGNER) + LOVELY BRIDE DC (SHOP) BRIDE’S BEAUTY: EAST COAST BRIDAL (HAIR) + BEAUTY BY JACS (MAKEUP) BRIDE’S JEWELRY: OLIVE + PIPER (EARRINGS) BRIDE’S VEIL: LOVELY BRIDE DC BRIDE’S SHOES: SAM EDELMAN BRIDESMAID DRESSES:

BHLDN CAKE: BLUE CRAB CUPCAKES DJ: COSMIC SOUNDS ENTERTAINMENT FLORIST: RHONDA KAPLAN GROOM + GROOMSMEN ATTIRE: MEN’S WAREHOUSE INVITATIONS: MINTED (PAPER GOODS) + ARTISAIRE (WAX SEAL STAMP) PHOTOGRAPHY: KEMP COLLECTIVE SEATING CHART: KERLEY SIGNS VENUE: KENT ISLAND RESORT VIDEOGRAPHER: SAM BREWER