A Military Microwedding on the Naval Academy's Football Field in Annapolis, Maryland

The United States Naval Academy holds a special place in the hearts of Alyssa Burns & Kevin Edwards II. Kevin graduated from the United States Naval Academy and was on both the track and field and football teams during his time there. "We had plans to get married at the campus chapel, however, due to the current climate they were unable to host our ceremony. We searched Annapolis for a ceremony venue, and Kevin was able to secure the 53’ Pavilion Garden at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. It was the perfect location and held so much sentimental value to Kevin and his family, as he spent as much time on that field as he did walking the campus," says Alyssa. Beyond knowing honoring the military with their nuptials, Alyssa also knew she wanted an aesthetic that was dark and moody for the celebration. "I find that style to be elegant and timeless. I gravitate toward the deeper shades as they provide just enough drama. We also asked all our guests to wear dark berry or wine-colored attire to stay within our theme. As this was a military wedding, we also invited all active-duty and retired service people to wear their dinner dress uniform," says Alyssa. 

Beyond coordinating guest attire with the dark-and-moody theme, the couple used their floral design choices to further reinforce the event's vibe. "We wanted our wedding florals to be very organic and rich with texture. We chose deep moody florals with heavy green accents. I love the dainty look of bud vases, and how clustered together create a beautiful tablescape. Our florist designed our bouquets and centerpieces with anemones, toffee roses, butterfly ranunculus, fiddlehead fern, scabiosa, and Queen Anne’s lace. My bouquet was tied with a marbled plant dyed silk ribbon, and my maid of honor a black velvet ribbon. Our ceremony arch was created with eucalyptus and smilax, and at the base pampas grass and broomcorn, with toffee and black baccara roses," says Alyssa of the flower choices for the couple's Naval Academy microwedding. 

When looking back on the wedding, the couple recalls the most anticipated moment of the day was, "not only seeing each other but also the ceremony space we had designed. Due to the pandemic, we had gone through so many changes prior to our wedding day, that we just wanted our guests to feel our love and enjoy themselves. Our wedding team B Astonished Events and Pretty Petals Floral & Event Design remembers Kevin walking through the stadium gates and saying 'this is exactly what Alyssa envisioned.' As I walked through the stadium gates with my father, I was in awe of seeing my groom, family and close friends and those ceremony views. It was so special to us that we were able to host our micro wedding safely, and that our closest family and friends could witness our union in a ceremony location that meant so much to Kevin, with his strong Naval Academy and Navy roots," says Alyssa of the way the couple pivoted to bring their Naval Academy wedding to life amid the pandemic. 

Along the path of planning their wedding, Alyssa and Kevin had to make quite a few changes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, they had to completely reimagine their ceremony design, a choice that ultimately made it so they were able to exchange vows against a backdrop of the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. "To be the focal point of our ceremony, we chose a lush and organic greenery arch with pampas grass and florals to accent the base of the arch. Our moody florals greeted our guests at the beginning of the aisle and all-black Chiavari chairs tied in the entire space. But the true views were overlooking the stadium, seeing our engagement photo on the jumbotron, and reading ‘Go Navy’ in the stands, brought together the entire guest experience," says Alyssa. To cap off the ceremony, the couple recessed under a traditional saber arch. "At the Naval Academy, it is customary for the bride and groom to have a sword arch on the steps of the chapel as they walk out. Instead, we placed our sword arch along the aisle and as we walked past the last arch I was given a 'Welcome to the Navy,'" Alyssa explains. The members of the Arch of Swords was comprised of "some of Kevin’s classmates, and colleagues he met in law school and while on active duty, it was great to have them part of our day."

Following the ceremony, the couple was able to have a safe and intimate reception dinner. "Our reception was very edgy and romantic. Our florist decorated with velvet jewel-tone tablecloths (gold and teal), black tapered candles, bud vases with single blooms, smoked glass votives and accented the tables with dark fruits and vegetables such as figs, blackberries, artichokes, and pomegranates. Moody and bold florals were at the center of the table in antique gold compote vases. Although we couldn’t dance the night away due to restrictions, we still did our first dance, the father-bride dance, and the mother-groom dance. We also took group pictures with each table," says Alyssa. 

Given that Alyssa and Kevin had to wade through many changes during their planning process, it's no surprise that their best advice to current to-be-weds is to hire a strong vendor team. "Choose a vendor team that can curate your guest experience! Our vendor team was amazing and understood the vision we had for our wedding. I also would love to encourage couples to take risks in their design inspiration, with the right wedding planner and floral designer they can elevate your vision to the next level but keep it on-brand with your design wants and needs. Lastly, be flexible. 2020 showed the wedding community that change is inevitable, but love will prevail. Our guests loved our micro wedding and it was exactly what fit our personality and needs," says Alyssa.