DATE: May 6
HER STORY: Emily Ann Clark, 38, was born and raised in Frederick. She works as a nurse practitioner at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Her parents, Charles and Kathleen Clark, split time between Hernando, Fla., and Baltimore.
HIS STORY: Chad William Wierschke, 39, was born and raised in Chicago. He works as chief perfusionist at Johns Hopkins Hospital. His parents, Don and Laura Wierschke, live in Lancaster, Pa.
THEIR STORY: The two initially met online in 2015 via Match.com.
They decided to meet for their first date after the Orioles game at Pratt Street Ale House in April 2015; that game was played with no fans present because of the Baltimore unrest.
"My first impression of him was that he was cute, tall and genuine," Emily recalled. "I was especially struck by how much we had in common between careers in health care, mutual love for the Orioles and Baltimore, as well as close ties to our friends and family."
The date was cut short by the citywide curfew. But it also gave Chad an excuse to walk Emily home.
"It was hard to believe that we had so much in common. He even lived less than two miles away from me, yet we had never crossed paths before without the help of the internet," she said.
They spent their second date at the Bromo Seltzer Tower and the Inner Harbor.
"I knew he was special when Chad and my rescue pit mix, Carl, became inseparable," Emily said.
"According to his friends, Chad was by no means a dog person, but he was all in when it came to me and Carl."
The couple lives in Baltimore's Ridgely's Delight neighborhood.
THE PROPOSAL: Chad proposed to Emily on her birthday in March 2016, the same day the couple returned to Baltimore from a Hawaiian vacation with her family.
On the last day of the trip, Chad used the excuse of loading suitcases for the airport as an opportunity to ask Emily's father for permission to propose. Emily's father kept the secret during the trip back. This was a considerable feat because Emily and Chad come from families "that consists of mostly chatty women, including my mother and two sisters," she said.
After unpacking, Chad convinced Emily to take Carl for a walk around their neighborhood park. At Conway Park, he got down on one knee, which was a big surprise for Emily.
"Chad wanted to propose in a spot we could come back to, and Carl gives us many opportunities," Emily said.
VENUE: One hundred thirty-four guests attended the ceremony and reception at the Legg Mason Tower in Harbor East.
FLOWERS AND DECOR: My Flower Box provided the flowers, which were in the color scheme of blush, peach and ivory. Succulents were also used. Leslie McKenzie with Elizabeth Bailey Weddings planned the wedding.
BRIDE'S DRESS: Emily wore an ethereal ivory gown by Watters Bridal and jewelry by Thomas Knoell, both from Betsy Robinson's Bridal Collection.
BRIDESMAIDS' DRESSES: Bridesmaids wore navy lace cocktail dresses from David's Bridal.
MEN'S ATTIRE: Chad wore a gray suit from the Traveler Collection from Jos. A. Bank. Groomsmen wore the same.
MUSIC: Ceremony music was provided by a string quartet from the Peabody Institute. Reception music was provided by Leni Kern with Classic Disc Jockeys. The couple's first song was "Come Away with Me" by Norah Jones.
FOOD: Restaurant Associates through the Legg Mason Tower catered the wedding. The menu consisted of passed hors d'oeuvres including mini chicken pot pie on a spoon, carne asada mini tacos, carmel-walnut crusted applewood bacon skewers and mini cheese steaks. The first course included a spinach frisee salad with strawberries, feta, pine nuts and a golden balsamic vinaigrette; dual entree included petite filet of beef and jumbo lump crab cake with potato-caramelized shallot-gruyere gratin, petite green beans, red peppers and lemon caper remoulade. Dessert included a sweets bar and Smith Island, red velvet, cannoli d'ville flavors with a buttercream icing cake from Sugar Bakers Cakes.
FAVORS: In lieu of favors, guests took home photos from a photo booth, and the couple made donations to the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter and the Alzheimer's Association.
SPECIAL TOUCHES: The couple spent two nights in St. Michael's after the wedding and plan to honeymoon in Italy this fall.
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