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Date: Oct. 10
Her story: Christina Shoemaker, 28, was born and raised in Towson. She works as director of account services for Fotoseeker, an England-based travel photography company. Her parents, Mindy and Chuck Shoemaker, live in Baldwin.
His story: Ben Kable, 28, was born and raised in Westminster. He works as a veterinarian at Airpark Animal Hospital. His parents, Robin and John Kable, live in Westminster.
Their story: The couple attended nearby high schools — Christina went to Dulaney and Ben went to Loyola Blakefield — and met through a mutual friend during freshman year. Their high school crush evolved into a relationship just before they left for college. Even though she went to James Madison University and he attended Virginia Tech, they decided they would give their relationship a chance to survive.
"Love conquered," Christina said.
Four years later, the couple relocated to Antigua and Barbuda, where Ben began his veterinary studies and Christina found a job with Fotoseeker, which had just opened an office.
The couple then moved to Blacksburg, Va., where Ben graduated from Virginia Tech's veterinary school. The couple now live in Westminster.
The proposal: Ben planned a proposal during his final semester of vet school.
On Memorial Day 2014, the couple had just returned from a bluegrass festival in Western Maryland. They planned to celebrate the holiday with both of their families at Ben's parents' farm.
Shortly after dinner, Ben told Christina that he had a surprise. He blindfolded her and led her on a walk down to a stream.
"It wasn't the easiest terrain, so this was quite the trust exercise," Christina said.
When he removed the blindfold, Christina was shocked to see a grassy area decorated with a canopy of lights, Champagne and creme brulee, her favorite dessert.
"I always raved about the wild purple flowers which were in bloom this time of year," Christina said. "Sure enough, they were everywhere — including on our dogs, who could be heard tromping around in the steam during the proposal."
Once they received word that Christina had said yes, the couple's families came down and joined the celebration.
"We were both over the moon and so grateful to have both of our families there to share such a special moment," Christina said. "The past nine years had been a wild ride full of crazy adventures, and we couldn't wait to begin the next chapter."
Venue: One hundred and sixty guests attended the wedding at Antrim 1844 Country House Hotel in Taneytown.
Flowers and decor: Candlelight Floral Designs provided the flowers. The couple wanted to keep the colors "very lush," so green was the primary color, combined with ivory and blush tones.
"We got married in the gardens at Antrim, so the neutral colors allowed the natural beauty of the venue to really shine,' Christina said.
Her dress: Christina wore a lace dress with an illusion neckline by Liancarlo from Garnish Boutique in Ruxton Station.
Weekend Watch
Bridesmaids' attire: Bridesmaids wore Amsale dresses that were also purchased at Garnish Boutique.
Men's attire: Ben wore a charcoal Ted Baker suit from Nordstrom. The groomsmen wore gray suits from Jos. A. Bank.
Music: Crow Entertainment provided the music. The couple's first dance was to "Into the Mystic" by Van Morrison.
Food and dessert: Antrim 1844 catered the wedding. Appetizers included beef Wellington, mushroom tarts, and sweet potato and pork pastries. The main course included butternut squash soup, New York strip steak, crab cakes, mushroom risotto and asparagus.
The cake was by Karen Rodkey Cakes. The couple also served ice cream sandwiches made by Finksburg ice cream shop JJ Hoffman's Creamery.
Favors: A friend of the family gave the couple a variety of peppers from their garden, which were then used to make pepper jelly from a family recipe. Guests were given 4-ounce jars filled with the jelly.
Special touches: The couple went to The Farmhouse at Veritas, a bed-and-breakfast at a winery in Afton, Va., for their honeymoon.