Date: Dec. 13
Her story: Amanda Lane, 30, grew up in Altavista, Va. She works as an administrative coordinator for patient access at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Her mother and stepfather, Judy and Mike Tolle, live in Crownsville. Her father, Fred Lane, lives in Dallas.
His story: Mario Pompa, 35, grew up in Bel Air and works as a personal trainer at the Maryland Athletic Club in Timonium. His mother, Stephanie Pompa, lives in Baltimore. His father and stepmother, Tony and Teresa Pompa, live in Towson.
Their story: Amanda and Mario met when she was an intern at the Maryland Athletic Club. They were friends for about a year before they started dating — both were in a relationship when they met.
"He was actually trying to help me get clients and be, you know, as good of a trainer as he was," said Amanda, who after working as a fitness specialist for about a year became a full-time personal trainer at MAC.
Eventually, it worked out that they were single at the same time, and an outing at Hightopps Backstage Grille in Timonium unwittingly became their first date. "It was not supposed to be a date originally," Amanda said. "He showed up wearing jeans and I was wearing my work clothes/workout clothes." The couple started dating in 2010, and they're grateful for their friends-first background.
"She's my best friend," Mario said. "It always helps to marry your best friend."
The proposal: In February 2013, Mario and Amanda took a trip to New York City. Amanda organized the trip but had no idea that Mario had a plan of his own — a proposal.
He asked Amanda to marry him during a carriage ride in Central Park. She said yes, but she didn't get to wear the ring right away. Mario had misunderstood Amanda's ring size and bought one about three sizes too big.
Amanda explained that during a vacation to the Outer Banks, N.C., the previous summer, she broke her finger while throwing around a football with Mario. After months of wearing a splint on her swollen finger, the doctor measured her knuckle and said it was .08 at the largest point. "I told Mario and I guess this number stuck with him … so he thought I needed a size 8 ring!" she said.
Mario and Amanda now live in Timonium, and are shopping for their first house.
The venue: The ceremony and reception at the Mansion at Valley Country Club was attended by about 150 people, including a large contingent of the people the couple have trained over the years.
"We have a lot of clients that are like family to us," Amanda said. One of Mario's clients, Michael Pate, is a judge, so he officiated the ceremony.
Mario and Amanda wrote their own vows and read them to each other before the ceremony. They decided that because they touched on such similar themes, they should combine them and read them together.
Decor and flowers: Amanda didn't ever think she wanted a winter wedding, but the couple was drawn to the date: 12-13-14. Plus, so many other significant events in their relationship happened in the winter, it seemed fitting, she said.
The couple embraced the season with a winter wonderland-type theme, including a color scheme of blue, navy and white. Centerpieces made from wood slabs and lanterns provided a rustic feel. Amanda hand-painted table numbers on blue ornaments.
"I'm very particular and detailed, so I wanted to do as much as I could myself," she said.
Laurie Ann from Ann's Garden created a bouquet of delphinium, grape hyacinth, blue thistle and white ranunculus for Amanda.
Her dress: Amanda wore a silver, lace dress with embroidery and crystals from Allure Bridal that she purchased at Betsy Robinson's Bridal, and a cathedral-length veil. She also wore blue topaz earrings that were a wedding gift from Mario.
Bridesmaids' dresses: The bridesmaids wore navy blue lace dresses from Nordstrom. As gifts, Amanda gave snowflake stud earrings to each bridesmaid to wear.
Men's attire: Mario wore a gray and blue Hugo Boss suit from Nordstrom and Superman cuff links that were a gift from a client. The groomsmen wore navy blue suits by Tommy Hilfiger. They also wore gray argyle Ravens socks.
Music: DJ Santana Hahn provided the tunes. Mario and Amanda's first dance was to the Eels' cover of "Can't Help Falling in Love." "It was only 2 minutes [long] and we knew we were going to be nervous, so we wanted a short song," she said.
But that wasn't the couple's only dance of the night. Mario, a huge Ravens fan, persuaded Amanda to do former Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis' "squirrel dance" when they were introduced at the reception.
The last song of the evening was "New York, New York," by Frank Sinatra. "It was a good, happy note to end the night," Amanda said.
Food and dessert: The Mansion at Valley Country Club provided passed appetizers and mango chicken, rice pilaf and asparagus for dinner.
Friend Jamie Schertle made a chocolate and peppermint cake, with peppermint buttercream icing. It was decorated with fondant snowflakes and a snow globe topper to keep with the winter theme.
Favors: Amanda and her maid of honor put together test tubes filled with mocha mix and mini-marshmallows to give to the guests. The bottles also had a label with the wedding date written on them.
Special touches: Amanda and Mario had a memorial table to honor their grandparents and loved ones who couldn't be there.
Instead of a traditional guest book, guests signed individual leaves on a canvas tree.
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