Vows That Wow – Marie + Brad

The Wedding of Marie + Brad: A Celebration Full of Love
Each week, we love showcasing stunning weddings across Delaware, celebrating the incredible talent of local wedding vendors and the amazing couples who allow us to share their stories. Every month, we highlight one extraordinary celebration that captivates us with its beauty and uniqueness. Meet our May Vows That Wow couple: Marie & Brad Smolen!

How The Couple Met
“We met on Hinge!—Who knew that swiping right on a 6’2″ Ginger would lead to us giggling all the way to the altar?” – Marie (bride)

The Wedding Day

Venue: Bayside Resort Golf Club

• A beautiful bayside location offering coastal views, elegant interiors, and a resort-style experience
• The on-site team was incredibly organized and supportive, creating a stress-free experience from start to finish for the bride and groom

Entertainment: DJ VO Entertainment

• Kept the energy high and the dance floor packed all night long
• Helped set the tone for an unforgettable celebration filled with joy and movement

Details We Loved

• A custom telephone booth built by the groom for guests to leave heartfelt voice messages – a creative and interactive guestbook alternative.
• Live cigar roller offering freshly rolled cigars for guests to enjoy on the spot, adding a luxe lounge vibe.
• A caricature artist providing fun, personalized keepsakes for guests to take home.
• The DIY bouquet baskets that the bride and her bridal party made.

Marie & Brad’s Favorite Wedding Day Memory

“One of my favorite memories from our wedding day was our grand entrance into the reception as Mr. & Mrs. Smolen! The doors opened, Union Road—our incredible live singers—were playing, and the room was buzzing with laughter, clinking glasses, and the warmth of our closest loved ones. Many of them had driven over 2.5 hours just to celebrate with us. At that moment, all the nerves of the day melted away. Surrounded by the people who matter most, we felt nothing but joy—and we were so ready to dance the night away.” – Marie

The Brides Favorite Vendors

1. Katlyn Orf, her incredible wedding coordinator at Bayside Resort. “Having the right team of professionals makes all the difference in creating a stress-free planning experience. Over the course of a year, I relocated twice for work—including once just one month before the wedding! Thankfully, Katlyn and the amazing team at Bayside had every detail locked down well in advance. What could’ve been a chaotic final stretch turned into a smooth, organized, and surprisingly stress-free month. I genuinely don’t know what I would’ve done without her!”

2. Another favorite vendor was her photographer. “Rebecca Theresa Photography. Photography was a top priority for me—these are the memories we’ll treasure forever, and I’m so glad I invested in someone as talented as Rebecca. She exceeded every expectation. Believe it or not, our wedding day was cold, gloomy, and even a little rainy, but you’d never know from the photos. Rebecca captured everything exactly how I envisioned it: romantic, light, and airy. Her composition, editing, and artistic eye are phenomenal. Now, a full year later, I still catch myself swooning over the photos and reliving the details at least once a month. They’re timeless.”

Cultural Traditions

Marie and Brad honored their Filipino and Catholic heritage through deeply symbolic ceremony elements:

• Principal Sponsors: Trusted, married couples chosen to guide them in their marriage
• Unity Candle: Symbolizing Christ as the light of their union
• 13 Coins (Arras): Representing Jesus and the Apostles, and a vow to support one another in prosperity and hardship
• The Veil: A beautiful gesture of humility and unity under God’s grace

“These traditions weren’t just symbolic—they reflected the values and beliefs we want to build our marriage on,” -Marie.

One Thing The Couple Learned

“It is possible to have a luxury wedding without the luxury price tag!” -Marie

From the start, Marie and Brad stayed focused on what mattered most to them. By thoughtfully choosing where to splurge and where to save, they created a high-end experience that felt luxurious—without overspending.

“So many guests guessed we spent $20K more than we actually did,” said Marie. “My lips are sealed!”

Marie and Brad’s wedding was a beautiful blend of heartfelt tradition, creative flair, and meaningful moments. With a dream team of vendors and a celebration that radiated joy, their big day was truly one to remember. 

Cheers to the Smolens and a lifetime of love and laughter!