Union through spirits
DATE: Jan. 28 HER STORY: Karley Colter, 31, was born in Columbia and grew up in Crofton. She works as the Mid-Atlantic field manager for Jägermeister. Her parents, Tony and Doreen Colter, reside in Crofton.
HIS STORY: Samuel “Sam” Graham, 30, was born in Silver Spring and grew up in Bowie. He works on the sales team for Breakthru Beverage (formerly Reliable Churchill distributors). His mother, Dianne, lives in Bowie.
THEIR STORY: Karley and Sam met in May 2013 while setting up for the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. Karley was there representing Jägermeister, and Sam was representing his alcohol distribution company. They met in the infield and soon learned they were from neighboring towns — they lived 7 miles away from one another — and were the same age.
The two didn’t see each other again until a year later, when Sam was promoted into a “sales rep” position and selling Jägermeister.
By November 2014, they became close friends. Shortly thereafter, they began to date. The two would go on date nights in the kitchen of Karley’s parent’s home with his daughter, Teagean. The self-admitted foodies would attempt to make new dishes, a tradition they continue to this day.
The couple lives in Greektown with Teagean.
THE PROPOSAL: Sam proposed Feb. 25, 2016.
Karley knew something was up when she was returning from a three-day work trip to New York and Sam kept calling her, asking where she was and when she was arriving home.
The two already talked about marriage, so Karley had an idea a proposal was coming.
“I knew something was up,” she re- called.
When Karley got home, Sam and his daughter made a special dinner of steak, scallops, asparagus and potatoes. And Sam proposed right in the kitchen — their favorite room.
The two had previously discussed not trying to do a proposal that was too big. “The proposal was perfect,” Karley said. THE VENUE: One hundred eighty people attended the wedding, which was held at The Belvedere.
FLOWERS AND DECOR: Melissa Huston, owner and operator of Studio H, was the florist. The colors of the wedding were hunter green with gold accents and sprinkled light pinks. “The rooms at The Belvedere had so much character we only needed simple centerpieces, bouquets and corsages,” Karley explained.
BRIDE'S DRESS: Karley wore an Allure Couture dress from Venus Bridal in Ellicott City. “This gown had really heavy beading and I knew I could pull it off well,” Karley said. “The dress was unique, classy and very comfortable.”
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES: Bridesmaids wore hunter green, symmetrical dresses from Jasmine Bridal. Karley bought all of the bridesmaids gold necklaces with a green gem.
MEN’S ATTIRE: Sam wore a black Calvin Klein tuxedo with black tie from Men’s Wearhouse. The groomsmen wore the same tuxedo with a hunter green tie. Karley gave the groomsmen black playing cards socks to wear, and Sam gave them Scottish tartan pocket squares.
MUSIC: C&J Entertainment provided the music. Their first dance was to “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” by The Spinners.
FOOD AND DESSERT: The Belvedere & Co. catered the wedding. Cocktail hour consisted of a soup bar, crab dip, antipasto display, shrimp tempura, veal meatball and tuna tartare. Dinner included a dual entree of chicken Chesapeake and beef tenderloin. Dessert consisted of vanilla cake, chocolate-covered strawberries and fortune cookies. Sam’s brother’s wife, Heather Tolson, made the cake: a threetier vanilla cake with strawberry filling.
FAVORS: Instead of favors, the couple donated to four charities. The wedding also featured a photo booth for guests to take pictures and have as a keepsake.
SPECIAL TOUCHES: They stayed at Secrets Silversands in Riviera Maya, Mexico, for their honeymoon.