‘Skater boy,’ IND dean of students tie the knot

DATE: Feb. 4 HER STORY: Helen Elizabeth Bruns, 31, was born and raised in Baltimore. She works as the dean of students at the Institute of Notre Dame high school. Her mother, Katherine Parks, lives in Parkville. Her father, Gilbert Bruns Jr., lives in Baltimore.

HIS STORY: Justin Bartholomew Armstrong, 31, was born and raised in Towson. He works as a web developer at Planit. His parents, Joan and John Armstrong, live in Lutherville.

THEIR STORY: The couple met in Ocean City in June 2004.

Despite having a number of mutual friends, they had not spent much time together until after Helen had graduated from IND and gone to the beach for senior week. In fact, Justin even attended the IND prom with a friend of Helen’s who would later become a bridesmaid.

“My first impression of him was that he was a super sweet skater boy,” she recalled.

The two live in Union Square in Balti- more.

THE PROPOSAL: Justin proposed during the blizzard of January 2016.

“We were snowed in with our neighbors and he convinced me that it would be a good idea to walk to Pickles Pub,” she recalled. “When we reached Union Square Park, Justin was walking behind me and it sounded like he had slipped and fallen. When I turned around, he was down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was totally surprised.”

VENUE: Sixty-eight guests attended the wedding and reception at Mariposa Beach MORE WEDDING INFO Suites in Placencia, Belize.

FLOWERS AND DECOR: Local tropical flowers and conch shells were used as decoration. The bridesmaids arranged their bouquets the day before the wedding.

HER DRESS: Helen wore the “Marisa” gown from Gamberdella Bridal in Towson.

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES: Bridesmaids wore coral color dresses by J. Crew.

MEN’S ATTIRE: Justin and the groomsmen wore navy pants and white dress shirts from J. Crew.

MUSIC: Family members provided the music, and the couple’s first dance was to “First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes.

FOOD AND DESSERT: Mariposa Restaurant catered the event. Dinner consisted of prime rib with Yorkshire pudding and salmon. A local baker provided a cake, which was decorated with seashells.

FAVORS: The couple handed out bottle koozies and hot sauce.

SPECIAL TOUCHES: The couple remained in Placencia for an additional week for their honeymoon.

WENDY HICKOK PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOS Helen Elizabeth Bruns and Justin Bartholomew Armstrong, who met in Ocean City in June 2004, married Feb. 4 in Placencia, Belize. Just wedded? Or planning your nuptials? Tell us about it. Email your wedding details and contact information to...