Level A - Small Plates Lounge

The Night Before

United States Naval Academy Chapel

Our Wedding Ceremony

William Paca House and Garden

Reception

Our Wedding

To all of those who have known or desire love, know that Laura and Jay’s story is nothing short of a Hallmark movie. Laura was a Midshipman at the United States Naval Academy while Jay was a recent graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy.&nbsp;Jay was off on the USCG Cutter JAMES protecting our nation’s waters while Laura was slaving away at academics and creating friendships of a lifetime at the Naval Academy.&nbsp;Lo and behold, Laura’s roommate’s brother gets married.&nbsp;Laura was so happy and excited because she, of course, is a romantic.&nbsp;Marlee, Laura’s roommate, who is also Laura’s Maid of Honor, showed Laura pictures of the wedding.&nbsp;Laura decided that one of the young men named Jay who walked Marlee down the aisle was and still is– for the lack of a better phrase – striking to anyone that meets the eye.&nbsp;&nbsp;To all those who are reading, keep in mind this story was prefaced with a Hallmark movie description.&nbsp;&nbsp;Laura’s US Naval Academy roommate’s brother was Jay’s roommate at the US Coast Guard Academy – without a doubt the powers above created these incredible circumstances. Marlee and Laura being the young albeit, sophisticated women, decide to face-time this young man Jay.&nbsp;Jay knew from an introduction over face-time that Laura was unlike any woman he had ever met and he knew this wee bit of communication was just the start of a lovely connection – that it was the start of something more permanent.&nbsp;Less than thirty minutes later, Jay had Laura’s phone number and that night they knew, deep down, that they were kindred spirits.&nbsp;On that day they started something that would evidently end in love and marriage.&nbsp; Dual-military relationships often deal with long distance, which was a conundrum they had to face.&nbsp;However, luckily for them - Jay was now in Miami, FL as a pilot, and Laura was in Pensacola, FL training to become a pilot.&nbsp;Jay had a training event in Mobile, AL which is a short drive to Pensacola.&nbsp;They finally met each other in August of 2020 and after that Laura took a leap of faith and traveled down to Miami that Thanksgiving.&nbsp;They had take-out pizza and watched football – you could not ask for a more American Thanksgiving!&nbsp;After that trip, Laura and Jay took a one hour and forty-five-minute flight countless times for four years.&nbsp;They also traveled the country to witness other couples’ unions and those events only brought them closer and more excited for their future together.&nbsp;They made sure to celebrate each holiday, birthday, new year’s, etc. in a way where they could be together and bask in each other’s comfort and love. Fast forward to April 2024, Laura and Jay went on a date to a lovely restaurant on Pensacola Beach where Jay got down on one knee on the stunning white sand in front of emerald water and asked Laura to marry him - “Yes, of course my love” were the only words she could say.&nbsp;Now, they are both enjoying south Texas in the quaint town of Corpus Christi where Jay flies his Coast Guard aircraft, the HC-144 Ocean Sentry, and Laura is a Human Resources Officer, recruiting the best and the brightest Officers for the United States Navy.&nbsp;They cannot wait for forever and always together and are ecstatic to celebrate with all the people they love!&nbsp;

Our Story

Photos

Marlee Lane

Bobbi Stricker 

Caroline Power

Kylyn McVay

Brian Power

Travis Allen

Tyler Henning

Robert Turley 

Wedding Party

Q + A

The Graduate is less than a 1/2 mile walk to both the US Naval Academy Chapel and the William Paca House and Gardens. However, buses will be provided for those who do not wish to walk or have trouble doing so. Both hotels are a block away from each other. Google Maps Link: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Graduate+Annapolis/@38.9780876,-76.5029953,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m9!3m8!1s0x89b7f7e1536f5325:0x97b934effd14888b!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d38.9780877!4d-76.4981244!16s%2Fg%2F1tg82b_p?entry=ttu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Graduate Annapolis - Google</a>

The Graduate Hotel

The Hilton Garden Inn is less than a 1/2 mile walk to both the US Naval Academy Chapel and the William Paca House and Gardens. However, busses will be provided for those who do not wish to walk or have trouble doing so. Both hotels are a block away from each other. Google Maps Link: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hilton+Garden+Inn+Annapolis+Downtown/@38.9773623,-76.5003654,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x3321588ad551b3c1?sa=X&amp;ved=1t:2428&amp;ictx=111" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hilton Garden Inn Annapolis Downtown - Google Maps</a>

Hilton Garden Inn Annapolis Downtown

Only a quick 30 minute drive from downtown Annapolis, BWI is the easiest airport to fly into. They always have Ubers, Lyfts, and taxis available. Google Maps Link: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Baltimore%2FWashington+International+Thurgood+Marshall+Airport/@39.1849972,-76.6915814,15z/data=!4m10!1m2!2m1!1sbwi!3m6!1s0x89b7e2fcbbc2e00b:0x150cfa971740!8m2!3d39.1775921!4d-76.6683889!15sCgNid2laBSIDYndpkgEVaW50ZXJuYXRpb25hbF9haXJwb3J04AEA!16zL20vMGN5NzE?entry=ttu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport - Google Maps</a>

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

A Bus will provide transport from the Graduate Hotel for first pickup at 3:00 to the Chapel, then will return to the Graduate Hotel at approximately 3:20 for a second pickup. After the Wedding ceremony, the bus will depart the Chapel for the reception at the Paca House and then loop back around for a second trip in the event that the first bus is full. At the conclusion of the reception a bus will be provided and will make two trips for transport back to The Graduate Hotel. We encourage guests to walk and take in beautiful downtown Annapolis - weather dependent of course.

Towne Transport

Travel

Founded in 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy is one of the most selective schools in the country.&nbsp;It was recently rated by&nbsp;U.S. News &amp; World Report&nbsp;as the top public school in America, and has an acceptance rate of around eight to ten percent. Welcome aboard the U.S Naval Academy. You're entering a place where the pursuit of moral, mental, and physical excellence permeates every classroom, field, hall and parade ground. Where the pride of 175+ years of exceptional Naval tradition inspires the faculty, staff, midshipmen, and visitors alike as they live, learn, and work in the stately Beaux-Arts classical buildings. It's a place of beauty that enjoys one of the most breathtaking waterfront views in all of Annapolis. Access information to the Naval Academy Grounds: -Access to the Academy grounds is limited. -Anyone with a locally prepared USNA ID Card or a DOD credential, including military retirees and dependents may drive onto USNA. -All others will need to park outside the Academy and walk in through Gate 1. -All visitors 21 years of age or older must have a valid picture ID (see the list of Acceptable Forms of ID). -Visitors under the age of 21 who do not have a valid picture ID must be escorted by an adult with a valid form of identification. -Please check the current security restrictions before planning a visit.

USNA's Historic Walking Tour

The historic McNasby Oyster Company has served as the perfect home for the Annapolis Maritime Museum since 2001. The company’s success was built on the watermen’s knowledge of the Chesapeake Bay, its health, and the ecological diversity of this vast body of water. What better place for the Annapolis Maritime Museum to call home and pursue its mission of educating and informing the public of the enormous ecological wealth and history of the Chesapeake Bay? Interactive heritage exhibits, environmental programs, camps, and engaging community events have transformed the Museum into an essential, beloved feature of the Annapolis community. With direct views of the Chesapeake Bay, the Museum Campus includes the McNasby Oyster Company building, Barge House, three transient piers, and adjacent beachside park—the only in Annapolis—complete with a historic wooden boat exhibit.

Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park

America's first peacetime capitol and the oldest state house still in legislative use. Completed in 1779, it was the site of nationally important events after the American Revolution, including George Washington's resignation as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, and the ratification of the Treaty of Paris. The rich architecture and history of the building was recognized in 1960 when the State House was designated as a National Historic Landmark.The Maryland General Assembly convenes in the State House for ninety days, from January to April. The governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the House of Delegates and president of the Senate all have their offices in the historic building. The State House is administered by the State House Trust which oversees the interpretation of the building as well as its care and maintenance. The Trust also has responsibility for the use of the public areas of the State House. Visiting the State HouseThe State House is open to the public every day from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., except Christmas and New Years Day. To help make your visit to the Maryland State House more enjoyable, and to provide you with an understanding of its rich and historic past, self-guided tour information is available by the Archives Room on the first floor. Please note that security measures are in place at the State House and other state buildings in the Annapolis complex. Picture IDs are required for entrance and metal detectors are in operation.

The Maryland State House Guided Tours

This 786-acre Maryland State Park is located along the northwestern shore of the majestic Chesapeake Bay. The park’s beaches and picnic areas are well known for their breathtaking scenic water views that overlook one of Maryland’s true treasures, the Chesapeake Bay. The park was first opened on June 25, 1952 and has provided its guests with various activities and services ever since. The park also offers a marina store and boat rentals. Sandy Point State Park offers accessible food and beverage concession, fishing, picnic areas, shelters, bathhouses and playgrounds.&nbsp;

Laura & Jay

Laura & Jay

Travel

The Graduate Hotel

Hilton Garden Inn Annapolis Downtown

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

Towne Transport