We’ve seen many a nautically-themed wedding, but never one like this. When Grace Rich married Navy man Matthew Murphy, their Navy-themed wedding took things to a whole new level when the pair posed for wedding pictures in the Navy boathouse and out on the field of the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (where they’d watched many an Army-Navy game together). Images below courtesy of William Petruzzo and Felipe Sanchez of William Petruzzo Photography.
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Grace, a physical therapist, and Matthew, a Naval Aviator, met through mutual friends. They immediately it it off, and went out on their first date a week later. They started out at a seafood spot, but were having such a good time that they decided to catch a minor league baseball game afterwards. Grace fell for Matthew right away, “I am going to marry this guy,” she thought. Matthew was a bit slower to jump into the relationship, says Grace: “It took two tries before I got him to be my boyfriend!”
Nevertheless, Matthew found Grace’s hilarious sense of humor and quick wit too much to resist. After nearly three years of dating, Matthew proposed. He was deployed at the time, and staying abroad through the holidays. However, he managed to get a week off to meet Grace in Italy. Wandering the streets of Rome on Christmas Day, Matthew got down on one knee in front of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. The newly-engaged couple then spent the next week on a whirlwind tour of Rome, Naples, and Florence.
Grace and Matthew decided on a stress-free, easygoing wedding, but wanted to pay proper homage to Matthew’s Navy career. The couple wed at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Because Matt had competed in crew for the Naval Academy, they snuck down to the boathouse for a series of gorgeous photos surrounding by boats and oars. Afterwards, it was back to the stadium for some shots out on the field. The couple hasn’t pinned down their honeymoon yet, but plans are to head somewhere warm.
VENDORS
Photographer: William Petruzzo Photography | Event Coordinator: Cheryl Haendel | Venue: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium | Florist: The Gateway Florist | Caterers: Martin’s/Bo Brooks at The Academy | Cake: Donut Shack and Fiona’s by The Cake Faerie | Bride’s Hair & Makeup: Blush | Bride’s Gown: From The Sample Room NY | Music/Entertainment: C&J Entertainment
Hayley is an Assistant Editor at Washingtonian Bride & Groom and Washingtonian. Previously she was the the Style Editor at The Local Palate, a Southern food culture magazine based out of Charleston, South Carolina. She currently resides in Bloomingdale. You can follow her on instagram @wandertaste.
