Amber and John Dumler had been friends for a while before they started dating in March 2001, their senior year in high school.

“John was very shy in high school, so he had a mutual friend of ours tell me, ‘John should be your Valentine date,’” Amber remembered. “After that point, we started talking on the phone and going on dates.”

Fast forward to August 2006. Amber, a web designer, and John, a sheet metal apprentice, were spending the weekend in Virginia Beach. One night, they walked along the water. John bent down to write in the sand.

“He completely surprised me by proposing to me on the beach,” Amber said. “After dinner one night, we walked the beach, and he stopped and drew a heart in the sand with ‘Will you marry me?’ written inside.”

“I, of course, said ‘Yes!’”

On March 29, 2008, the high school sweethearts married at Hollywood United Methodist Church in Hollywood. Amber described the day as “beautiful and elegant.”

“I wanted everyone to enjoy our wedding day and have a wonderful time,” she said. “I envisioned myself in a white, traditional wedding gown, holding a bouquet of stargazer lilies.”

Amber’s dream came true. For her wedding day, she wore a white, strapless, A-line gown adorned with satin draping, pink metallic embroidery and a chapel-length train from David‘s Bridal. Her bouquet was a dome of white and pink roses, stargazer lilies and stephanotis designed by Classically Modern Designs of Waldorf.

Her eight bridesmaids wore strapless dust rose gowns with small beading on the side, ruching and an overlay skirt. The maid of honor wore the same dress in maroon. The gowns all came from David’s Bridal. Amber’s attendants carried bouquets of pink and white roses. The ladies’ makeup was done by Monique Melton of Favia’s Artistry, and their hair was done by Jessica and Tammy Hutchinson.

Nine groomsmen, two flower girls and a ring bearer rounded out the wedding party.

Pink and silver were a recurring theme throughout the day. “I didn’t have a specific theme, but I wanted an elegant wedding,” Amber said. “The colors included pink and silver. All the favors and decorations incorporated at least one of these colors.”

The centerpieces, created by Amber, her mother and her sister, were glass bowls filled with marbles and a twinkling tealight candle. The bowls were set on mirrors and surrounded by scattered pink roses. Decorations by Something Special by Tracy Burch included columns wrapped in pink tulle placed behind the head table and the cake table, and pink tulle and lights on the head table.

For favors, Amber and John gave their 200 guests little silver baskets decorated with pink flowers. Inside were two truffles wrapped in pink or white tulle. They also gave silver-trimmed boxes filled with white chocolate roses and pink white chocolate triangles that said “Thank you.” Amber, her mother and sister worked together to create the favors.

Amber and John celebrated their reception at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department, driven there by Robert Hall Gold Star Limousine. Their meal, catered by the department’s Ladies Auxiliary, included chicken cordon bleu, roast beef, potatoes, green beans, salad and rolls.

A three-tier cake designed by Mary Young followed the meal. It was decorated with white icing and small white dots. Stargazer lilies and rose were laid between each tier, and there was a fountain underneath the cake. The tiers were flavored yellow, chocolate, strawberry and lemon.

Guests partied to country and classic rock by Bayside Sounds.

The Mechanicsville couple honeymooned in Cape Coral, FL.

Amber said SoMdWeddings.com helped her immensely in her wedding planning. “I used the vendor directory to contact various vendors, and I also used the website to find out where the local bridal shows were held,” she said.

Keeping everything in perspective is essential to wedding planning, she said. “Before you begin planning, create a budget so you know how much money you have to work with,” Amber said. “Also, use an organizer and schedule to keep track of all the main events and details.”

“Remember it is your wedding day, and have fun!”