A sample of Jolly Edition's designs. All photographs courtesy of Tom Hart and Laura Shema.
What better way to announce the celebration of your relationship than with stationery as unique as your love story? By way of England and New York, Tom Hart and Laura Shema—the husband-and-wife team that is Jolly Edition—have recently settled in Baltimore, which is great news for local couples seeking custom invitations, RSVP cards, and save-the-date announcements. All of Jolly Edition’s work is entirely sketched and painted by hand, allowing for truly personalized, beautiful wedding stationery.
Whitney and Brian on their wedding day on May 4, 2013, in Boones Mill, Va. All photographs by Carly Arnwine Photography.
Most girls have a special bond with their fathers, but in Whitney Camper’s case, her father, Danny Camper, is her best friend. For that reason, during her May wedding to Brian Myer, a senior consultant at Booz Allen whom she met two years prior through work, Whitney tried to include her father as much as she possibly could. “From the tears we both shed seeing each other for the first time on the big day, to dancing on stage with the band together, the wedding captured every facet of the bond we share in its entirety,” says Whitney, who works as a consultant with Accenture.
The entire nuptial process was filled with moments that were meaningful for both father and daughter, from the day Whitney revealed she was engaged to Brian, to the first time Danny saw Whitney’s wedding dress. “With tears in his eyes, he struggled to get out the words, ‘That’s my little girl,’ ” says Whitney. Naturally, their father-daughter dance was to the song “My Girl.” And, to reassure her father that their bond would never break, Whitney wrote him a special letter that she gave to him as she left for her honeymoon. “I told him that although I was marrying the man of my dreams that day, I would always be his little girl.”
Justine sharing a special moment with her father John at her wedding at the Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyard. Photograph by Rothwell Photography.
Nothing says “Daddy’s Little Girl” quite like the father-daughter wedding dance and the giving away of the bride, which is often done by dear old Dad. In honor of Father’s Day this Sunday, we’ve put together a gallery of our favorite moments (get your tissues ready!) and sentimental snapshots.
Bride Jessica steals a kiss from the groom Hunter before their wedding reception at the Rosemont Manor. All photographs by Vicki Grafton Photography.
It wasn’t the seating chart or the first dance on the mind of Jessica Conlon on her October wedding day to Hunter Morrow. “The biggest surprise—or more like relief—was that we dodged Hurricane Sandy! Our wedding took place the night before the big storm hit,” says Jessica, a sixth-grade teacher.
Jessica met the Hunter, a network security engineer, when they were introduced by Hunter’s cousin. They hit it off right away, and had their first date watching football at Jessica’s house. “He could see I had exhausted my football vocabulary by halftime, so he suggested we take a walk downtown to get some tea,” says Jessica.
After a New Year’s Eve proposal, the couple choose the rustic setting of the historic Rosemont Manor for their fall wedding. The bride wore an elegant strapless dress paired with a lace cover-up and a birdcage veil. The reception overflowed with DIY details, from the framed table numbers to the paper flowers used as wall decor. A dessert bar and a cigar and cordial bar added his-and-hers touches to the reception. Glittering lights shone overhead as the couple stepped out on the floor for their first dance to OneRepublic’s “All This Time.”
If a turquoise box from Tiffany & Co. doesn’t get your heart racing, ditch the idea of a classic solitaire and opt for an unconventional engagement ring. From colored stones to unconventional cuts, we’ve found 20 picks that are anything but ordinary. Check out the slideshow for our top picks.
Nationals fans are accustomed to seeing Ryan Zimmerman in a gritty mode—suited up for playing third base, and sliding into home after hitting a run. But on the cover of the new issue of Washington Bride & Groom it’s a completely different look—Zimmerman as the marrying man, with exclusive photos from his marriage to Heather Downen in January.
Some romantic morsels:
How they met: Through mutual friends
Where they got engaged: The Lincoln Memorial
Where they got married: The Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium
Honeymoon: Cape Town, South Africa, and Mozambique
Romantic quotes:
Heather: “The longer I was with Ryan, the more I realized how different and wonderful he was.”
Ryan: “From the moment we were together, everything was so easy, natural, and fun. I could tell quickly that Heather was special.”
The latest issue of Bride & Groom is on newsstands Friday, June 14.
When it comes to the should we/shouldn’t we question of getting premarital counseling, a growing number of couples are choosing to sit down with a psychotherapist to discuss what “for better and for worse” really entails. “It is an opportunity for the couple to think together about questions they may or may not have thought about, as well as an opportunity to hear answers they may not have heard before. Even the most communicative couples end up learning something new about their fiancé[e],” says Glennon Gordon, a relationship expert and consultant at the Learning Space who works with couples to prepare them for marriage and the challenges that can sometimes arise after the honeymoon is over.
Gordon offers three one-hour sessions with soon-to-be newlyweds, wherein she teaches how to become effective communicators and avoid common pitfalls of relationships; she also touches on past relationships to help troubleshoot problems that might come down the road. “We talk about all the ‘hot topics’ in relationships, such as sex, finances, faith, parenting, and roles in and around the house. These topics become hot because people don’t learn how to talk about them from the beginning. Over time, the conflict or the distance that these issues create becomes increasingly difficult to undo,” she says.
Here, Gordon shares her tips for surviving the stresses of wedding planning and being the best partner you can possibly be.
Urban Chic storefront. Photograph by Jacqui dePas.
From jewels and gems to dresses for your bridal party, here is a hand-picked selection of fabulous deals, just in time to save your summer bridal budget. Unless otherwise noted, please mention Washingtonian Bride & Groom at the time of purchase or reservation between June 7 and June 30 to receive the deal.
Bridal Style
Fashion-forward designer destination Urban Chic is known for its frocks by names such as Shoshanna, Diane Von Furstenberg, and more. But stylish brides-to-be know that the store, which has locations in Georgetown and Baltimore’s trendy Harbor East, also offers some of the best bridesmaid, bridal event, and honeymoon wear in the area. Mention Washingtonian Bride & Groom at checkout to take $50 off your $150 purchase or $100 off your $400 purchase. This offer is valid on full-price items only and may not be combined with other promotions. 1626 Wisconsin Ave., NW, 202-338-5398; 801 Aliceanna St., Baltimore, 410-685-1601.
Elizabeth Cotter and Timothy Kirby on their wedding day on September 29, 2012. All photographs courtesy of Lisa Boggs Photography.
Elizabeth Cotter, a psychologist, and Timothy Kirby, a financial regulatory attorney, chose Washington’s elegant Hotel Monaco for their fall wedding. The couple, who first met as undergraduates at Michigan State University, found the venue perfect “because of its gorgeous architecture and quintessential DC vibe.” At the evening reception, tall arrangements of white flowers and floating candles served as centerpieces, and tasteful pink-hued lighting created a romantic yet modern backdrop. After dinner, catered by Hotel Monaco’s Poste restaurant, and nibbles from the picture-perfect three-tier wedding cake, a night of dancing ensued.
Margoni will be hosting a trunk show featuring their entire collection at I.Gorman Jewelers on June 14 and 15. Photograph courtesy of I.Gorman Jewelers.
June 6: Eat, Drink, and Be Married Event at Pompanoosuc Mills
Join Alexandria’s Pompanoosuc Mills for an evening of bridal fun. A one-stop shop for unfussy brides, this event will feature a local florist, dress boutiques, caterers, a photographer, a dance instructor, a beauty/day spa, a wedding coordinator, a cake maker, and a deejay. To attend and receive a complimentary gift bag, RSVP to Alexandria@pompy.com with the subject line “Eat, Drink & Be Married,” or call 571-321-7495.
June 6 Through 8: Badgley Mischka Trunk Show at Carine’s Bridal Atelier
Shop elegant and sophisticated wedding styles from the ever-popular Badgley Mischka at Carine’s Bridal Atelier. After you find the dress of your dreams, refine your big day’s look with the brand’s comfortable wedding shoes and statement-making jewelry. Call 202-965-4696 to attend the appointment-only event.
June 7 and 8: Anna Maier Trunk Show at Hitched Salon
Brides love Anna Maier’s stunning designs and expertly tailored gowns. See the ethereal, feminine gowns for yourself when you attend the designer’s trunk show at Hitched Salon. The show is by appointment only; call 202-333-6162 to reserve your space.
