Slideshow: Margo and Kyle's wedding

Occupations She’s a graduate student; he’s an investment banker Hometowns She’s from Washington, DC; he’s from Rockville How They Met At Holy Cross College First Date The movie Runaway Jury Favorite Restaurant Kefi in Manhattan Where They Got Engaged On the beach in East Hampton, NY Wedding Cocktail Elderberry Royale Wedding Flowers Baby’s breath, amaryllis, cymbidium orchids, and brunia berries Favorite Wedding Detail Mini milkshakes passed around at the end of the night Wedding Cake Chocolate with raspberry filling Biggest Surprise of the Wedding It didn’t snow! First Dance “Just What I Needed” by the Cars Wedding Theme Classic elegance and retro glamour Four Words That Describe the Wedding Timeless, personal, magical, festive Honeymoon Spot St. Lucia Where They Currently Live New York City

This wedding first appeared in the Winter/Spring 2012 issue of Washingtonian Bride & Groom. Click here to reserve your free copy.

The happy newlyweds. All photographs by The Observatory

Sara and Dustin first met while playing on the same kickball team. The couple eventually moved to Woodley Park, and Dustin proposed while they were taking their black Lab for a walk on a seemingly typical Saturday morning.

“It was perfect because it was meaningful, intimate, and surprising,” says Sara. “I was not expecting it when I was in pajamas and without makeup!”

The couple married at St. John’s Church in Lafayette Square, with a reception at the W hotel.

“We chose St. John’s and the W because we were going for a wedding that was traditional with a modern twist,” explains Sara. “St. John’s is a historical DC spot, and we love the traditional elements of the ceremony. The W was perfect because it is in the old Hotel Washington, but we love its modern design.”

The couple chose a bold color scheme of their favorite hues: blue (Dustin’s) and yellow (Sara’s).

Despite the DIY fails and the last-minute menu adjustments, Jenn and Brandon are too happy to care. Photograph by Jenn Link Photography

Not only do we love the photos by Jenn Link Photography from this Carnegie Institution for Science wedding, but we also appreciate the bride’s honesty when discussing planning her nuptials. Things don’t always run smoothly, but in the end, it’s worth it.
—A Practical Wedding

A romantic moment. All photographs by Petruzzo Photography

Ashley and Andrew started dating as high school in Millersville, Maryland; their first date was a trip to Wendy’s. Andrew proposed soon after the couple bought their first home together in Silver Spring.

They married on October 16, 2011, at Stone Manor Country Club in Middletown, Maryland.

“We wanted a simple yet beautiful outdoor ceremony fall, focused on family, good food, and dancing,” says Ashley.

The wedding theme revolved around the letter “A” (the first letter of both of their first names). Flower petals in the shape of the letter adorned the ceremony aisle, and A-shaped props made their photobooth more personal. Family and friends, including the bride’s sister, sister-in-law, and aunt, all assisted with the decor and planning.

Jean and Todd at a high school dance (left), and at their wedding over 40 years later (right). Photographs courtesy of Mike Willson (high school), and Sabine Scherer Photography (wedding)

Jean, an artist, and Todd, an air traffic controller, first dated as sophomores at Yorktown High School in Arlington. They attended a dance together (see photo above, left), but then went their separate ways.

More than 40 years later, the pair reunited at their 40th high school reunion, and began dating once again. Their first date was dinner at Eventide in Arlington, and for their second date, Todd took Jean, an artist and art lover, to the Phillips Collection to see Renoir’s painting “Luncheon of the Boating Party.”

“After we had been dating for four months, we just knew we had something we hadn’t felt before and that we wanted to be together for the rest of our lives,” says Jean.

Todd proposed while he and Jean were visiting New York City. They married on August 22, 2010, at the American Horticultural Society at River Farm in Alexandria.

The vibe was “a romantic garden party Sunday luncheon,” says Jean. “We wanted family-style seating, to better bring our families and friends together. We tried to maximize the impact of having our wedding at the American Horticultural Society by placing a lot of focus on the florals and serving drinks and food that ‘came fresh from the garden.’”

Talk about a grand entrance. All photographs by Studio Nine Photography

Indian weddings never fail to blow us away: the rich colors, the lively dancing, the gorgeous ensembles, and, of course, the strong possibility that there will be a horse or an elephant present. This DC wedding, photographed by Studio Nine Photography and planned by Sonal J. Shah, looked absoultely amazing—and yes, the groom rode in on a majestic elephant.
—Maharani Weddings

Sherri and Mike first met online, and had their first date at Il Fornaio Restaurant in Reston on a snowy winter evening.

“We ended up being the last ones to leave the restaurant despite the few inches of snow on the ground by the time we left,” says Sherri.

Mike proposed the night before Thanksgiving 2010 in front of the Old Town Alexandria Christmas tree.

The couple married on January 29, 2011, at the American Horticultural Society at River Farm in Alexandria, before 22 guests.

“I pictured a winter atmosphere that was elegant, personal, and romantic,” says Sherri. “We wanted to keep our wedding small, with only our closest family members, the people who mean the most to us. I was really hoping there would be snow on the ground, and we got lucky—it snowed just a few days before our wedding!”