Washington Real Weddings: Adrienne and Walter

Herndon couple Adrienne and Walter first met while working for the same company—she was based in New York, he in DC. He proposed during an evening at home, and they then enjoyed dinner at Volt in Frederick.

They married on November 5, 2011, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.

“We fell in love with the Pavilion Room,” says Adrienne. “We wanted our wedding to be classic, with some cultural inspirations.”

During the 5 PM ceremony, the bride carried a hand-tied rose bouquet.

“The most memorable moment of the day for me was walking into the ceremony and seeing all of our friends and family from all over the world,” says Adrienne. “It really meant so much that people took the time to come celebrate with us.”

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a cocktail hour featuring two signature drinks: Adrienne’s Blushing Bride and Walter’s Bora Bora Blue. Hors d’oeuvres included beef empanadas, mini crab cakes, and salmon tartare.

Escort cards featured the Chinese double happiness symbol, a nod to Adrienne’s heritage. Reception centerpieces were arrangements of hydrangeas, snapdragons, bells of Ireland, roses, berries, and curly willow branches.

The couple and their 110 guests dined on butternut squash soup with diver scallops and Asian beef tenderloin with crab cakes. Wedding cake and a salted caramel tart were served for dessert. Bubble tea was also on offer.

Adrienne and Walter performed their first dance to “I Won’t Let Go” by Rascal Flatts, and guests danced to Top 40, heavy metal, and country tunes throughout the evening. Another highlight of the evening: a performance by Chinese lion dancers.

“We booked them sight unseen, and they ended up being so much better than we ever expected,” says Adrienne. “Our guests loved them!”