Weddings

Real Wedding: Debbee and Adam

It was love at first sight on St. Patrick's Day for this couple, who embarked on a whirlwind romance that led to the altar.

Debbee and Adam share a kiss at the end of their wedding celebration. All photographs by Rachael Foster Photo.

Adam and Debbee didn’t need long to know they were meant for one another. They got engaged five months after meeting and planned their romantic winter wedding in another four. The couple met at a St. Patrick’s Day party, through a mutual friend, and when an illness landed Adam in the hospital just two days later, all he could think about was Debbee. He called and asked her out, straight from his hospital bed. They both knew they had met their soulmate.

“I always heard when you meet the right man, you’ll know immediately. It’s true, and when we found each other, we didn’t want to wait,” says Debbee. A native Texan who spent her childhood dreaming about a summer ceremony, Debbee scratched those plans and went with a season she didn’t have to wait quite as long to arrive: winter. “The idea to hire a wedding coordinator never really crossed my mind. I love planning events, and I prefer to do things myself,” she says. It helps that as a press secretary on Capitol Hill, she is accustomed to coordinating events and thriving under tight deadlines. For Adam, who is studying for his MBA at Georgetown University, the decision to wed quickly happened just as naturally as it did for Debbee—he secretly had asked her father for her hand in marriage a couple of months into dating. (Her father said yes, of course.)

The Tuscan-inspired nuptials took place on January 5 at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, with a reception at Hotel Monaco in Old Town Alexandria. Bridesmaids in matching polka-dotted dresses surrounded the bride, who wore an elegant lace gown with a ballet-length veil. Floral arrangements of hydrangeas, peonies, Sahara roses, and viburnums added to the romance of the day.

In theme with the vineyards of the Italian countryside, the couple used empty wine bottles they saved during their engagement period as table numbers, and corks as place cards. “We also used wine bottles instead of a guest book, and had our guests write advice for one, five, ten, and 20 years of marriage. On each of these anniversaries, we will open the bottle and read their words of wisdom,” says Debbee. We have a feeling they should have left a bottle for their golden anniversary, as well.

DETAILS

Photographer: Rachael Foster

Favorite Wedding Detail: The groom’s Declaration of Independence cake. “As political junkies living in DC and with a new last name like Hancock, we had to incorporate our love for America and freedom!”

Wedding Cake Flavors: Vanilla with strawberry filling

First Dance Song: “Easy,” by Lionel Richie

Biggest Surprise of the Wedding: The wedding party’s impromptu participation in the couple’s first dance

Bride’s Gown: Allure Romance from Ellie’s Bridal

Groom’s Tux: Wilke-Rodriguez

Hair: Gina of Serenity Salon & Spa

Makeup: John Saldana of JSal Artistry

Caterers/Venue: Hotel Monaco Alexandria

Cake: Hollin Hall Bakery

Florist: Chris Johnson at the Evergreen Floral Group

Music/Entertainment: DJ Bob Artman of Artman Disc Jockeys

Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas

Honeymoon Spot: Curaçao

Where They Currently Live: Arlington, Virginia