Weddings

Real Wedding: Kimberly and Alfred

This Virginia couple tied the knot in a traditional ceremony with a modern twist.

Kimberly Finch and Alfred Ford Jr. during their wedding on June 16, 2012. All photographs by Anne Lord Photography

It wasn’t love at first sight for Kimberly Finch and Alfred Ford Jr. when the two met ten years ago as college students—the bride at Florida State University and the groom at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University—but Al did jokingly tell Kim he was going to marry her one day. When years later, the two ran into each other at a DC nightclub, the groom decided he might like to keep his promise.

After a three-year romance, Al proposed while in the Bahamas during an all-expenses-paid trip he won at work. “I didn’t think much of going away with him on vacation. We had just returned from Jamaica for my birthday, so I figured since he hadn’t proposed there, he probably wasn’t going to propose in the Bahamas either, especially since this was a work trip,” says Kim. It also didn’t raise any red flags for her when Al’s parents flew down to meet them—the groom’s dad is a pilot and frequently takes impromptu trips. But then during dinner at a local steakhouse, Al started talking about the “meaning of love.”

“I remember thinking, ‘I wish he’d hurry up so we could order dessert’—but then he got on his knee and asked me to marry him” says Kim. The jet-setting couple tied the knot in an elegant wedding at the Alfred Street Baptist Church on June 16, 2012.

Details

Photographer: Anne Lord Photography

Wedding Ceremony Venue: Alfred Street Baptist Church

Wedding Reception Venue/Caterer: Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center

Event Coordinator: Howerton+Wooten Events

Bride’s Gown: Pnina Tornai, Kleinfeld Bridal 

Groom’s Tux: Custom Kenny Kas Flanagan design made by the House of Kas in Georgetown

Hair: Jacinda of Bridal Artistry

Makeup: Alina Karaman

Bride’s Favorite Wedding Detail: “The wedding ceremony. It was the only part of the day when I could totally focus on Al and not think about greeting our 300 guests!”

Groom’s Favorite Wedding Detail: “Seeing Kim walking down the aisle for the first time.”

Cake: SugarBakers Cakes

Wedding Cake Flavors: Annapolis chocolate, carrot, and red velvet

Wedding Cocktails: The bride’s signature drink was a rum cocktail (rum, raspberry, club soda, and sweet and sour mix, with a raspberry garnish); the groom’s was a bourbon cocktail (bourbon, Apple Pucker, sour mix, passionfruit, and club soda, garnished with a cherry).

Florist: Janet Flowers

Wedding Flowers: White phalaenopsis orchids, peonies, Picasso lilies, fuchsia phalaenopsis orchids, purple clematis orchids, and green cymbidium orchids

Videographer: Blue Sky Films 

Music/Entertainment: Palladio Strings for the ceremony and WKYS’ DJ Gemini for the reception

Invitations: Paperzest

Wedding Favors: Truffles by Danielle’s Desserts in customized boxes

Seating Chart: Lepenn Designs

First Dance Song: “Superman” by Robin Thicke

Wedding Theme: Traditional wedding with very modern touches

Four Words That Describe the Wedding: Traditional, family-oriented, romantic, and fun!

Honeymoon Spot: Dubai and the Maldives

Where They Currently Live: Alexandria, Virginia