It was love at first sight for Marlysa Lohr and John Connolly when the two spotted each other across the room at Clarendon Ballroom. “Both of us couldn’t keep our eyes off each other, although Marlysa was the first to make a move,” says John, an internet marketing entrepreneur. A first date at Centreville’s Sweetwater Tavern led to the discovery of mutual interests, not the least of which includes their love of a good pizza.
When it came to the proposal, Marlysa came home from work one day to find John down on one knee. “He was dressed to the nines, rose petals permeating the room, and with a gorgeous ring in his hand,” says Marlysa, a communications specialist. A “Southern vintage” themed wedding with an outdoor ceremony followed on September 7, 2012, at the über-romantic Meridian House. Not much has changed since the couple’s first fateful meeting— the bride and the groom still only had eyes for each other.
Details:
Photographer: Jennifer Domenick, Love Life Images
Venue: Meridian House
Officiant: John Park
Event Coordinator: Jessica, Simply Chic Events
Bride’s Gown: Victoria Nicole
Groom’s Tux: Calvin Klein
Hair: Bridal Hair by Remona
Makeup: Liz Wegrzyn, Faces by Liz
Caterer: Well-Dunn Catering
Signature Cocktail: Rosemary lemonade and peach iced tea
Cake Flavors: Tupelo honey and almond cake with white chocolate ganache
Cake: Kendall Barrett, Kendall’s Cakes
Florist: Philippa Tarrant Floral Design
Flowers: Lisianthuses, hydrangeas, tulips, stock, and sweet peas
Music/Entertainment: Dan Goldman, Bialek’s Music
First Dance Song: “Gravity” by Coldplay
Invitations: Minted
Lighting: SRO
Favorite Wedding Detail: Hanging mirror with “Forever Starts Today” inscription
Biggest Surprise of the Wedding: “Our first look. Both of us didn’t think it was possible to love someone else as much as we did in that very emotional moment. It was as if time had stopped around us and nothing mattered as much as sharing our joy and bliss for preparing to take the next step in our journey together.”
Wedding Theme: Southern vintage
Four Words That Describe the Wedding: There is only one word we can think of: serendipity
Honeymoon Spot: Bedford Springs, PA, and Atlantic City, NJ
Where They Currently Live: Woodbridge, VA