Eric Leconte knew he liked Bethany Stangl before he ever met her. After hearing about her from a mutual friend before a birthday party at Dave & Buster’s, he thought she sounded like a catch, and at the party the two hit it off during a game of skeeball. “By the end of the night we were holding hands, and I knew I never wanted to let go,” says Bethany, a postdoctoral research fellow at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Four years later—the day before Bethany’s 30th birthday—Eric, an assistant property manager at Cassidy Turley, took Bethany along the beach during a trip to Bermuda, where a cliff overlooked the sea. As they were sharing a bottle of wine and watching the waves, Eric proposed.
Two and a half years later, they got married at DC’s Meridian House, in a vintage-inspired celebration that drew from Eric’s French background and the couple’s favorite vacation spot, New Orleans.
Details:
Photographer: Kurstin Roe
Videographer: Bowen Films
Venue: Meridian House
Event Coordinator: Vicky Choy, Event Accomplished
Bride’s Gown: Monique Lhuillier, the Collection Bridal
Hair: Carola Myers
Makeup: Carola Myers
Groom’s Tux: Hugo Boss, Nordstrom
Caterer: Occasions Caterers
Cake: Maggie Austin
Cake Flavors: White velvet cake with raspberry and vanilla-lime buttercream, and chocolate cake with bittersweet espresso buttercream
Cocktail: Sgroppino, Patience of a Saint, and mint julep
Florist: Petals Edge Floral Design
Flowers: The bride’s bouquet included white roses, mini calla lilies, cymbidium orchids, and gardenias accented with peach Juliet garden roses, Cafe au Lait dahlias, and Queen Anne’s lace
Music/Entertainment: Veronneau (jazz ensemble) for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and dinner, and DJ Stereo Faith from DJ D-MAC & Associates.
First Dance Song: “Crazy Love” by Van Morrison
Invitations: Minted
Bride’s Favorite Detail: “A live painter to capture our first dance.”
Groom’s Favorite Detail: The poker-themed groom’s cake
Biggest Surprise: “Bethany’s grandmother, Baba, who was originally too sick to travel, made a surprise trip down for the wedding. Her whole family was in on the secret. When Bethany and Eric arrived for their rehearsal dinner, she was there waiting for them.”
Decor Details: The paper products featured a black scroll design inspired by the iron railings of New Orleans, and the dinner tables were marked with names of New Orleans landmarks.
Theme: Romantic vintage inspired by New Orleans and France
Four Words That Describe the Wedding: Romantic, whimsical, intimate, elegant
Honeymoon Spot: Greece and Spain
Where They Currently Live: Washington, DC
