Directing a Steve Madden fashion show at Tysons Corner mall as a sophomore in high school, Sara Familie seemed much older than her years. That’s why Steven Jagdeo, a friend of a friend who was filling in for one of the male models, had no qualms about flirting with her. He was a freshman in college, but that didn’t stop him from pulling a nervous performer stunt to get Sara’s attention. “I got to talking to him to try to calm his nerves, but little did I know that was just his ploy!” says Sara. “He walked down the runway and did a funny pose at the end of the aisle, winning over the crowd.”
After successfully convincing Sara to give him her number, Steven showed up at her house in a blacked-out SUV to take her to the movies. Her parents were less than thrilled, but Sara was awed by the college bad boy who was willing to go out with a high schooler. Their plans to go to the movies changed to a barbecue at a friends house, but Sara didn’t mind—when she got home from the date she told her mother that she’d “laughed so much my jaw hurt.”
Eight years later, Steven and Sara planned a picnic at Great Falls Park to enjoy the beautiful September weather. Suspecting nothing, Sara began spreading out the picnic blanket, then turned to find Steven down on one knee. “What he said is beyond me, because I immediately fell into shock that after eight wonderful years, he was finally on one knee, popping the question that I never knew would mean so much to me,” she says.
The pair celebrated their longtime romance at Hotel Monaco on September 6, 2014. They brought their theme of “Great Gatsby meets Middle East” to life through gold-painted toy cars for place cards, hand-embroidered table tents, Evil Eye charms as favors, and a special performance by Silk Road Dance Company. Guests enjoyed the beautiful four-tier cake with gold accents, and Sara and Steven swayed to a “Latch” cover by Daniela Andrade, but at the end of the festivities, Steven’s favorite memory was simply “how beautiful my wife looked.”
Venue: Paris Ballroom, Hotel Monaco
Photographer: Jennifer Domenick, Love Life Images
Bride’s Gown: Romona Keveza, Hannelore’s
Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Bride’s Hairpiece: Sarah Wiener, Trousseau Ltd.
Groom’s Tux: Hugo Boss
Hair: Julie Flury, Jewel Hair Design
Makeup: Dawn Newsome, Dawn Newsome Makeup Artist
Cake: Cake Panache
Florist: B Floral and Event Design
Caterer: Poste Moderne Brasserie
Videographer: Adora
Music/Entertainment: Exclusively Entertainment
Invitations: Dandelion Patch
Dancers: Silk Road Dance Company
Linens/Chairs/Flatware Rental: DC Rental
Lighting: Exclusively Entertainment
Caroline Cunningham joined Washingtonian in 2014 after moving to the DC area from Cincinnati, where she interned and freelanced for Cincinnati Magazine and worked in content marketing. She currently resides in College Park.
