There are so many things to love about Kaitlyn McClure and Matthew (Matt) Raymond’s wedding. To start, they kept it local, planning their wedding for the DC neighborhood where they’d live for years. Then they filled it with tons of only-in-DC details to create a fun presidential theme that was captured on camera in the photos below by Tell Chronicles.
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Kaitlyn and Matt first met at a party in college their junior year, and the attraction was instant. Their first date fell on Easter Sunday, so their options for a place to eat out together were limited if they didn’t want to dine on Easter brunch. They ended up heading to Olive Garden, which they had mostly to themselves for the duration of the date.
They’d dated nearly nine years through the rest of undergrad and as Matt completed graduate school when they took a trip to visit Matt’s family in Connecticut. On a surprisingly warm December day, Matt took Kaitlyn to a park by the ocean for a picnic lunch. After lunch, Matt started to propose, though he was so nervous that Kaitlyn had to remind him to get down on bended knee.
For their May wedding, they planned it in their neighborhood, Capitol Hill, which they’d called home for years. In their own unique twist, their grandmothers acted as flower girls for the ceremony. “We are so fortunate to have all of our grandmothers with us, and wanted to incorporate them into the wedding weekend as much as possible,” says Kaitlyn. “They completely stole the show and had an absolute blast! It took them about ten minutes to get up the aisle, they were stopping to chat with everyone as they distributed flowers.” When they posed for portraits near Lincoln Memorial, they bumped into “Shark Tank” investor Robert Herjavec, who paused to offer his congratulations.
Their reception was filled with presidential-themed touches, including campaign button escort cards, presidents’ portraits as table numbers, and at the end of the night, a surprise visit from the Nationals’ Racing Presidents. The night was topped off with an array of sweets, including mini ice cream cones, donuts, milkshake shooters, cake pops, and macaroons. When the festivities finally came to a close, the bride and groom departed with plans to honeymoon in Greece in May of the following year.
VENDORS
Ceremony Venue: Saint Peter’s on Capitol Hill | Venue: North Hall at Eastern Market | Photographer: Tell Chronicles | Event Planning and Design: Kelley Cannon Events | Bride’s Gown: Monique Lhuillier, Carine’s Bridal Atelier | Groom’s Attire: Alfani, Macy’s | Hair Dresser: Crystal Dorsey, Amie Decker Beauty | Makeup Artist: JoAnna Popp, Amie Decker Beauty | Florist: Highway to Hill | Caterers: Occasions Caterers | Transportation: Chariots for Hire | Music/Entertainment: Bachelor Boys Band | Invitations: Mallory Hope Design | Bride’s Rings: Tiny Jewel Box | Lighting/Draping: Fabrication Events | Welcome Bags: 4AllPromos and Dog Tag Bakery
Need to hire great entertainment for your big day? Find the area’s best musicians and entertainers in our vendor guide.
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.
