A Cherry-Blossom-Filled Wedding at the National Museum of American History

Alessandra, from Potomac, and Siwol, from Queens, met through a mutual friend in DC. Five years after their first date—drinks at Churchkey followed by a Rangers/Caps game, and a nightcap at Barcelona Wine Bar—Siwol proposed on the beach on vacation with both of their families. 

For their April wedding, the couple exchanged vows in front of 160 guests at the Holy Rosary Church, then had a Korean paebaek ceremony and reception at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. The theme: springtime florals, complete with Cherry Blossoms. The menu was a “real focus,” the couple said—from the Korean braised short ribs, to the late-night grilled cheeses served on the dance floor—and the venue, they say, was chosen for the couple’s shared love of history, and as a nod to their union—“an example of how diverse peoples have come together to create communities that define and add to the fabric of our nation.” Alessandra’s favorite detail was the elaborate dessert table; Siwol’s was the paebaek ceremony on the roof, with a backdrop of the Washington Monument at sunset. Check out photos of their Cherry Blossom-filled wedding at the National Museum of American History below.

The Details

Amy Moeller

Fashion & Weddings Editor

Amy leads Washingtonian Weddings and writes Style Setters for Washingtonian. Prior to joining Washingtonian in March 2016, she was the editor of Capitol File magazine in DC and before that, editor of What’s Up? Weddings in Annapolis.