Anyone who has been to DC in the springtime knows how amazing the cherry blossoms are. Marin and Daniel’s cherry blossom chuppah is absolutely breathtaking and the perfect design for a wedding over looking the White House.
Marin & Daniel | April 25, 2010 The Hay-Adams Hotel, Washington, DC
How he proposed
Daniel proposed to me on a park bench in Jackson Square while my family was visiting New Orleans for my cousin’s wedding weekend a year ago. My family was waiting at the corner restaurant to celebrate with a champagne lunch, which made it that much more special.
The ceremony
We had a brief but intimate ceremony on The Roof Terrace of The Hay-Adams Hotel, overlooking The White House. We were married by a celebrant under a cherry blossom chuppah with Tiffany Richardson’s string quartet playing Bach. Daniel’s sister and cousin were our bridesmaids. My brother Russ was my best man. A mutual friend, Alex, who introduced us about 6 years ago, was Daniel’s best man. Stephen and Isabella, ages 10 and 7, were our wonderful ring bearer and flower girl.
The reception
After a cocktail hour on The Roof Terrace, our 80 guests gathered in The Lafayette Room for dinner and dancing. Chris Grasso and Sharon Clark played jazz standards. Our brilliant florist Joseph Watkins covered the room in gorgeous, Romantic bouquets.
The moments Marin will never forget
My favorite moments of the day…walking down the aisle and seeing everyone I love smiling. And seeing Daniel there, crying and beaming with happiness – that was a perfect moment. I also loved that my parents surprised us at the end of the night with a send-off in a horse and carriage, which took us around the monuments. It was a beautiful, romantic gift.
How they saved without skimping
We owe our wedding to my parents, who went all out for the event, but we got great deals from our vendors, many of whom are friends. We also got married on a Sunday, which was much less expensive than a Saturday.
How she knew her wedding dress was “The One”
I tried on about 10 dresses but knew I’d found “the one” when my father loved it. It was the perfect thing for the venue and for my personality, and my dad recognized that right away.
Her advice for other brides
My advice to other brides – and couples – is to remember every moment of your wedding day. Don’t worry about anything, especially the things you can’t control. Just live each moment and soak it all in. At my wedding, I ate and drank and danced with my husband…I was completely present from sun-up until sunset and I’ll never forget a second of that day!
