My husband Andrew and I were married on a beautiful Sunday afternoon just outside of Washington, DC. We planned a vintage-inspired garden wedding that we hoped would feel like a big, fun dinner party for 50 of our closest family and friends. To stay within our modest budget and to personalize our wedding as much as possible, we incorporated DIY elements and projects throughout the ceremony and reception.
{all photographs by Punam Bean}
From this day on, I choose you to be my wife/husband…
To live with you and laugh with you
to stand by your side and to sleep in your arms.
To be the joy to your heart and peace to your soul.
To bring out the best in you always
And to be the most that I can for you.
I will follow you anywhere,
From the driest desert to the tallest mountain to the farthest city.
I will love, honor, and cherish you
in sickness and in health for all the days of my life.
May these vows and this marriage be blessed.
May it be sweet milk,
this marriage, like wine and halvah.
May this marriage offer fruit and shade
like the date palm.
May this marriage be full of laughter,
our every day a day in paradise.
May this marriage be a sign of compassion,
a seal of happiness here and hereafter.
May this marriage have a fair face and a good name,
an omen as welcome
as the moon in a clear blue sky.
I am out of words to describe
how spirit mingles in this marriage.
- Rumi, This Marriage – Ode 2667
For a list of wedding blessings by Rumi, please click here
Our wedding team:
Venue – Woodlawn Manor
Catering – BasiKneads Catering
Cakes – CakeLove
Officiant – Cantor Jan Morrison - Columbia Jewish Congregation
Invitations – Cricket Press
Calligraphy – Laura Hooper Calligraphy
Day of Coordination – Jasmine Smith
Photography – Punam Bean*
Floral Arrangements – Amaryllis*
*I experienced significant issues while working with both Amaryllis and Punam Bean and am unable to recommend them to other DC-area couples. Please visit United With Love for a full list of DC-area wedding vendors and professionals. I am also happy to provide a short list of recommendations upon request.
