Amid the ticker tape, confetti and Guy Lombardo, when kisses are given and accepted for a wondrous new year, Kelly and Mike started 2011 as a brand new couple. Kelly’s dress? stunning, a dress was from a small boutique in Frederick, her hair and makeup-flawless all day, and a beautiful orchid filled bouquet with yellow blooms that called to mind how mild the weather was for this wedding day. Totally calm and prepared for a fantastic party and a great wedding, Kelly embodied the poise and calm every wedding magazine and tipster promotes for a great day. Mike, a man who has a ready smile for anyone, and a personality that fills the world with open mouth laughter, was charmingly nervous. Amid the fumbling with cuff link choices and tie knot sizes, he had sent gorgeous flowers and the most delightful messages by any means. A groom who approaches his bride with humility and hope is a groom anyone would want to see in the arms of his bride.
From the first glance at the Embassy Fairfax in Washington D.C. you can watch the butterflies in Mike’s stomach melt away as Kelly takes him in her arms and with the biggest of smiles and tiniest of kisses (you gotta watch that lipstick!) starts their upcoming wedding day and their happily ever after off with such calm, you would think she had always known this day was in the future.
To hear tell from Mike, a friend in the office said “Hey, you’re single, want to meet someone?” Mike was game. So blase’ right?
Kelly, in much the same way, relates the story as a “we’ll see what happens” tale.
After leaving the Washington Times where they both worked, Kelly was approached by a co-worker about this single guy friend. This being Washington, where we like to hold on to things, Kelly held on to the information for a month. That wait apparently fanned the fires as Mike planned a fantastic, as Kelly puts it, “rainy friday night date” After a 7 course tasting menu at Cafe Atlantico, and an after trip to Poste, Mike had her hooked.
As she tells it, Mike waited until the 3rd date for the first kiss, as Mike relayed at the Oyster Riot, he was pretty much ready from jump, just couldn’t get that opening. That opening came after the third date at Mate and Chadwicks, under a street lamp just off M street. After Mike tested Kelly’s resolve at a Caps game, with brother and sister-in law, he opened up that big Irish heart and made his daily affirmation at her office, cards, gifts, or flowers. Mike’s charming directness and matter of fact smile (it’s always there) immediately impressed Kelly. Months later, a proposal on Snipes Island, and this couple who enjoy so much of Washington were ready to have this city hold their wedding.
Being people who very much enjoy the DC nightlife for both work and pleasure, it seems that the casual start was just the thing before the night took off. So many brides who don’t seek to be the center of attention are always so charmingly thrust in the middle the moment pictures begin.
This New Years Eve offered the same result. Take one shy bride beautiful in her dress, and one clearly beaming groom out in Georgetown on the street and what do you get? Traffic, Cameras, and a thousand well wishes and congratulations in every language of the planet. It may be the end of the year, but everyone can spot the beginning of a marriage, to think that such hope, such happiness, and such optimism will only be surreptitiously observed is to not know people. Everyone wants to see happily ever after, and while we do resemble ants making thunder most days, on the day of the wedding, people do take heart.
After Mike and Kelly wowed the crowd in Georgetown, it was off to the Old Ebbit Grill for some bar room photos and, one of the best places for sunset pictures in the city, the roof. Special thanks to Christian and Taylor and the staff for helping us to the roof. The Monument and the White House are always the perfect backdrop for these pictures, distinct and definitive in the background, but never the subject. I love it.
The Church Epiphany Catholic Church on Dumbarton, and yes, Father Lee prides himself on the 45 minute ceremony, he clocked it at 44..seriously, look at the data on the pictures. Then back to the Fairfax at Embassy Row. Where Cecelia and her staff created a fantastic cocktail and passed food creation, The Risotto was such a hit, it set off the Fire Alarms.
So much planned and executed without a hitch by Cristina M. Curcio of Cristina Maria Special Events. The hotel, the room, the friends, the city, the Krispy Kreme, all anyone could ask for, except for Mike and Kelly-They just had eyes for each other. Enjoy
The first thing I did this New Years…
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