Sean and Alex's relationship took the phrase absence makes the heart grow fonder to a whole new level - after meeting in Paris in 2001 they spent a large part of the next 16 years living across the ocean from each other in the United States and the United Kingdom. After a proposal in Spain (in front of a castle nonetheless) the two brought their friends and family together in DC for a weekend truly a long time coming.

The celebration began with welcome drinks at the Embassy Row Hotel rooftop in Dupont and didn't stop until the farewell brunch at The Madison Hotel. The two wed in a touching ceremony at the Jefferson Memorial and then partied the night away at the Carnegie Institution of Science.

The reception was complete with not just a live band but a full karaoke set up for this music loving couple. However, the highlight of the night had to be Sean's surprise for Alex - unbeknownst to Alex, Sean had been taking singing lessons and surprised his groom with a song at the reception.

Finally, in place of gifts, Sean and Alex asked their guests to donate to a Go Fund Me focused of helping eliminate guns - the campaign raised money to purchase gift cards which will be used to encourage regular citizens to bring in their guns to be destroyed.

Our wedding design took on a subtle science theme, a nod to Sean's profession, with centerpieces from Joy & Co Floral utilizing real science beakers. The couple also incorporated Alex's English background with a custom High Tea station custom curated by RSVP Catering.

We love that this day was so clearly full of what truly matters most to these two: family, friends, love and each other!

"I don't want to bore you with it
Oh but I love you, I love you, I love you"

- Stevie Wonder, Knocks Me Off My Feet

Photographer: Life & Times Production
Ceremony Location: Jefferson Memorial
Reception Location: Carnegie Institution for Science
Videographer: Whole Heart Studios
Caterer: RSVP Catering
Transportation: Fleet Transportation
Florist: Joy & Company
Officiant: Tiffany Newman
Ceremony Music: Pop Culture Strings
DC Tour: DC By Foot
Decor: Plants Alive
Piano Rental: Schaeffer's Piano Company
Cocktail Hour Piano: Your Piano Bar
Band, Sound and Lighting: Bialek's Music
Calligraphy: The Welcoming District
Stationery: Minted
Welcome Gift Cookies: Sugar Studio
Favors: Bashlogoy
Rentals: DC Rental and Perfect Settings
Grooms' Attire: Charles Tyrwhitt
Singing Lessons: Blue Feather Music

About Sincerely Pete

Sincerely Pete is a full-service wedding planning and design company in Washington, D.C. and Alexandria, VA who believes in a personal, curated & customized approach to each wedding couple we work with, taking their values & personalities into account and keeping the relationship as the focus of the wedding. We plan Washington DC weddings, Virginia weddings, Maryland weddings and destination weddings all over the world. We love working with modern-minded couples including same-sex weddings, interracial and interfaith weddings.