Michael, a political media consultant from Memphis, and Jeremy, a non-profit director from Michigan, first connected on Hinge. Jeremy messaged first, and they say the banter was easy. Two days later, on their first official date, they bonded over recent international travels, their Jewish upbringings, and their love for politics. Eight years later, Jeremy surprised Michael with a proposal at a “joint birthday party” Michael had planned with a friend who was in on the ruse. An extra special surprise: their parents had flown in for the occasion.
Every detail at their black-tie wedding in October was intentional—starting with the rehearsal dinner at Eastern Market that included Memphis-style barbecue and smoked brisket.
Michael’s favorite part was the ceremony music: guests entered the space to piano renditions of the couple’s favorite show tunes; their families and wedding party entered to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and—after a quick game of Rock, Paper, Scissors, to see who went first—Michael and Jeremy walked down the aisle to Wicked’s “For Good.” There, at the end of the aisle, was Jeremy’s favorite detail—the rainbow chuppah. In keeping with the metallic color scheme, the grooms wore gold and silver kippot hand-knitted by Jeremy’s mom.
At cocktail hour, a sushi and sashimi bar nodded to their honeymoon in Japan, and at the reception, guests received personal notes with two-dollar bills to keep for a late-night surprise. And after an evening of dancing—to music played by DJ paired with live musicians, including a saxophonist they say was a standout—there was a late-night drag show finale featuring local drag queens Sasha Adams Sanchez and Mari Con Carne. In lieu of an afterparty, Jeremy and Michael opted for an extra hour of dancing and at the Willard, with late-night bites that included mini milkshakes, chocolate chip cookies, and Detroit-style pizza. See the photos of their big day below.
Wedding Details
Photographer: Leah Moyers
Venue, caterer, and cake: Willard InterContinental
Planning and design: Michelle Taylor-Spearman and Michael Deltette
Florals: Edge Floral Event Designers
Stationery: Write Stuff Printing
Attire: Billy Reid
Rentals: DC Rental
Music: NYX Entertainment & Events
Videographer: Suburban Video
Drag queens: Sasha Adams Sanchez and Mari Con Carne
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.
