Four years after Irena, a pathologist’s assistant from Oklahoma, and Jeff, a filmmaker from Rockville, connected on Hinge, Jeff popped the question in a romcom-inspired proposal. The scene: it was Christmas Eve, Irena was at her parents’ house, and she answered a knock on the door to find Jeff there with white poster board cue cards and “Silent Night” playing on a Bluetooth speaker Irena’s sister had secretly left for Jeff in their mailbox. As it turned out, Irena’s whole family was in on it, and they celebrated with a surprise engagement party immediately after.
Just over a year later, the couple married in a “spring romance”-themed wedding decorated in seasonal pastels. The florals were among the bride’s favorite parts: light pink peonies are her favorite flower, and the cherry blossoms she loves—including branches incorporated into the archway—were perfectly timed, with the wedding date coinciding with peak bloom. Another highlight: a fortune cookie escort display paid homage to their Chinese American heritage, as did a hidden “double happiness” Chinese character in the photo booth strip design.
As guests left, they took with them bouquets that the couple’s planner had made out of the wedding flowers, ensuring, Irena says, that their “beautiful florals didn’t go to waste.” The next day, the couple invited guests for an authentic Chinese meal and bubble tea at China Garden in Rockville. Then, they honeymooned in Japan.
Wedding Details
Photographer: Villa Li Photography
Venue and caterer: Lansdowne Resort
Planning and design: Create You Events
Florist: Shining Time Wedding
Cake: Baden’s Bakery
Hair and makeup: Bridal With Hanna
Bridesmaids’ attire: V. Chapman from Anthropologie and Jenny Yoo from Bella Bridesmaids
Groom’s attire: The Black Tux
Music: Apollo Chamber Music (string quartet); DJ EPX
Rentals: DC Rental
Videographer: JP Collection
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.
