The Metro, Jumbo Slice, and Two Cats Inspired the Details of This DC-Themed Wedding

Simone, an attorney at DC’s Office of the Attorney General, and Maher, who works for the U.S. State Department, initially met through mutual friends at a bar and later connected on a dating app. They got to know one another over a pitcher of blood orange sangria at Boqueria, and walking between bars on their second date, Maher asked if he could kiss Simone. That spot immediately became a special one to them, and over the years any time they’d pass it, they replayed that moment. One morning three years later on their way to brunch, they shared that ritual kiss, and then Maher said he had another question to ask—and proposed with his mother’s engagement ring.

Their “Day in DC”-themed wedding highlighted things Simone and Maher say are typical in their day-to-day lives: they played habibi funk music; showcased their cats (on their cocktail napkins, with the names of their signature drinks, and on an embroidered pocket square Simone surprised Maher with); commuted by Metro; ate good food and drinks with a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired menu that reflected their heritages; and highlighted some of DC’s history at their venue, the Daughters of the American Revolution. Metro-themed table designations were complemented by potted herbs that doubled as favors for guests and nodded to the herb garden they keep at home. Simone wore her late grandmother’s 1950s dress, which was tailored to her style using extra fabric for the corsages for her mother and godmother. On display, a Where’s Waldo-style piece of artwork the pair commissioned from a local artist featured a DC map with some of the couple’s favorite places and things hidden throughout. After dinner and dessert, they opted for Jumbo-Slice-inspired late-night snacks, including chicken tenders and tater tots, and favors for guests included chocolate truffles from Capitol Candy Jars. But before the end of the night, in true Simone and Maher fashion, they say, they had their wedding coordinator sneak them out so they could go home early and go to bed while their guests carried on—“a classic Simone and Maher party move.” 

See the details of their DC-themed day below. 

Wedding Details

Amy Moeller

Fashion & Weddings Editor

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.