Inside their stylish spring wedding.
Photos by Brian Adams
The bride and groom are partners in Topline Healthcare, a medical technology and services company. The groom is also CEO of Drone Aviation. They reside in Great Falls, Va.
THE STORY: Jay’s daughter-in-law Meridith (who later stood as Susan’s maid of honor) introduced the pair in 2014. Following a romantic year of courtship, Jay collaborated with Meridith and his son Drew to surprise Susan with a proposal at Italian restaurant Fiola Mare. Instead of serving the soup she had ordered, the waiter placed a special plate before Susan that was adorned with flowers, an engagement ring and sign that read, “WILL YOU MARRY ME?” Susan and Meridith burst into tears as she accepted Jay’s delicious proposal.
THE WEDDING: The evening event was held at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md. and brought together family from both sides to celebrate. The wedding party was composed of four sons, six grandchildren, two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, five nieces and a nephew! For the honeymoon, the couple will take short “familymoon” trips within the U.S. and to the Caribbean this year, and next year will embark on an extensive honeymoon in Europe to include Venice, Barcelona and France.
THE DRESSES: The bride wore three, all equally stunning. For the ceremony, a blush, Spanish tulle Monique Lhuillier gown; for the reception, a narrow off-white silk chiffon dress by Reem Acra; and for the exit, a rose-gold, metallic, knee-length number by Tom Ford called “Liquid Gold.” Their friend, Saks Fifth Avenue Tysons general manager Adam Woitkowski, helped select the gowns.
GROOM’S ENSEMBLE: Custom made-to-measure Lux Tuxedo by Tom Ford and Tom Ford Gianni patent leather evening loafers perfect for dancing the nuptial night away!
DETAILS: The couple drew inspiration from the Cherry Blossoms when planning the wedding with Jodi Moraru of Evoke DC and her team. Each room was decorated with explosions of cherry blossom branches and complementing arrangements of white hydrangea and roses. The bride wore or carried items of importance in keeping with tradition. “Something old” was a handkerchief her mother wore at her wedding 62 years ago; “something blue” (sapphire blue and white crystal wedding brooches clipped on each shoe); “something borrowed” included treasured rings and earrings from happily married relatives and friends in a silk satchel (pus a sixpence in her shoe). Music was provided by the Greg Denard Orchestra featuring world-renowned vocalist Greg Denard, who performed Sir Paul McCartney’s wedding reception in 2002.
SPECIAL TOUCHES: Escort cards contained a personal note from the couple to each guest, not only thanking them for taking part in the celebration, but also saying something that was unique to them personally.
NOTABLE GUESTS: Jeweler Tom Liljenquist and Erin Kilday, NFL commentator James Brown and his wife Dorothy, personal health chefs Jay Coelho and Jay Denman, Zilli Men’s Clothing Store owners Lisa and Mike Colen, and jewelers Dino and Farah Pampillonia.
This story appeared with additional photos in the Summer 2016 issue of Washington Life.
