Here is an interview with the wonderful + lovely Cathleen + Marc:
HOW DID YOU MEET? We met at graduate school in San Diego, California. We started out purely as good friends, one of those classic cases of never eyeing each other in that special light until that one day. Actually, what it really came down to is Marc wrote Cathleen a love poem and the oldest trick in the book worked.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU THE MOST TO YOUR HUSBAND/WIFE?
Cathleen: Obviously it goes without saying that no one can help being attracted to Marc’s model good looks. But more than that was his easygoing nature, that he was so grounded, distinctly independent, and approached life in the same way I did // being together was the most natural thing.
Marc: Two things – she was always the best player on the soccer pitch and the smartest person in class. I vividly remember her commanding presence on the pitch and looking over her shoulder in our accounting and economics classes to see that she already had the answers. She was intriguing and I knew that interest would last a lifetime.
HOW DID HE PROPOSE? On our one year anniversary of being in our first apartment together, Marc made up like it was something to celebrate, first with an epic dinner at Little Serow, a place we’d been dying to try. Afterwards, we came home to a dozen photographs of our favorite moments together that Marc had blown up and plastered across our living room wall. The first letter of each photo caption spelled out the sneaky question. Intimate, understated, and unexpected, couldn’t have a more special moment.
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR VISION FOR YOUR WEDDING? We just ended up defaulting to our favorite look for furniture, fashion, and design: simple and modern, but we also love industrial. So we tried to emulate a modern but natural look with wood + metals + mercury glass + soft neutrals.
TELL US ABOUT FINDING YOUR VENUE: Thanks to a tip from a family friend, we stopped by the beautiful grounds of The Alfond Inn, a boutique hotel in Winter Park and it just felt perfect. The fresh architecture and interior peppered with contemporary art, that pretty glass-domed Conservatory, plus some seriously delicious food, thanks to the charming chef Marc Kusche – had us sold!
WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST PLANNING CHALLENGE? Planning a wedding from afar in DC with all its built-in logistical challenges.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE DESIGN ELEMENT OF YOUR WEDDING?
Cathleen: The hanging centerpiece for the head King’s table made of branches, white dendrobium orchids, and hanging pendant lights set some beautiful and whimsy ambience.
Marc: The melding of all the creative efforts from both the vendors and family. It was a truly special experience to look up at the hanging centerpiece, down to the custom-made favors, and over to the refinished photobooth backdrop.
DID YOU HAVE ANY DIY DETAILS? We didn’t really have the stamina or vision to give justice to those epic DIY weddings. But we did add in small DIY details to try and personalize the day with our fortune cookie favors, signs, and photographs. But by far, probably the best DIY element was the spin on the photobooth concept, made from a set of repurposed, shabby chic antique doors by the estimable, mother of the bride.
WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF YOUR WEDDING DAY?
Cathleen: The most memorable moment of the wedding was definitely stepping up to join Marc at the end of the aisle (and looking into his teary eyes ;)). A close second is eating leftover cake in bathrobes and slippers at 2 am, looking at each other and grinning did this really happen.
Marc: It’s actually a pretty liberating moment to be up there in front of all the people I know and love, expressing my feelings and intent to the love of my life. I think we always try to hide one thing or another- be it a small white lie or secret- from friends and family. But during the ceremony there’s no hiding; your heart is on your sleeve; everyone can see exactly what you’re feeling (if the tears don’t already show it). It’s those moments, looking over at the groomsmen and the two sides of the aisle, with a mutual understanding of “Finally! This is how I feel” that I will remember the most.
DESCRIBE YOUR CAKE: It was a 4-tiered, rustic buttercream cake, set with fresh flowers of blush peonies, sahara roses, lambs ear, and white ranunculus. We chose an amaretto cake with chocolate ganache and vanilla buttercream to make for something a little more fun than just vanilla, but not too sweet.
HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER? Sara and Jason were a dream team! They made us feel ridiculously at ease and spoiled us (and as apparent, everyone else they work with too) with their ability to transform any vista and pose, those seemingly mundane to the normal eye, into something speculator. Their good humor and personalities are so much fun as is their willingness to experiment and tell a story with your day.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND AS A COUPLE? Buy some art for the house, get a pooch, plan a honeymoon for the Spring // enjoy the married life.
CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR VENDORS:
Venue & catering: The Alfond Inn
Day-of wedding coordinator: An Affair to Remember
Officiant: A Beautiful Ceremony
Photographer: Concept Photography!
Florist & décor: Fairbanks Florist
Ceremony & cocktail music: Strings & Things
Market lights & centerpiece lighting: Get Lit Productions
DJ & LED lighting: Soundwave Entertainment
Cake: The Sugar Suite
Hair: Luma Bridal