1. Real Weddings

A Jewel-Tone Wedding at Old Anglers Inn in Potomac, Maryland

When Kimberley Sabet (35 and the director of pricing at Leidos) first tried proposing to Ginny Schoenauer (36 and a program analyst at the SEC) during

When Kimberley Sabet (35 and the director of pricing at Leidos) first tried proposing to Ginny Schoenauer (36 and a program analyst at the SEC) during a bike ride in Northern Virginia, her girlfriend of two years thought she was just being chatty. It wasn’t until Kim unveiled a diamond ring that she had stowed in her sports bra (“the only safe place to keep a diamond ring while cycling”) that the reality of Kim’s proposal dawned on Ginny. In return, Ginny surprised Kim with a proposal etched into a pumpkin a few months later. Ginny and Kim’s artsy, jewel-tone wedding took place outdoors at Old Anglers Inn in Potomac, Maryland. They were married under a breathtaking wedding arch that was bursting with paper flowers that they made themselves. “The DIY decor by far was my favorite thing to do in preparation for the wedding,” says Kim. LED lights twinkled above the farmhouse dining tables at the reception, and lanterns cast a warm glow on Ginny and Kim’s guests as they feasted on a picnic spread of the newlyweds’ favorite foods. As a nod to one of their favorite activities and to their proposal story, Ginny and Kim gave their guests bicycle bottle openers with a tag that read, “Let the adventure begin.” In addition to being able to share this milestone occasion with their loved ones, Ginny and Kim were equally as happy about being able to bring their dog, Levi, to the outdoor event. “Family dogs should be a part of events like this, because they’re also a part of the family you’re creating that day.”

Kimberly's bridal bouquet was an array of pink crepe paper flowers that resembled peonies, which she bought from Mazziflowers on Etsy. “I wanted peonies, even though they were out of season. Paper flowers are always in season.”
Ginny's bouquet mimicked Kimberly's crepe paper peonies but took on a more airy feel with a lighter colored arrangement.
“We didn't want our bridesmaids dresses to compete with our colors, so we decided they should all wear black,” Kimberly says.
“Neither of us were obsessed with traditional white and decided that for contrast, we would choose bridal gowns that look good together, but weren't too bridal”, Kimberly says of her champagne Sue Wong dress and Ginny's purple Two Birds gown.
Kim and Ginny were married in a beautiful, secular ceremony on a stone patio at dusk. Greenery surrounded them on all sides on the stone patio at Old Anglers Inn.
This vintage bicycle and wrought iron carriage made for a quirky entrance area to the reception.
“We had a paper flower arch at the head of the patio, where we exchanged vows,” says Kim. “The flowers were representations of poppies, roses, gardenias and hydrangeas.”
The bicycle was a major motif throughout the day, so it was fitting that the guest book would feature a tandem bike attached to a colorful array of balloons for guests to sign.
Small, DIY arrangements of paper flowers and lanterns were set out on each of the farmhouse tables, which were covered with burlap table runners.
The couple's whimsical invitations played upon their colorful palette with blue and white stripes and a bolder, navy font.
Guests ate dinner by candlelight on the patio at Old Anglers. LED twinkle lights also illuminated the space from above.
“We found cute bicycle bottle openers on Etsy that came with a tag that said, 'Let the adventure begin,'” says Kim.
Keeping with the bicycle theme, the couple's ruffled ombre cake was topped with a bicycle cake topper. The cake was flavored peanut butter chocolate.