President Lincoln's Cottage

Welcome Party

The Church of the Resurrection

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Wedding Ceremony

Wedding Reception

Our Wedding

We met at the University of Virginia, in spring of 2022. We lived in houses that were just a few hundred yards apart, and some of our housemates knew each other from church. One evening in March, Howe and his housemates went over Alma’s house for a movie night. Alma was not there, but she came in as the film ended, and we were introduced. We saw each other again at a game night, and both became quite intrigued. Upon discovering that Alma was studying Russian, Howe employed an infallible heart-stealing tactic: discussing Soviet history. We stayed up past one o’clock playing cards and talking with friends. A week or so later we hadn’t seen each other again, and hadn’t yet exchanged numbers. Howe was starting to think there might not be much interest after all when Alma threw him a lifeline. One evening, Howe’s friend Jonathan (who knew Alma from church) told Howe that she had asked for the name of a book about European nationalism that he’d mentioned. Howe had just wits enough to perceive that Alma was not chiefly interested in the book! He acted swiftly, getting Alma’s contact from Jonathan and asking her out to coffee. We spent more and more time together, going on runs, getting dinner, studying together, and strolling in UVA’s peaceful walled gardens just as they burst into bloom. At the end of April, we decided we liked each other enough to keep dating after Howe graduated. We passed a lovely May in Charlottesville together, a time we will always remember with joy, in a place we will always cherish – and to which we hope to return someday. Over the next year, we dated from a distance. Howe was living and working in Washington, D.C., and Alma was in her final year at UVA. Howe’s path down Route 29 to Charlottesville was well beaten: we went to football games, vineyards, a theatrical adaptation of an Austen novel, and spent time at the Whitmans’ farm outside town. Alma made many trips to D.C., where she became a much-loved presence at Howe’s house on Capitol Hill, and where we walked the National Mall, toured museums, and saw a ballet at the Kennedy Center.&nbsp; The next summer, Alma came to D.C. after graduation for an academic program. She stayed on into the fall, interning in a senator’s office. We got to live in the same city for the first time since the beginning of our relationship, and do our daily and weekly routines of eating, reading, walking, running, and going to church together. It was during this time that we fell irreversibly in love. We read books aloud to each other, we cooked elaborate dinners for my housemates, and we talked for hours as we criss-crossed Capitol Hill by day and by night. Each discovered unexpected layers of humor in the other, and we laughed together more than ever before. We moved from having deep mutual affection to being unable to imagine spending the rest of our lives apart. When Alma left D.C. to begin her Air Force training in California, it was hard for both of us, and for that reason, clarifying. This wouldn’t do at all! We would just have to get married. In February of this year, a few days after Valentine’s Day, Alma visited D.C. As we had so often done, we took a turn around the U.S. Capitol at night (a “Cap Lap”), and on its western side, in view of the Washington Monument, Howe dropped to one knee. Howe being a predictable person, and Alma being a perceptive one who moreover knows Howe very, very well, was not blindsided, but she was elated. Her family had flown into town, including her dad surprising everyone last minute, and we met them right after the proposal for champagne. Howe’s family came the next day, and we all celebrated together with a joyous engagement party at Howe’s house.&nbsp; This summer, we will both move to Cheyenne, Wyoming, and won’t part again. It’s almost time to begin our life together, and we can hardly wait.&nbsp;

Our Story

We are thrilled to gather with so many friends and family members to celebrate our wedding! Thank you for your support and presence on this special day.

Friday, October 25

Welcome Party6:30pm - 9:00pmLincoln's Cottage140 Rock Creek Church Rd NW, Washington, DC Come say hello the night before the wedding! We are so excited to welcome you all to Washington DC, and want to take the opportunity to greet you. Drop by anytime to catch up and have a drink!&nbsp;

Saturday, October 26

Ceremony4:00pmChurch of the Resurrection,501 E St SE, Washington, DC Cocktail attire is suggested for this event. The ceremony will take place in the sanctuary of the Church of the Resurrection. The sanctuary is on the second floor of the church. This space is air conditioned and ADA accessible. Parking is limited, so we recommend that guests carpool, Uber, or walk to the ceremony. For more information, see our "Travel" page. If you are unable to be with us in person, the ceremony will be live streamed. Follow this link, and you will see the video pop up a few minutes before the ceremony begins. https://www.youtube.com/@RezChurchDC/streams Reception5:00pm - 10:00pmChurch of the Resurrection,501 E St SE, Washington, DC We will have dinner, drinks, and dancing to celebrate saying, “I do!” The reception will take place in the side yard and first floor of the Church of the Resurrection. The tent will be heated, but we recommend bringing an extra layer in case the October evening gets chilly.

Sunday, October 27

Optional: Join our church on Sunday morning11:00am - 12:15pmChurch of the Resurrection,501 E St SE, Washington, DC We would like to invite you to join us in attending our church's weekly service! The service is in the same space as the wedding ceremony. There are also services at 9:00am and 5:00pm.

Schedule

Air TravelThere are three major airports close to Washington DC: Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). DCA is the closest and most convenient airport, approximately 15 minutes' drive from the location of our ceremony (Church of the Resurrection, 501 E St SE, Washington, DC). IAD and BWI are each about an hour drive to the church. All are accessible by Uber/Lyft, and IAD and DCA are accessible by Metro. HotelsWe have not reserved a block of hotel rooms, as DC has many hotel options suited to many budgets. Additionally, Capitol Hill is an historic neighborhood with plenty of charming AirBnb/VRBO options. We recommend staying in one of Capitol Hill's many beautiful rowhouses for the full, local experience. If you'd prefer a hotel, below we've listed several options that are close to the ceremony location. We recommend booking soon, as the day after our wedding is the annual Marine Corps Marathon, which will bring many visitors to DC. The closest hotel to the church is The Capitol Hill Hotel located at 200 C St SE. Other nearby options:- Courtyard Washington Capitol Hill/Navy Yard (140 L St SE, Washington, DC 20003)- Hilton Washington DC National Mall the Wharf (480 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024)- Holiday Inn Washington Capitol - Natl Mall, an IHG Hotel (550 C St SW, Washington, DC 20024)- Hyatt Place Washington DC National Mall (400 E St SW, Washington, DC 20024) TransportationWhile rental cars are available at all three airports, the easiest way to get around Washington DC is by walking, using a rideshare service, or taking the metro. The ceremony location and the surrounding Capitol Hill neighborhood are metro-accessible by the Eastern Market station and Capitol South station (both Silver, Orange, and Blue lines). For information on using the Metro system, please visit this site: www.washington.org/navigating-dc-metro While driving and parking is common, there are not many parking garages immediately accessible near the venue and street parking is typically quite limited. We encourage guests to walk or Uber to and from the venue to alleviate the stress of finding street parking near the church. If you would like to drive in and park at a nearby garage, there are some options within a 10 minute walk from the venue. Drive up, paid parking is available at 700 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, as well as "Lot 660", 600 Pennsylvania Ave SE. Both of these options are north of the church by a few blocks.

Travel

Welcome to Washington, DC, the Nation's capital! We have loved exploring DC together, and it holds a special place in our hearts--we got engaged on the west side of the U.S. Capitol! If you are traveling from out of town, we hope you will find time during our wedding weekend to explore some of the extraordinary museums, historical sites, and landmarks in the District. On this page, we have compiled some of our favorite things to do and see. Note that some museums and tours require advance reservations, so we advise you to begin planning your sightseeing as early as possible. If you’re looking for somewhere to eat…Most places listed below are in or near the Capitol Hill/Eastern Market neighborhoods, with a few exceptions. On the weekend, visit Eastern Market for an outdoor farmer’s market with lots of good food options.&nbsp; Coffee Shops- Tatte (various locations, 250 Massachusetts Ave NW)- 7th St Hill Café (701 North Carolina Ave SE)- Peregrine Espresso (660 Pennsylvania Ave SE) Breakfast- Le Bon Café (210 2nd St SE)- Jimmy T’s Place (501 E Capitol St SE)- Le Pain Quotidien (660 Pennsylvania Ave SE)- Bullfrog Bagels (one location in H St corridor at 1341 H St NE, another in Eastern Market at 317 7th St SE) Lunch- Sweetgreen (various locations, 221 Pennsylvania Ave SE is closest to the church; Alma’s all-time favorite lunch spot)- Nando’s Peri Peri (411 H St NE)- Buffalo &amp; Bergen Capitol Hill (240 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002) Dinner/Drinks- Old Ebbitt Grill (675 15th St NW)- Santa Rosa Taqueria (301 Pennsylvania Ave SE)- Barrel (613 Pennsylvania Ave SE)- Momo Chicken and Grill (1001 4th St SW)- Hawk ’n’ Dove (329 Pennsylvania Ave. SE)- Union Pub (201 Massachusetts Ave NE)- The Queen Vic (1206 H St NE)- Café Berlin (322 Massachusetts Ave NE) Groceries- Trader Joes (various locations, 750 Pennsylvania Ave. SE is closest to the church)- Giant (various locations, H St location is north of Capitol Hill, 300 H St NE)- Safeway (various locations, 415 14th St SE is closest to the church) If you have a couple of hours...- Take a stroll on the National Mall. At the east end is the U.S. Capitol, and two miles west is the Lincoln Memorial. The Washington Monument is in between, and the World War II Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and Vietnam War Memorial are all located in the vicinity of the Lincoln Memorial. You'll see many of DC's famous landmarks by spending a bit of time walking around the Mall! Taking the Metro to the Smithsonian stop on the Blue/Silver/Orange lines will get you closest to the Washington Monument. Tickets are required if you'd like to visit the top of the Washington Monument, and they are claimed quickly: https://www.nps.gov/wamo/planyourvisit/fees.htm. Other memorials listed above do not require reservations--just a good pair of walking shoes.&nbsp;- Visit the United States Botanic Garden, located near the US Capitol building. On a chilly day, the steamy greenhouse and stunning collection of plants, trees, and flowers is incredible! It’s located near many of the other museums on the mall, so it pairs well with a visit to one of those (see the Smithsonian section below). - Eastern Market is the neighborhood northeast of the church, named for the indoor market where you can buy meat, dairy and vegetables. On weekends, they close the street and vendors set up tents outside the market. There is lots of delicious food, and local artists and small business owners sell all kinds of interesting things. - Located east of the Capitol is the Library of Congress. To learn about the Library's history, you can reserve a free, timed-entry ticket to access the museum (www.loc.gov/visit/). If you want to experience it like a local, visit the museum, then take a moment to get a library card and visit the grand reading room! You can pre-register for the card (https://www.loc.gov/rr/readerregistration.html) , and upon arriving at the Library, follow instructions for how to get your card. - Visit your Congressman/Senator's office! The Senate and House office buildings are open to the public most of the time, as long as you pass through a metal detector (sometimes, unpredictable security situations temporarily prevent access). The Senate office buildings are located to the north of the Capitol building, and House offices to the south. Using your Congressman/Senator's website, you can find the address of their DC office, and simply stop by. You probably won't see the Congressman/Senator, but you can let their receptionist know that you're a visiting constituent and ask if they have any recommendations for your time in DC. Additionally, they can provide a pass that will allow you to visit the House or Senate galleries, which is an incredible experience! If you call ahead of time, they may be able to set up a tour or other experience for you--just be sure to call the DC office. If you have a half- or full day...- Take a tour of the U.S. Capitol. Tours can be arranged online through the Capitol Visitor Center website (https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/visit/book-a-tour) or by calling your Congressman/Senator's office. Keep in mind that you cannot bring food or drink and you'll have to pass through metal detectors to enter the Capitol. - Visit the Museum of the Bible. Opened in 2017, MOB documents the narrative, history, and impact of the Bible with exhibits on history and a large collection of biblical manuscripts and artifacts. It’s an incredible compilation of the history of the Jewish and Christian people, and well-worth the $30 admission fee—this is one of our favorite museums in DC. You can get tickets at www.museumofthebible.org.&nbsp; - You may want to spend more than a half-day at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. It tells the horrific story of the Holocaust through historical accounts, firsthand narratives, and artifacts, so that we will not forget these atrocities. Free, timed-entry tickets are required, and you can get them at www.ushmm.org/information/visit-the-museum/admission-tickets.&nbsp; - Take your pick of one of many Smithsonian museums located on or near the National Mall. There’s the African American History and Culture Museum (requires free, timed-entry tickets), the Air and Space Museum (requires free, timed-entry tickets), American Art Museum, American History Museum, American Indian Museum, Hirshhorn, Natural History Museum, Portrait Gallery, Postal Museum, and Renwick Gallery. The National Archives, where the Constitution is preserved, are also nearby, as is the National Gallery of Art. Our favorite places to spend an afternoon are the American History Museum, National Gallery of Art, and the American Art Museum.&nbsp; - Visit the National Zoo! It requires a metro ride and a short walk from the National Mall area, and you’ll need free entry passes.&nbsp; - Visit Arlington National Cemetery. You can drive or take the metro, as the Cemetery is located just across the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia. You can enter the Cemetery for free, and walk around the grounds to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and watch the changing of the guard (a must-see…it takes places every hour, on the hour), and see Robert E. Lee’s house, as well as John F. Kennedy and his family’s graves. If you’d prefer to have a guide, the Cemetery offers guided bus tours that will allow you to see many of the famous memorials and graves, for a fee. You can visit Arlington’s website here:&nbsp;www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/#/ or the tour-provider’s website here: https://www.arlingtontours.com/?phta=ancbranded&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwxLKxBhA7EiwAXO0R0CdyLFmzrovaRBhgqF1L8UiOPtSKsaNOEBaybagQhjfKdkbGrSW5pBoCR6gQAvD_BwE If you want to spend time outdoors...- Visit Theodore Roosevelt Island. It’s a 88.5 acre island in the middle of the Potomac River, with trails and a memorial to President Roosevelt. You can drive to a parking lot, or take the metro to the Rosslyn station (Blue, Orange, Silver lines) and walk 15 minutes. Visit this website for more information: www.nps.gov/this/index.htm - Stroll around the Tidal Basin. South of the mall, this body of water is part of the memorial to Thomas Jefferson. In addition to Thomas Jefferson, there are memorials to Martin Luther King Jr. and Franklin Delano Roosevelt along its banks.&nbsp; - Walk through the historic streets of the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Stop by Lincoln Park for a memorial to President Lincoln, funded by emancipated slaves. The tree-lined streets will be beautiful in October, and there are many colorful and fun row-houses to observe!&nbsp; - Visit the National Arboretum. It’s a short drive from the Capitol Hill neighborhood (located at 3501 New York Ave NE) and boasts a variety of tree and flower collections on 450 acres. Visit this website to learn more: www.usna.usda.gov/

Alma & Howe

Alma & Howe

Photos