Marriott Washingtonian Center Wedding: Kara + Connor

Connor and Kara met when they were still freshmen in high school. Kara had a crush on one of Connor’s best friends. Connor said that he would help Kara to get to know his friend. During that time, Connor and Kara would talk every day, getting to know each other. All the while, Connor knew his friend didn’t like Kara back, but Connor continued to play it out as an excuse to talk to Kara. Eventually, Connor asked her out and they began dating–and the rest is history!

Their engagement happened in June of 2012. Every year since Kara was a kid, her family would go on vacation to a resort in the Pocono Mountains called Woodloch Pines. Kara said that it was and will continue to be her favorite place on earth.  On the last night there–which happened to be the night before Kara’s birthday–the resort staff puts on a fun variety show as a way to thank their guests in a send-off just before they leave town the next morning. At the end of the show, Connor and Kara were called on stage for Kara to blow out birthday candles in front of hundreds of guests. As it turns out, this was just a pre-planned way to get her on stage. Connor took the microphone, told their story, got down on one knee, and proposed in front everyone present–including Kara’s parents, brother, and one of her bridesmaid’s family. Kara said, “It was crazy to have strangers we didn’t even know come up to us and congratulate us that evening and the next morning during breakfast!”

Such a sweet story! 🙂

Finally the wedding day came! Kara and Connor decided to celebrate their big day with their friends and families at the Marriott Washingtonian Center at Gaithersburg, Maryland.

First dance of Bride and Groom. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com

You will see that the Bride’s shoes have the same theme with her floral bouquet and even the table centerpieces. They all had white feathers.

Bride's wedding shoes with feather and jewelry. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com

Check out the Bride’s beautiful flower bouquet with white roses, white lilies, and feathers by Sweet Blossoms, LLC.

Bride's white rose and lily flower bouquet with feathers by Sweet Blossoms. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com

It was attached with pins that the Groom got from the Air Force.

US Air Force pins on Bride's floral bouquet. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Bride's weddding shoes and the shoes of flower girl, bridesmaids and maid of honor. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Bride writing wedding vow during getting ready. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com

Cute idea with the garter using the Airman Battle Uniform pattern. 🙂

Garter with military US Airforce Airman Battle uniform pattern. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com

Yes, getting ready for the Bride, especially putting on the wedding dress, means that they need all the help that they can get. 🙂

Bride putting on wedding gown with help from Mother, bridesmaids and maid of honor. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Bride looking at mirror, fluffing her veil. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Bride, maid of honor, bridesmaids and flower girl in the elevator. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Bride hugging Mother and getting emotional. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Bride and Mother wiping tears after hugging each other. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com

The Father of the Bride finally gets to see his daughter for the first time in her wedding dress. 🙂

Father or Bride seeing daughter the first time in her wedding dress. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Father of the Bride laughing, happy after receiving handkerchief gift from daughter. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com

Connor, the Groom, admiring how beautiful his Bride looked as she was walking down the aisle.

Groom and his party seeing Bride for the first time walking down the aisle. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Father of the Bride escorting daughter walking down the aisle. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Rabbi Jane Berman offering wine for Bride and Groom during Jewish wedding ceremony. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com

Kara and Connor had a Jewish wedding ceremony with seven blessings.

Groomsman delivering speech and blessings for Bride and Groom during ceremony. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Groom under chuppah laughing listeing to Groomsman's speech. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Bride and Groom listening to one of the 7 blessing from a family member. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Father of the Groom delivering his blessings to the Bride and Groom. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Bride and Groom laughing listening to the seven blessings. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Bride saying her wedding vow to Groom under the chuppah. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com

At the end of the ceremony they had a Military wedding cordon.

Bride and Groom kissed during the military wedding cordon after the Jewish wedding ceremony. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com US Air Force officers sheath their swords after the military wedding cordon. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Bride and Groom smiling and cuddling. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com

Here’s the beautiful Bride with the Best Man and Groomsmen,

Bride posing with the Best Man and Groosmen. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com

and the Groom with the Maid of Honor and the Bridesmaids!

Groom posing with the Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Table centerpiece decors with feather palm trees. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Bride smiling while doing first dance with Groom. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com

After the first dance of the Bride and Groom, next was Father of the Bride and daughter dance,

Father of Bride dancing with daughter during parent dance. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Mother of Bride and Groom smiling looking at Bride dancing with Father. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com

followed by Mother of Groom and Son dance.

Mother of Groom and Son dance. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Bride and Groom laughing listening to Father or Bride toast speech. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Bride hugging Grandfather. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Bride and Groom singing and laughing during lighting of chanukah. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com

Beautiful wedding cake by Custom Cake Designs.

Wedding cake by Custom Cake Designs. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Bride's engagement and wedding ring, and Groom's wedding band. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com White floral wedding bouquet by Sweet Blossoms for Bride on the sweetheart table. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com

A sequence after the cutting of the cake. 🙂

Bride and Groom feeding wedding cake to each other. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Groom wiping of cake from Bride's cheek. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Groom kissing Bride after cake cutting. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Guest flipped in the air while dancing during open dance. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com

The crowds were really pumped to dance with entertaining live music from the Diamond Alley Band.

Bride dancing and laughing with her Mother and Father. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Guest families and friends showing their legs. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Father of the Groom dancing and laughing with his wife. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Mother of Bride hugging bridesmaid. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com

Of course there was also the hora dance!

Bride and Groom lifted up on chairs during hora dance. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Bride and Groom laughing after lifted up on chairs during hora dance. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Mother and Father of Groom lifted up on chairs during hora dance. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Father of Bride dancing and laughing with a guest. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Groom trying to peek under Brides wedding dress to find garter. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Bridesmaid clinking on glass so Bride and Groom would kiss. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com Bridesmaid dancing with mother and father. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com

It was so much fun to cover their wedding! 🙂

Bride and Groom singalong with song played by Diamond Alley Band. Marriott Washingtonian Center wedding at Gaithersburg Maryland, by wedding photographers of Leo Dj Photography. http://leodjphoto.com

Congratulations Kara and Connor!
May you live happily ever after! 🙂

 

Leo Dj

Vendors

Venue/Catering: Marriott Washingtonian Center

Officiant: Rabbi Jane Berman

Make up: Merle Norman

Hair: Total Image Salon

Dress: Francesca’s Bridal

Tuxedo: Men’s Warehouse

Florist: Sweet Blossoms

Cake: Custom Cake Designs

Band: Diamond Alley

Decorations: DIY

Cards: DIY

Wedding favors: DIY

 

 

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