A Chic, Intimate Wedding at Woodend Sanctuary in Chevy Chase, Maryland

Newlyweds Richard and Steve have the most interesting meet cute – they actually missed each other on their first date! Richard was waiting for Steve outside the cafe where they had agreed to meet while Steve was waiting inside. Once they realized their mistake, they decided to try again. Their second date was infinitely more successful, lasting a whopping twenty-six hours. Richard and Steve dated for 14 years, living together for 11 of them. Richard proposed to Steve during an intimate gathering with their closest friends on New Year's Eve. The couple chose to have their wedding at the Woodend Audobon Sanctuary in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Their sophisticated fall wedding had a color palette of soft yellow and light gray. Since Steve is a passionate gardener, he and Richard decided to go with a bee motif for their wedding designs, which was repeated in the modern stationery, the honey favors, the beeswax candles and the honeycomb wedding cake. The forest ceremony was beautiful and intimate, with semi-circular seating and Richard and Steve's close friend officiating. Wedding fashions included the grooms in slate gray, three piece suits and yellow craspedia boutonnieres. The couple also wore bee print ties and converses on their wedding day. "Steve is really into sneakers," says Richard. "It only took him 11 shopping trips to finalize which shade of yellow converses worked." The tented reception featured dining tables set with gorgeous yellow flower La Tavola linens, assorted yellow and white china and custom bentwood chairs. Richard and Steve's intimate wedding beautifully reflected their personalities and love for one another.