A Rustic, Autumnal Wedding at the Sheraton Hotel in Arlington, Virginia

You could say it was serendipity that brought Rita Jones (27 and works for the U.S. government) and Nick Conley (32 and works for the U.S. government) together. While the two were officially introduced through co-workers, the two had corresponded via e-mail a year prior. While Rita was working in the intelligence office at the Diplomatic Security headquarters, she worked closely with the analysts that covered the Afghanistan desk. Often, Rita would hear about several of the analysts working for Diplomatic Security in Afghanistan. One of them in particular was always mentioned and spoken highly of — Nick Conley. Several months passed and Rita was told that this “famous” Nick Conley would be leaving Kabul soon and working in the office at headquarters. Rita was tasked with getting Nick set up for the transition back to the United States and at his new office, the same office she was in. Several emails were exchanged, all maintaining a very professional tone, until one day Rita was offered a new position. And with that, Rita wished Nick the best of luck via email and went on her way to bigger adventures. Nick and Rita’s email exchanges ended, as Rita moved to her new office, located in the same building four floors higher, and Nick moved back to the United States and started his new job. About one month had gone by since Rita and Nick started their new jobs, both in the same building and only four floors apart. They had yet to meet in person and had not spoken for months. Keeping in touch with her friends from her previous office, she started hearing Nick’s name again from their mutual colleagues, who would rave about him during lunch meetings and coffee trips. Finally, Rita decided she had to meet this Nick Conley and see what the fuss was all about. And so, when Rita invited her friend Al Rodriguez on a Starbucks run, he thought this would be a good time to bring Nick along. It may not have been love at first sight, but it was the start of an amazing friendship. It only took Nick a few more group happy hours and lunches to ask Rita on their first date, but by that point they both knew they had met someone special. Nine months later, Nick surprised Rita by proposing at their church in Arlington, VA. Nick and Rita both could not think of a better place to be married, than where they were engaged. They agreed that the ceremony would be at their church, Capital Life Church. Agreeing on where to have the reception was not as easy. Rita grew up in the area and was determined to not have the reception in any of the hotels. As quirky as it sounds, she did not want to have the most special night of her life in the same ballroom where she once attended dance conventions. For her, there was nothing new and unique. They started shopping around for a location that would meet the requirements of their out of town guests, their mother's approval, and Rita's standards of "something different" (oh and of course their budget). At just about their wits end, her mother showed her a ballroom, in an Arlington hotel, she had never seen. From the roof of the Sheraton Hotel, with a view of the D.C. skyline, Rita was sold. Rita never wanted to commit to a color but instead to a theme, Autumn. The goal for their wedding style was sophisticated but fun. Saving money where they could by making their own non-floral centerpieces and invitations, the bride and groom put their money into the three things wanted most for their big day; an open bar, so the guests would be loose; a kicking DJ, so the guest would dance; and an amazing photographer to capture all the fun. Rita's mother made beautiful fall-themed centerpieces and faux flower arrangements for the church. Fun touches like trivia questions at each of the tables, a photo booth, mouth-watering cupcakes and an upbeat tunes ensured guests enjoyed the memorable evening.