1. Real Weddings

Alem & Yohannes: A Cultural Wedding in Washington, DC

Alem Beshir and Yohannes Mariam joined more than their families at their 300-person superluxe wedding celebration -- they combined their Ethiopian and

Alem Beshir and Yohannes Mariam joined more than their families at their 300-person superluxe wedding celebration -- they combined their Ethiopian and Mexican cultures at a beautiful art gallery in our nation's capital. The Bride Alem Beshir, 29, works in sales and marketing The Groom Yohannes Mariam, 41, regional VP of global sales for a communications company The Date October 9 When Yohannes Mariam came to the U.S. from Ethiopia (with 16 cents in his pocket) he was looking for the American dream. Many years later, he found it -- and his soul mate, Alem Beshir. The pair, who met through mutual friends, celebrated their love with an opulent affair that honored their distinct backgrounds and welcomed guests from four continents.

Grand Marnier, Yohannes' favorite liquor, flowed freely throughout the night. The orange-flavored spirit even made its way to the dessert table, flavoring the six-tier white fondant wedding cake.
Alem carried a bouquet of burnt sienna miniature calla lilies with hypericum berries perfectly suited for the fall affair. The bridesmaids carried a trio of burnt sienna and ivory miniature calla lilies wrapped in a rich ginger-hued midori satin ribbon.
Three hundred guests gathered to witness the interfaith ceremony (it included readings from the Bible and Koran) at the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
Alem's seven bridesmaids also sported the color of the day, wearing backless gold gowns the bride designed herself. Designer Mame Mulatu Debebe brought Alem's gold goddess gown conception to life.
The First Dance
Alem and Yohannes were instantly drawn to a grand color palette of gold and bronze. It started with the invitation: a unique scroll, which was wrapped with beautiful gold paper and sent to each guest in a gift box. It's all about the details, Alem says of her color-coordination effort. She chose gold chairs, gold studded plates, and golden silk tablecloths to light up the space.
Alem made her way to the landing of a wide stone staircase in a stunning Peter Langner couture gown with a sweetheart neckline and flower accent on the back of the dress. Her multitiered necklace was steeped in meaning for her family. I wore the necklace my mother designed for my oldest sister Jessica's wedding, who then passed it on to my youngest sister Annie, who also wore it to her wedding! the bride says.
In a nod to both cultures, Alem and Yohannes hired an Ethiopian band to get the party started (the couple first danced to Tilahun Gessesse's Yehiywote Hiywot, which means Love of My Life) and a mariachi group ended the celebration.
After the ceremony, guests traveled through the gallery to the reception, where a mix of square and round tables boasted two different centerpiece designs. Dramatic gold pedestals accented the large square tables and contained caramel-, crimson-, garnet-, and rust-colored flowers. The round tables held a trio of copper-shantung-sheathed vases with fall-inspired flowers, and candles placed in hurricane lamps to extend the regal glow.