1. Real Weddings

Amanda & Mark: A Traditional Wedding in Washington, DC

Amanda was relatively new to Washington, DC, when she met Mark. On their first date they shared tapas and cocktails, followed by a walking tour of som

Amanda was relatively new to Washington, DC, when she met Mark. On their first date they shared tapas and cocktails, followed by a walking tour of some of the DC monuments. After a bit of late-night sightseeing, the pair wound up sitting and talking on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial until the sun came up. The Bride Amanda Healy, 31, staff architect The Groom Mark Cantarella, 35, general manager of a restaurant The Date June 23 Five years later, after finding out that the cathedral where they worship had a June date available, Amanda and Mark began planning their wedding -- though they still had not made their engagement official. A month later, Mark surprised Amanda with tickets to visit the Washington Monument, the inside of which she’d still never seen. At the top of the monument, facing out toward the Lincoln Memorial -- the site of their memorable first date -- Mark asked Amanda to marry him.

Amanda wore her hair in a lovely, low chignon. Her look was embellished with a crystal hair jewel, a suggestion from her stylist that worked perfectly. “I heard from all the women in the congregation that it sparkled and shined on the altar with every movement,” she says.
Amanda walked down the aisle in a Pnina Tornai gown that she had altered to make, as she says, “the designer couture wedding gown of my dreams.” She opted for an off-white satin material, a slightly higher neckline, and a long train. “It took many trips to New York from DC, but it was well worth it in the end!” she says.
Amanda and Mark celebrated with their guests in a ballroom at the Mayflower Hotel. Tall, dramatic centerpieces in white and green topped the round tables, and white pillar candles encircling them added a romantic glow.
Amanda carried an all-white bouquet that included lush blooms like roses and peonies. Jeweled initial pins spelled out the bride’s new married monogram on the bouquet wrap.
Amanda’s bridesmaids held soft, lush bouquets in shades of pink that included roses and peonies. In addition to the blooms, the thoughtful bride included jeweled initial pins on each maid’s bouquet wrap, “so they would be able to identify their bouquets throughout the day and also feel like they had something personal,” explains Amanda.
At each place setting, Amanda and Mark’s guests found a menu and a satin napkin set atop a gold-rimmed charger.
The band New Monopoly provided the tunes for Amanda and Mark’s reception, learning several new songs just for the couple, including their first dance number, “All I Want Is You” by U2.
The Couple
Amanda and Mark’s guests found their seats with escort cards that coordinated with the rest of the wedding stationery. The cards were placed around a large arrangement that included green hydrangeas and pink roses.