Family Was the Heart and Soul of This Pastel Wedding at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, DC
Rebecca Walters and Andrew Hahm’s story began subtly during their college years. The bride recalls, “Though we did not talk that much at this point, apparently, Andrew thought I was cute from the start.” A shared meal with friends kickstarted a deeper connection. “While we ate and got to know each other better, something just clicked,” she reminisces. “We immediately knew we wanted to spend more time together.” Their love story reached a new height when Andrew popped the question in Santorini, Greece. “Little did I know, he was planning a secret surprise for me,” she says. “He proposed to me on the balcony of our own villa in Santorini at sunset. I had never dreamed of such a romantic and wonderful proposal.”
In the whirlwind of wedding planning, the bride and groom were a duo of dreams and decisions. From the get-go, they knew their wedding had to be a springtime event with a palette that echoed those seasonal vibes: “dusty blue, forest green, white and blush.” The stage was set for a day that blended tradition and personal touches.
Central to their ceremony was a cherished familial element that lent intimacy to the occasion; Rebecca’s uncle, a Catholic priest, officiated their nuptials. This personal connection transformed their traditional Catholic wedding into a uniquely meaningful event, embedding family at the very heart of their union. When it came to dressing the part, Rebecca and Andrew approached their wedding day looks with both style and sentiment. The bride’s gown was a stunning Ann Barge design, selected for its exquisite flower details and flattering cut. Andrew, complementing Rebecca’s elegance, chose a bespoke midnight blue tuxedo from Christopher Schafer Clothier, embodying a classic style with a distinctive twist.
The wedding day dawned with a buzz of excitement as guests gathered in anticipation. “For the ceremony, we really did not have to do too much besides some lovely floral arrangements as we relied on the beauty of the church!” The decor’s simplicity underscored the church’s grandeur, allowing the focus to remain on the couple and the solemnity of their vows and their commitment to those they hold most dear. “It was a priority for us to honor Andrew’s mother’s memory, and we did so through the paragraph in the program about her. Later on, we played songs she liked, and almost every speech included a mention of her.” After the traditional ceremony came their most anticipated moment: slipping their respective rings onto each others’ fingers. “It felt like time stopped for a minute,” remembers Rebecca.
Following the ceremony, the cocktail hour was a vibrant celebration of Andrew’s heritage. The couple chose to include Korean-inspired appetizers, like “Galbi skewers, Kimbap and bao buns,” as a flavorful homage to the groom’s cultural background. As the reception unfolded at the Four Seasons, the couple’s love of family shone even brighter. The star of the show was the bride’s sister, Michaela, the maid of honor. Described lovingly by Rebecca as “the light of my life,” Michaela’s vibrant personality and dance skills lit up the party, adding irreplaceable warmth and joy to the celebration.
The bride’s bond with her sister was not just familial, but a reflection of her values. “As a sibling of someone with special needs, I have known for a long time her care would eventually fall to me,” Becca shares. “I knew that if someone became my spouse, they would need to know that we were a package deal and that I had certain unique responsibilities. I knew Andrew fit the bill, especially seeing his care and attentiveness towards my sister and family.”
The evening continued with laughter, dance and heartfelt speeches, each moment a cherished memory in the making. As they looked back on their special day, the couple’s advice to others planning their wedding was imbued with the wisdom of their own experience. “Our marriage advice is to keep going on dates after you are married! Life gets crazy sometimes, and it is SO important to carve out that time for just the two of you,” they advise.