We are getting married on Saturday, May 30th at 4 p.m. Funny how things come together.
Looking back . . .
The story begins years ago, in the lesser-known Washington city, Spokane. Colorado-native Ryan was out there, wrapping up undergrad at Whitworth University. Qui and several of her closest friends had just migrated to Spokane for a graduate program at the same school. (Qui, who had graduated from Messiah College a year earlier and was living in PA, went along for the move.)
We met through a professional networking group, as if often the case with public relations geeks. So we networked. A year later, we went on our first dates, had a mind-boggling blast on each one . . . and Qui promptly picked up and move to Spain. She never returned to Spokane, instead opting for a spontaneous relocation to the other Washington – DC. Clearly, we kept in touch. Ryan followed her six months later. And the rest is history, baby!
Let’s Do This Thing!
We got engaged on November 15, 2008, and will start “our blessed union” only six months later in the nation’s capital. The district has been our home for four years. Our life here is in many ways atypical of what you see on TV. There’s more to this city than black suits, pearls and politcos, and we are psyched out of our minds to share “our” DC with you. Keep reading for info on our wedding day, which features two of our favorite things: parks and community. (And champagne.)
Meridian Hill Park
4 pm (New Time! No longer 3pm. We told you this might happen…)
Did you know DC has more park land per square mile than any other U.S. metropolitan city? We can’t remember the source of this data, but let’s just take it as a fact. We heart DC’s parks!
We are planning to wed in Meridian Hill (a.k.a. Malcolm X) Park, “America’s first national park for the performing arts.” If you ask us, the park is one of DC’s best kept secrets, reminiscent of Paris. Resplendent with terraces, statues and cascading fountains, it’s easy to overlook the teensy drawbacks, like the occasional drug deal and loud siren. Beauty has its price.
Meridian Hill is situated just a few blocks from Ryan’s house in Columbia Heights. Because it’s a state park, a permit is required for all public events held there. We’re in the process of nailing that down, and of course, praying that it will not rain on our parade.
If all goes smoothly, we’ll all meet at the south end for a simple, sweet ceremony. Ryan’s father, Paul Moede, will officiate. Our crazy talented friends Tyler and Maureen Kumakura will perform a song we love dearly, and lead us in a little sing-a-long (a hymn of praise, naturally).
- Plan B: If it rains, the ceremony will be held at our reception location (see below).
- Please note: Due to park restrictions, seating will be provided only for those 12 of you who truly need chairs. We’re really sorry about this, and promise to refrain from an epic, 60-minute affair.
Josephine Butler Parks Center
5 pm – 11 pm
The Josephine Butler Parks Center is located across the street from Meridian Hill Park, at the top of the hill on the northeast end. It will take 2 minutes to walk there. We’ll be taking pictures after the ceremony, so while you’re more than welcome to stay for the photo shoot, you’re also free to mosey over to the JPBC. (You can also go there, and come back . . .and go there, and come back. It’s super close.)
We’ll be serving a buffet dinner w/ a [relatively] full bar, and plan to carry on well into the evening. Bring your dancing shoes and feather boa.
“Tell us about the manse!” If you insist.
The JBPC was an unexpected blessing. When our friends Gunnar and Sarah Larson – who live next door – pointed it out, we had to investigate. Turns out this place was built for one purpose: To be the Vice President’s mansion. It never did shelter the Veep, but it did serve as the embassy for both Hungary and Brazil. Today it’s home to 12 DC-area nonprofit organizations, all of which work on the upper levels to affect change in our city. Event rental fees go towards refurbishing the building, which is vital to the livelihood of those charities. (We really like that part.)
We also love the center’s namesake: Josephine Butler. This. Woman. Was. Amazing.
Josephine Butler helped shape every major social change movement in DC since the 193o’s. She was a champion for the environment (long before “green” was a movement), health care reform and park revitalization. She believed that parks are a place for community to come together and for children to learn about the world, and led the effort to restore Meridian Hill Park – the site of our wedding ceremony (see above).
Now named after the late heroine, the goal of the Josephine Butler Parks Center is to “become a lasting state-of-the-art ‘greenhouse’ for revitalizing and reconnecting diverse community green spaces across metropolitan Washington.” Doesn’t that feel good?
More info about the big day can be found on our blog.
