Frederick Backyard Wedding :: Real Frederick Weddings :: Marni + Jonathan

written by Frederick News-Post June 28, 2019

Marni and Jonathan had been living on opposite corners of Meridian Hill Park in DC for seven years and had never met until a dating app called ‘Coffee Meets Bagel’ introduced them.

Jonathan’s family is from South Africa and the couple had planned a family trip there to see the sites and meet his relatives.

“The day before we left, things started getting weird. Jon insisted we go on a double date with a couple that was coming into town from Baltimore, and although I felt like there was too much trip preparation to make it happen, I eventually obliged 45 minutes after we were supposed to meet the other couple. We started walking over through the alley behind our apartment and Jon proposed right there. Turns out there was no double date, but when we got back to the house, my family and lots of friends were there to celebrate. Jon wanted to be able to go to South Africa as an official unit.”

200 guests were in attendance for their September wedding held in the backyard of Marni’s childhood home in Frederick.

“Our favorite part of the ceremony was how we incorporated our families. We got married under a chuppah that my mother sewed and that her siblings each used in their weddings. We also had all 10 of our nieces and nephews parade down the aisle with silly props.”

The couple chose to use greenery as their decor, as well as florals in plum and orange. “The best part of our wedding was being surrounded by our family and friends and feeling all the love. Everyone brought so much spirit and energy to the celebration, especially many of the Jewish traditions we incorporated.”

Jonathan is a jeweler with Mervis Diamond Importers and Marni is a project director at TNTP. They currently reside in Washington, DC.

First Dance: You are the Best Thing by Ray LaMontagne

Honeymoon: Sri Lanka

Vendors

Venue: Private home

Catering: Hoffman Caterers

Photography: Photos from the Harty

Planner: Wedding Muse

Jewelry: Mervis Diamond Importers

Florals: West Virjeni

Hair & Makeup: Soft Images

Entertainment: Dapper DJs**