Maddie and Andres met in August 2018 on a dating app. “On our first date, we went to a local DC restaurant known for Latin food and drinks and shared pina coladas, mojitos, and empanadas. We sat on the rooftop and talked all night until the place closed. Not wanting the date to end, Andres invited me out to dance.”
The couple got engaged in August 2021, just before their 3-year anniversary. “I wanted to propose to Maddie in a place that holds sentimental value to the two of us—under a willow tree along the Potomac near the Tidal Basin in DC, where we would set up a hammock and watch the day pass us by. On the day that I planned to ask for her hand in marriage, as I was setting up the area with flowers, mother nature had other ideas, and it started raining, and a thunderstorm threatened to scuttle my plans. Fortunately, the setting sun peeked through the rain clouds as I got down on one knee and asked Maddie to marry me. She said yes, and we quickly ran for the car and celebrated with friends after.”
90 guests, including a two-person wedding party, helped the couple celebrate their July wedding at Strong Mansion. “It was truly picture-perfect—we had the forest behind us as we stood surrounded by gardens overlooking the mansion and the pond.”
“After two years of living with the pandemic and dealing with all the sadness and frustration that came with it, we knew we wanted our day to be full of joy, which, for us, meant bright colors. We went for a classy garden-party theme with lots of florals and greenery to complement the space. We chose florals in various colors, including peach, bright pink, yellow, coral, orange, and light blue. Since it was a July wedding, we provided fans that doubled as party favors and pre-ceremony drinks so our guests could stay cool. We also incorporated our love of travel with our guest book and welcome table. In lieu of a traditional guest book, we asked guests to write travel tips, must-see destinations, marriage advice, and well wishes in a photo album that was filled with pictures of our travels together.”
Maddie is an attorney, and Andres is a financial systems analyst. They live in Washington, DC.
First dance: Lover by Taylor Swift
Honeymoon: Portugal
Vendors
Getting Ready: Homewood Suites
Venue: Strong Mansion
Photography: Neysha Bauer Photography
Catering: Pampa’s Fox Catering
Planning: Sunflower Weddings**
Bridal Attire: TLC Bridal**
Cake: Sage Cakery**
Hair & Makeup: Swept LLC
Entertainment: Extraordinary Entertainment
Engagement ring: Market Street Diamond DC
Wedding bands: James Allen
**FrederickWeddings.com member
