Cristina and Joseph first met at a Navy Football tailgate being held by mutual friends in Annapolis. Cristina might not have known immediately that the two of them were destined to be together, but Joseph did. She jumped off the sitting wall on the East side of the stadium, said hello and gave him a huge hug. Walking back to the tailgate with her, Joseph asked if she was taken and his buddy said “yes” to which Joseph responded “tough”. As the day (and night) played out, Joseph eventually persuaded her he was a better option and they quickly grew together from that day on.
The proposal took place a year after they met, almost to the day. Joe made sure to ask Cristina’s father and even flew to Florida to get her grandfather’s approval over a round of golf.
“EVER SINCE CRISTINA WAS A LITTLE GIRL IT HAD BEEN HER FATHER’S DREAM TO BUILD HER A “CASTLE” AND WATCH HER WALK DOWN THE STAIRCASE IN HER WEDDING DRESS.”
Ever since Cristina was a little girl it had been her father’s dream to build her a “castle” and watch her walk down the staircase in her wedding dress. The venue was at her father’s estate in Middleburg, Virginia. Cristina knew in her mind the atmosphere she wanted to create for the wedding and the setting was ideal.
On the day of the wedding, as Joe remarks, the day was perfect. “I couldn’t sleep so my brother Michael, groomsman Jamal and myself held a 7am chipping contest on the Salamander grounds. Watching the sun come up that morning, I was completely at peace and excited for the day to come. During the ceremony I was so nervous. When I saw Cristina walking down the aisle I felt a huge sense of pride and relief. I had found the woman meant for me.”
Cristina remembers being ecstatic and surprisingly calm. “I knew all of my favorite people in the world were arriving to witness me marry the man I loved. After putting on my wedding dress, I remember standing on the top floor peeking out of the windows & catching a glimpse of Joe pacing the grounds outside of the ceremony tent.
That was one of my favorite and more memorable moments of the day. Needless to say, he looked terrified which made me laugh. Joe is usually the one to calm me down but I could tell I needed to do that for him this time.
After walking down the staircase with my dad & hugging him at the bottom, that’s when it all felt real. I was so excited to get down that aisle and kiss my groom! The reception was a blast! You could feel the energy and joy in all the guests! People that I know usually don’t dance couldn’t help but join in! The wedding was more than I could have imagined”
Cristina and Joseph chose to have two Honeymoons. One was after the wedding in Cancun, Mexico which was a gift from Cristina’s Mom. It was a perfect week of relaxation, sun, and time together without any of life’s distractions.
On the second leg of their honeymoon they chose to go to Hope Town in the Bahamas with one little catch: they would bring along their friends! As Cristina explains, “This April Joe and I with sixteen of our closest friends will take over Abaco for a week of relaxation and fun with many of the people who supported our relationship along the way.”
WEDDING TALENT
Location: Private Estate, Purcellville, VA; Floral and Event Design, Planner and Linen: The Event Group International, Reston, VA; Caterer: Ridgewells Catering, Bethesda, MD; Cake: Gateau Distinctive Cakes, Warrenton, VA; Rentals: Syzygy Events International, Washington, D.C.; Tent and Lighting: Skyline Tent Company, Charlottesville, VA; Entertainment: Onyx, Washington, D.C.; Stationery: Little Bit Heart, Annapolis, MD; Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier; Veil: Oscar de la Renta; Bride’s and Groom’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin; Groom’s Tuxedo: Gucci; Cinematography: Blue Sky Films, Silver Spring, MD
