The couple: Elizabeth Scarborough, 44, CEO and partner at SimpsonScarborough, a market research firm in Alexandria; and Cleve Johnson, 49, managing director of the Arlington office of Clark Realty Capital. This was the second marriage for both. Their blended family now includes five teenagers. They live in Arlingwood.
How they met: Chemistry.com
First date: Restaurant Eve in Old Town Alexandria
The proposal: On the Potomac River in a boat rented from Fletcher’s Boathouse
Kacie Q Photography
Kacie Q Photography
The wedding: Aug. 20, 2015, in Big Sky, Montana, where the couple owns property. “Our daughters were the maid of honor and bridesmaids, and our son was the only groomsman,” Elizabeth says. Many guests brought their kids, so the ceremony also included 12 flower girls. Cleve’s brother, an Episcopal priest, officiated.
Activities galore: Weekend fun included fishing, rafting, a pig roast, two bounce houses for the kids, hiking, zip-lining, paintball and a golf tournament.
Number of guests: 125, including 35 kids under 18
Kacie Q Photography
Elements of the unexpected: “Big Sky is usually sunshine … but on the morning of our wedding we woke up to a torrential downpour,” Elizabeth recalls. “I cried in bed with my sister for about 30 minutes and then went out with my dad and brother and played nine holes of golf in the drizzle. Then it was time to get ready. By 5 p.m. the sun was popping through the clouds and it was beautiful.”
Number of guests: 125, including 35 kids under 18
Favorite moment: “Speeches by our children at the reception,” Elizabeth says. “In retrospect, we should have hired a videographer.”
Kacie Q Photography
Kacie Q Photography
Bride’s attire: Nicole Miller
Groom’s attire: Jeans
Kacie Q Photography
Kacie Q Photography
Wedding planner: Bash Bozeman
Photographer: Kacie Q Photography
Kacie Q Photography
Details: Caterer: Food for Thought; Florist: Labellum; Invitations: WeddingPaperie.com; Hair: Hair by Sarah/ Hair Ninja; Music: Missy O’Malley
The honeymoon: Island-hopping in the Caribbean, including golfing in Barbados (Sandy Lane), fishing in the Bahamas (Deep Water Cay) and relaxing at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
Advice for other couples: “Hire a wedding planner and do it early. Planning a destination wedding without any help is virtually impossible.”
Favorite local hangouts: Washington Golf and Country Club and the soon-to-open Livin’ the Pie Life bakery on Glebe Road