Bride and Groom
Monica Amin Fam, a graphic designer in McLean, who grew up in Fairfax; and David Armanious, a network engineer, originally from Pittsburgh. The couple attend church in Arlington and live in Herndon.
How they met
Through Monica’s brother Eddie, at church.
The wedding
April 27. 2012, at the Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda, in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
First date
“David told me to pack a bathing suit and a regular outfit,” Monica says. “He took me to his community pool to teach me how to swim. Then he took me to one of his favorite restaurants, where he ate a bug that landed on his plate!”
The proposal
At Herring Point, near Rehoboth Beach, Del. “We set up a picnic on the beach, danced to one of our favorite songs, and then David got down on not one knee, but two, and asked me to marry him,” Monica says. “Little did I know our friend JD was hiding behind the rocks taking pictures of the entire proposal. After that, the three of us drove to some landmark World War II towers, which we climbed in order to take more photos. When I got to the top, my sister and David’s best friend were waiting for us with champagne!”
What she loves most about him
“He allows me to be myself with no walls up. We laugh and play together like two goofy little kids! At the same time, we have deep, spiritual and meaningful talks that bring us closer and give us extreme purpose.”
What he loves most about her
“She’s very loving and affectionate. She’s there when I need her.”
Wedding theme
A destination wedding in Mexico, with colors inspired by Mexican art (teal and gold). Monica designed all of the print materials, including wedding invitations that looked like passports.
Number of guests
50
The ceremony
In keeping with Coptic Orthodox tradition, the bride and groom were crowned as “king and queen” and anointed with oil while wearing ceremonial robes and red sashes.
Décor
Papel Picado flags and banners, star lanterns and stringed lights.
Favors
Hand-painted maracas by a local artist (Mishka Designs)
What made it special
Monica’s brother Abraham, a missionary priest, traveled from Lusaka, Zambia to perform the wedding ceremony. “The church was right in the heart of Playa del Carmen, so after the ceremony we were led through town by a mariachi band,” Monica adds. “We had a blast as the whole downtown watched us coming through!”
First dance
“Angel,” by Jack Johnson
Honeymoon
The private beaches of Tulum, Mexico
Near disasters
“We had given the DJ a CD of all the songs we wanted and in what specific order,” says the bride. “Two minutes before we were to be announced and walk into the reception, the DJ let us know the CD wasn’t working. The entire wedding party was lined up outside for 25 minutes until someone could grab a laptop. The DJ then downloaded every song from our playlist all over again.”
Gown
Pronovias
Photographer
Details
Wedding planner: Eddie Fam, Impact Marketing, and Paradisus event planners Ana Garcia and Perla Moreno; Flowers: Euforia; Groom’s attire: Sarar; Hair and makeup: Styling Trio Riviera Maya; Music: DJ Mannia, Cancun; Cake: Cake pops by Linda Stampfli, Arte en Pastel; Caterer: Paradisus Playa del Carmen