Bride and groom
Jordan Etkin, 27, who was born and raised in Arlington (her parents still live in the 1830s farmhouse on North Powhatan Street where she grew up); and Jonah Berger, 34, who grew up in Bethesda, Md. Both are business professors—Jordan at Duke University and Jonah at Cornell Tech. They live in and travel back and forth between Durham, N.C., and New York.
How they met
At a conference at the University of Maryland. “We pulled out our IDs and [realized] we have the same birthday,” Jordan says. “That got us talking, and we hit it off.”
The wedding
Aug. 16, 2014, on the Newseum’s outdoor terrace overlooking the Washington skyline, followed by a reception in the museum’s banquet hall.
First date
Dinner at Tara Thai in Bethesda
The proposal
Jonah asked for Jordan’s keys so he could retrieve their dog, Zoe’s, bed from her office while she was teaching a class. But instead, he filled the office with 70 balloons and then waited for her. “[The balloons] were all blue, and then the middle one was white, and it said ‘Will you marry me?’ on it,” Jordan says.
Number of guests
140
Ceremony
A traditional Jewish ceremony, complete with the breaking of the glass, a chuppah (canopy), a reading of the seven wedding blessings in Hebrew and English, receiving lines and a moment of alone time as a couple. Jordan was raised Lutheran, but converted to Judaism the weekend before the wedding after months of preparation with a rabbi.
Décor
Minimalistic flower arrangements, combined with metal, glass and pops of black, white and orange.
Favors
Orange reusable totes, adorned with “J+J” stickers, held welcome notes, water bottles, snacks, a calendar of events and a list of exhibits at the National Gallery, as well as a map of key event locations and favorite nearby bars and restaurants.
First Dance
“Stuck on You” by Meiko
Honeymoon
They plan to travel to Thailand or Australia and New Zealand after their fall semester of teaching.
Near disasters
Because of the windy conditions, the signed, framed and mounted ketubah (marriage contract) blew off the easel, leaving a trail of shattered glass. Yarmulkes flew off some of the groomsmen’s heads and the maid of honor had to remove Jordan’s veil so it wouldn’t soar away.
Gown
A strapless, A-line chiffon “Reba” dress by Maggie Sottero.
Photographer
George Street Photo & Video
Details
Flowers
Amaryllis Inc.
Hair and makeup
Modern Bridal Studio
Music
D.J. Jared Rosen
Cake
Fluffy Thoughts Bakery
Catering
Wolfgang Puck