Wedding Day

Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle

Ceremony

The Willard Hotel

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Our Wedding

Nate and Caroline first met in the summer of 2021. Both had moved to Washington D.C. from Cleveland a few months prior to their first date and, despite going to westside Cleveland Catholic sister schools, the two had never met even though they grew up one town over from one another. In fact, it was a meet cute so unlikely that Nate’s grandparents could only describe it as “serendipitous” the first time he told them that his new girlfriend was from Cleveland. Unsurprisingly, once they met, getting to know each other came easy because it felt like they had known each other their whole lives. No example could make this clearer than the fact that their first date lasted nearly seven hours! As Nate completed graduate school and Caroline continued to move up in her career, the two became inseparable, and their relationship only grew from there. Fast forward to three and a half years later, the two got engaged in March of 2025 at the cherry blossom festival in the city where they first met. Over the past four and a half years, they’ve built a life together in D.C., including adding a third member to their family with their yellow lab, Lily. They cannot wait to have the people they love most here in Washington to celebrate their special day.

Caroline and Nate

Our Story

Photos

Charlotte Adler

Nick Damico

Liz Ward

Jake Ward

Christina Darby

Justin Adler

Malia Minarik

Cole Moench

Alexis Schweibinz

Allister Brausch

Maggie Schlicht

Adam Banks

Claire Schaenen

Noah Unger

Katie Taylor

Cole Howard

Jenna Bush

Steven Holmes

Wedding Party

Dress Code

We’ve reserved room blocks at the Willard, Hotel Washington and the JW Marriott, all of which are within just a few hundred feet from our venue, the Willard Hotel - please book by August 25th! Blocks will be available until this day.

The Willard Hotel is where we are thrilled to have our wedding reception! Known as the "Residence of Presidents," it has hosted every U.S. President since Franklin Pierce, and is known for its pivotal role in American history, including being where Martin Luther King Jr. finalized his "I Have a Dream" speech and where the term "lobbyist " originated from President Grant's frequent lobby meetings. It's known for its luxury, historic elegance, iconic Round Robin Bar, Afternoon Tea in Peacock Alley, and as a hub for political and cultural figures like Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, and P.T. Barnum. Take a look at the FAQ page for more history of The Willard.

InterContinental the Willard Washington D.C. by IHG

Located just steps from the White House, Hotel Washington blends historic charm with modern elegance in the heart of downtown DC. With stunning rooftop views of the Washington Monument at the VUE Rooftop Bar and easy walking access to the Willard and JW Marriott, it’s a perfect home base for our wedding weekend. Guests will love its central location, stylish rooms, and unbeatable views of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

Hotel Washington

Perfectly situated on Pennsylvania Avenue, the JW Marriott offers classic comfort in the heart of downtown DC. Just a short walk from the Willard and other wedding weekend events, it provides spacious rooms, modern amenities, and easy access to the city’s most iconic landmarks. It’s a convenient and comfortable option for guests who want to be right in the center of it all.

JW Marriott Washington, DC

Additional Hotel Options

In addition to our room blocks, there are many other great hotels within walking distance of our venue and events. Downtown DC offers a wide range of options at different price points, so guests are welcome to choose whatever feels most convenient and comfortable. We recommend staying near Pennsylvania Avenue, Metro Center, or the White House area for the easiest access to everything throughout the weekend.

Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown - located 0.4 miles from the Willard Hyatt Place Washington DC/National Mall - located 0.6 miles from the Willard The Mayflower, Autograph Collection (Marriott brand) - historic hotel located steps from St. Matthew's Cathedral Courtyard by Marriott Washington, DC Dupont Circle - located 0.2 miles from St. Matthew's Cathedral

Hotel Blocks

Getting to DC

By Air ✈

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

Reagan National is the closest airport to our wedding hotels, located just across the river in Arlington, VA. It’s about a 15–20 minute drive to downtown DC and is easily accessible by Uber, taxi, or Metro (Yellow or Blue Line to Metro Center). If you’re flying in, this is the most convenient option!

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Dulles is another major airport serving the DC area, located about 30–45 minutes from downtown (depending on traffic). Guests can take a taxi or rideshare directly to the hotels, or use the Silver Line Metro for a convenient public transit option into the city.

By Train 🚂︎

Union Station

Arriving by train? Union Station serves Amtrak and regional rail lines and is about 10–15 minutes from our hotel blocks by car. You can also take a quick Metro ride (Red Line) to Metro Center and walk to the hotels.

Day-of Transportation

Shuttles will be provided on the wedding day conducting pick-up and drop-off services at the Willard Hotel and St. Matthew's, respectively. The shuttles will run before and and after the ceremony. More information will be provided closer to the wedding day.

Transportation

Things to do in D.C.:

We’re so excited to celebrate with you in Washington, DC! Whether you’re here just for the day or are making a long weekend out of it, we’ve put together a few of our favorite spots around the city.

Wedding Day: Time between the Ceremony and Reception

After the ceremony at Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, there will be about 2.5 hours before cocktail hour at The Willard InterContinental Washington, DC.

If you want something easy:

Grab a drink or bite near the Willard:• Old Ebbitt Grill (oldest restaurant in D.C.)• The Vue (located on the roof of Hotel Washington; one of the best views in the entire city)• Round Robin Bar (inside the Willard; famous for introducing the Mint Julep to the Capital) Grab a drink near the Cathedral:• Iron Gate• Tabard Inn

If you want to explore:

• Walk by The White House (~100 feet from the Willard)• Visit the National Mall (~.25 mi from the Willard)

Things to do throughout the weekend:

Food and Drink:

Classic DC Restaurants:• Old Ebbitt Grill (Downtown)• Le Diplomate (14th Street)• Filomena (Georgetown) Other Favorite Restaurants:• Etto (14th Street)• Duke's Grocery (Dupont Circle)• St. Anselm (Union Market)• Rumi's Kitchen (Mount Vernon)• il Canale (Georgetown) Coffee &amp; casual:• Tatte Bakery and Cafe (Many locations)• Zeke's Coffee (Downtown)• Baked and Wired (Georgetown)

What to see:

The National Mall:

The National Mall is home to iconic monuments including the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. At the eastern end is the U.S. Capitol, and the White House is to the north. It's also flanked by Smithsonian museums, and its lawns and pathways are often crowded with school groups, joggers and softball teams. Nearby, the Tidal Basin reservoir is known for its blossoming cherry trees. Many of the monuments and museums are close enough to one another to be accessible by walking. We highly recommend that you stop down here in your free time.

Neighborhoods we love:

Dupont Circle: home of "Embassy Row" as well as numerous bars and restaurants; located only a few hundred feet from the Cathedral. Georgetown: known for its historic cobblestone streets and Victorian homes, with plenty of high-end shopping and great food. 14th Street: Lively corridor known for its dining, award-winning restaurants, bustling nightlife, and eclectic boutique shopping.

Caroline & Nate