We wanted our wedding to feel intimate and romantic.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
Jason and I both worked in politics and met on a political campaign in 2019. My passion has always been in athletics (which is why I think politics was a natural fit given the competitive nature of campaigns). I love women’s sports and investing and growing opportunities for women and girls to compete. Field Hockey is one of my great loves. I played collegiately and continue to play competitively with a team in Washington, DC (2023 national champions!). I also coach youth club hockey and have coached teams from under 12s to under 19s.
Jason – I love making people laugh—it’s one of my favourite ways to connect with others and bring joy to any situation. I’m also passionate about solving problems, which perfectly aligns with what I do for work. There’s nothing more satisfying than finding solutions that make a real difference.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
Jason and I met in the spring of 2019. He was a consultant on the campaign I worked on. I popped into his office to ask a question about expense reporting (he worked on the finance/compliance side of things). After my long-winded question he just responded with “Hi, I’m Jason, Nice to meet you too.” It’s funny thinking about that moment and not having the slightest idea I met my husband for the first time that day. We worked together for nearly two years before we dated. Jason occasionally visited my desk to make small talk. When he heard I would be moving on in November of 2020, he asked me to dinner. It was the longest first date ever; we spent all night chatting and sipping cocktails. The next day at the office, Jason asked if I’d like to accompany him to get a COVID test since we were both heading home to see our families for Thanksgiving that week. I will never forget leaving the clinic to find him smiling by the car out front. He tested negative and was making plans to take me to lunch. I tested positive and was completely freaking out. We didn’t see each other for weeks while I recovered. Once I was back to work, Jason asked me to be his date at the White House Christmas Party. We have been inseparable since.
I moved from Boston to DC in 2019, excited for new opportunities and a fresh start. Little did I know that a seemingly ordinary day at the office would lead to meeting my future wife and best friend. When this firecracker walked into my office, all fired up about an expense report; I was immediately struck by her energy and confidence. I couldn’t have imagined then how much she’d come to mean to me.
I always tried to be cautious about mixing business with pleasure, but over time, I found myself drawn to how hard she worked and how, even during the longest days, she always managed to look so effortlessly cute. I didn’t want to create any unnecessary distractions while we were in the thick of the campaign, but as the end approached, I realized I couldn’t let her leave without taking a chance. Asking her to dinner was the best decision I’ve ever made.
What was supposed to be just a couple of years in DC turned into the beginning of a whole new chapter, one filled with love, laughter, and a lifetime of adventures with the woman who turned my world upside down in the best way possible.
My first impression of Jason was of how kind he was to everyone we worked with. Not a single person who knew him had anything but wonderful things to say about him. He had charisma in the form of quiet confidence. He was handsome, energetic, wicked smart, and added levity to every situation.
My first impression of Maddison was how direct and confident she was. She didn’t hesitate to speak her mind, which I found both impressive and refreshing. I quickly discovered that she was just as much of a sports fan as I was—though she does have questionable taste in the teams she supports. From the very beginning, I knew I loved making her smile, and even more, I loved making her laugh. After all, I’m the funny one in the relationship, and seeing her light up is my favourite thing in the world.
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
I realized I wanted to marry Jason after a few months of dating when it became clear how he embraced my passions in life and encouraged me to lean into those passions. My faith is my foundation in life, and Jason never made me feel like I was being pulled away from that. He always pushed me further into a better relationship with Christ, even though he did not have a formal religious upbringing. He also supported me in coaching and playing hockey as often as I could, never complaining about my busy schedule. He healed a part of my heart I never knew needed healing by loving me so completely and embracing every part of me. He loves so unselfishly and sacrificially.
I realized I wanted to marry Maddison a few months after we started dating. I had never experienced the kind of unconditional love and support she gave me. She has this incredible way of making you feel like you’re the most important person in the world, and her deep love and commitment to her family showed me how much she values the people she cares about. It became clear that she would do the same for me because, in so many ways, we had already become each other’s family.
Maddison also has a strength and selflessness that inspires me daily. She believes in me even when I doubt myself, and she’s always there to lift me up and encourage me to be the best version of myself. I knew she was the person I wanted to spend my life with because she makes life fuller, better, and filled with love and laughter in ways I didn’t know were possible.
Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
Jason proposed on our two-year dating anniversary at the centre of the Christmas Market at City Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We had just come off a very busy stretch of work, and Jason asked if he could join me for Thanksgiving with my family, which took me by surprise because he typically travels home to Boston for Thanksgiving with his family. He said he wanted to spend the weekend together to celebrate our anniversary, and leading up to it, I came down with an awful migraine. Jason insisted that getting my nails done with my sister would help me feel better, and that’s when I had an inkling that he might be proposing. He offered to cancel the trip several times, but I didn’t want to ruin the surprise. So we made it to Philly (a short drive from my family in Delaware) and strolled the Christmas market before checking into the W Hotel. We got ready for dinner and seeing Jason in his favourite suit was another giveaway. On our way to dinner, he asked if we could stroll the market again in the evening under the Christmas lights. With a photographer waiting nearby, he got down on one knee. It was the happiest day. Bystanders offered us mulled wine to celebrate, and we ate sushi and champagne afterwards.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding.
We wanted our wedding to feel intimate and romantic. It was important that we found a location where all of our guests could stay onsite together. It felt as though we took over this small town in the Tuscan hills. We saw our worlds collide over espressos in the garden, walk through the vineyard, and lounge by the pool. We wanted that feeling of being surrounded by our loved ones in an awe-inspiring location. We also wanted to showcase the beauty and history of the Catholic Church, which was a simple task given how gorgeous our ceremony location and Mass was.
What was one element you were happy to splurge on?
PHOTOGRAPHY! We were happy to spend what we needed to ensure we were getting beautiful photos. It was important to us to have our memories captured authentically. Jess did an amazing job. We loved her fly-on-the-wall style of shooting and the editorial-style portraits she did during golden hour.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
I had a hard time choosing a wedding dress. I went to The Dress Theory in Nashville with my sisters and mom and tried on a ton of dresses. Then, had three more appointments in the DC area. I thought I would settle on a silk-fitted gown with a long train, but it felt like it was missing something. I returned to The Dress Theory to try a dress I saw online and thought I would love. I happened to see Nina by Danielle Frankel out of the corner of my eye while it was being cleaned out of a fitting room, so I asked to try it to see how it compared to the one I had come in for. I was immediately in awe of it. I had the full moment of finding my dress, with overwhelming joy and tears. And to my surprise, when it arrived, it fit like a glove! I didn’t need any alterations beyond a simple hem of the skirt. It was perfect.
VENUE Ceremony – La Certosa di San Pietro, @lacertosadipontignano; Reception – Villa di Monaciano, @monaciano PHOTOGRAPHER Jess Withey, @jesswitheyphoto VIDEOGRAPHER Fragments Collection, @fragmentscollection PLANNER Vida Events, @vida_events FLORIST Chiara Pieraccioni, @fleurs_firenze_iaiaflorevents CELEBRANT Father David Dufresne of St. Charles Church, @stcharleschurch ENTERTAINMENT DJ Zano, @djzanoitaly and Aldo Ferrini, @aldoferriniofficial from Fix The Music CATERING, CAKE & RENTALS Italian Taste, @italiantastelodovichi STATIONERY Designed by the bride ENGAGEMENT RING Custom Solitaire Emerald Diamond with a simple gold band BRIDE’S WEDDING BAND Gold Baguette Diamond Half Eternity Ring – Lana Jewelry, @lanajewelry GROOM’S WEDDING BAND Forced Carbon Gold Band – David Yurman, @davidyurman BRIDAL DRESS Welcome Party – Abriana Dress by LPA purchased from Revolve, @lpa, @revolve; Ceremony – Nina by Danielle Frankel purchased from The Dress Theory, @daniellefrankelstudio, @thedresstheorynashville; After Party – Brenda Dress by SAU LEE purchased from Revolve, @saulee, @revolve BRIDE’S SHOE Ceremony – Sling back block heels – Franco Sarto, @francosarto; After Party – Platform heels aptly named “Maddy” – Betsey Johnson, @betseyjohnson BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Welcome Party – Hairpin borrowed from a bridesmaid; Ceremony – Hairpin borrowed from a bridesmaid; Veil – Handmade by the talented, Alisha of One Blushing Bride, @oneblushingbride; Blue rosary beads around the bouquet – Bride’s late maternal grandmother; Simple gold crucifix – Bride’s paternal grandmother BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Blooming Bouquet – Dior, @dior SUIT/TUXEDO Welcome Party – Wool Silk Linen Suit – Suitsupply, @suitsupply; Ceremony – Black Three-Piece Havana Tuxedo – Suitsupply, @suitsupply GROOM’S SHOE Welcome Party – Handmade Leather Loafers – Ben Heart, @benheartitaly; Ceremony – Patent Leather Black Oxfords from Suitsupply, @suitsupply GROOM’S ACCESSORIES Welcome Party – Crucifix; Ceremony – Crucifix; Watch – Shinola, @shinola GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Sauvage – Dior, @dior BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES V. Chapman, @vchapmanstudio
