James and Joanne's winter wedding at the Mansion at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland, was full of warmth and personality. Set in the historic-home-turned-art-gallery, their January celebration was deeply personal—infused with cultural traditions, heartfelt vows, and a touch of whimsy.
From Mahjong-inspired seating charts and custom crossword puzzles to a hot chocolate bar that warmed guests on a chilly day, every detail of their Strathmore wedding reflected their shared passions and joyful spirit. We caught up with the couple to hear more about the meaningful moments and memorable surprises that made their big day so special.
Why did you choose the Mansion at Strathmore as your wedding venue?
We were drawn to the Mansion because of the beautiful historic building and the thoughtfully curated art. We knew we wanted to have our wedding there after meeting the very friendly and helpful venue staff, who helped us visualize how our wedding would look in the space.
Did you include any cultural or family traditions?
We wrote our own vows and worked with our officiant to develop a ceremony that included a lot of audience involvement: group vows, a "ring warming" ceremony, and a sing-along to “You Make My Dreams” by Hall and Oates. Joanne also wore both Eastern and Western styles of dress for the ceremony and reception.
How long did you have to plan, and what surprised you?
We were on a somewhat accelerated timeline: James proposed near the end of summer, and we picked a date in September. That gave us just 3–4 months to plan everything. We were surprised at how quickly many of the big pieces—venue, catering, and photography—came together. The décor and design choices took longer than expected, but we needed that time for all the personal touches.
What was on the menu, and did you have a favorite bite?
Guests had a choice of potato gnocchi with butternut squash and sage brown butter, or herb airline chicken with a citrus aciote marinade. Our favorite part? The hot chocolate bar—a necessity for a winter wedding!
What moments stand out most when you look back?
The moment the processional music started, all our stress and nerves disappeared. We felt a surge of emotions as we walked into a gorgeous Music Room filled with our favorite people. It was such a relief to see everything we had planned finally happening.
Any funny moments you still laugh about?
We're both huge nerds and created a set of small crossword puzzles with prizes for our guests. Sadly, our friends are even nerdier—some completed the meta puzzle in just 20 minutes! James spent hours crafting those puzzles, and they demolished them. All we could do was laugh!
Vendors:
Photos: Stephen Reasonover
Day-of Coordination: Francisco Pelayo
Flowers: Costco
Catering: Strathmore Culinary Arts
Cake: Japong Bakery