WHO + WHAT
We met on our first day of college orientation. He had a goatee, and she was attempting to meet every dog on campus. After graduation, new jobs, and plenty of life's greatest obstacles, our five-year friendship turned into long-distance phone calls turned into dating turned into cross-country moves and first apartments. (And best of all, the adoption of the laziest dog that has ever and will ever exist.) All told, we've been linked to each other for just shy of ten years. Ten glorious, dad-joke-filled years.
Then, one Sunday afternoon last May, she dragged him on a run to the top of Meridian Hill Park. It was hot, we were exhausted, and Ramsey was angling for dinner. (What's new?) But, because it's our tradition, we concluded our run with a relaxing pause on the steps of the Masonic Temple. It was in this blissfully normal moment that David proposed the idea of marriage. Truth be told, she didn't believe him at first. "Here? Covered in sweat? Are you tricking me?!" Fortunately he was not, and she couldn't have been happier. Nor could the moment have been more perfect.
Anyway, we're getting married in a backyard in the Pacific Northwest with pizza and beer and pinot noir, and it is our hope that everyone we love will be there to join us.
WHERE + WHEN
August 1
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
WHY
"I miss it if I'm not in it for any length of time; I don't feel comfortable. I want trees and I want frequent rain."
—Murray Morgan
Through college and ever since, our West Coast Home has always been in the rural town of Enumclaw, Washington. Combined, we've spent twelve Thanksgivings, one Christmas, and two birthdays in the foothills of Mount Rainier. When we started to consider venues for our wedding, we hemmed and hawed. Compared to Enumclaw, the most beautiful venues felt impersonal and distant: DC is our home for now, but it's not our forever. We daydream of a life in the Pacific Northwest, with a happy family, too many dogs, and a dozen half-complete renovation projects. Which is why MaryEllen and David's offer of their backyard just felt right.
If you have never traveled to the Pacific Northwest, we hope you will view this as an opportunity to experience its beauty first hand. Enjoy the green, breathe the fresh air, and hopefully understand why we never stop talking about our inevitable return.
HOW
Fly on a plane! Come in Friday morning to join us for a Friday picnic and hyper-competitive, super-awesome field day in Steel Lake Park. And, if you don't fly out until Sunday afternoon, join us in Steel Lake Park for a casual brunch-picnic-thing.
No expectation of attendance; this is us finding creative ways to spend quality time with family and friends that isn't the Wedding Proper. (We hear the bride and groom rarely get to eat? That sounds awful.)
There are several options for where to stay! We have a room block in the Marriott and, though we don't have a block, there is still space at the Hampton Inn. You could also try to find a place on airbnb for the weekend.
- Free airport shuttle
- Free wedding shuttle
- Walk to Fri/Sun picnics
- Taxi from airport
- Free wedding shuttle
- Walk to Fri/Sun picnics
- Taxi from airport
- Walk to wedding shuttle
- Walk to Fri/Sun picnics
We will operate a shuttle between the parking lot of the Courtyard Marriott and the Schumer family home. The Hampton Inn is located next to the Courtyard Marriott, and therefore the shuttle will also, technically speaking, pick up from the Hampton Inn parking lot.
If you elect to stay somewhere other than the Courtyard Marriott or the Hampton Inn, you can still take the shuttle to the Schumer family home—as long as you get yourself to the aforementioned parking lot by the allocated time (see schedule).
And, finally, if your preference is to drive yourself to the wedding, you can do that, too. But be warned: we will be total pests about designated drivers.
Despite the Pacific Northwest's reputation for rain, the summers are actually quite lovely. We anticipate that temperatures will be in the low- to mid-80s, with clear skies and minimal humidity. Nights are chilly, so bring a jacket or sweater to stay warm after sunset. (And maybe, just to be safe, bring a rain coat?)
Ladies: Sun dresses are great—think Kentucky Derby, not the Oscars. As for heels, they're more likely to aerate the lawn than accentuate your awesome calves. We recommend flats or wedges.
Gentlemen: This is not a black tie affair. Dress like a hipster—or an east coast prep at a cocktail party—and you'll do just fine. David says that, whatever you do, "just make sure you look good."