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Sohee Park and Donald Chu liked each other right from the
start - as friends. But when their romance began more than a
year after meeting, it was only 9 months before taking their
relationship to the next level. On vacation, while visiting his
parents in San Diego, Donald took Sohee to the beach on
Coronado Island and proposed. “Donald is really romantic, so
when he laid out a blanket and candles, I didn't think anything
of it. But when he pulled out the ring, I was completely
overwhelmed,” Sohee shared.
Both being of Korean descent, Sohee and Donald wanted
something traditionally Korean while still having an American-
style wedding. The couple found the perfect solution by planning
a Korean ceremony the day before their actual wedding.
Following the ceremony, they hosted a rehearsal dinner as a
prelude to the following day.
For Sohee, it was a special moment. Not only was she getting
married, she hadn't seen her parents for more than a year
when she last visited them in South America. She needed a
place with great food, but one that also had a warm and cozy
atmosphere. Since Sohee attended quite a few events in the
past, she knew the perfect place: the Democracy Grill at
Bethesda Marriott Suites. “I love it there. I knew the food
would be great, since I'd been there many times.”
For their 34 guests, the couple chose fruit and cheese platters,
followed by a tossed salad, roasted chicken breast marinated in
lemon and spices and accompanied by pasta primavera accented
with a vegetable medley. With freshly baked macadamia and
chocolate-chip cookies to round out their meal, they served
flavored coffees and teas. “It couldn't have been better. We had
a lot of privacy and it was very intimate. We had a chance to tell
everyone how much they meant to us.”
That night following the rehearsal dinner, Sohee and one of her
bridesmaids stayed at the hotel. For Sohee, it was the perfect
way to spend time and reminisce with one of her best friends.
It also gave her time to finalize the details for her wedding gift
to Donald: a beautiful room at the historic Renaissance
Mayflower Hotel, where they would stay before leaving for
Malta and Italy. To their pleasant surprise, Sohee and Donald
were given a honeymoon suite on their wedding night, and
enjoyed a romantic evening in one of the most beautiful hotels
in Washington, DC. |
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