Through the challenges of COVID, Natalia and Douglas worked on keeping their relationship thriving long distance and even arranged a proposal in another country that required quarantine and special permissions. And now here they are – happily married and we share their wedding story!
This feature is part of the White Wren Volume 6 Print Magazine. To purchase your copy, click here.
from the photographer: “Natalia & Douglas tied the knot in Washington DC, at the beautiful Larz Anderson House. Natalia is from Spain and the couple met during Covid times, so to finally have their families and friends come together to celebrate their love, was truly a dream! She designed her incredible dress with a designer in Spain, which featured a gorgeous cape instead of the traditional veil. Their wedding featured mauve, white and black and a beautiful evening of toasts, dinner and dancing.”
How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of one another?
We met at Douglas’s Family’s Marina while he was working. Natalia was working for one of their clients, who introduced us.
From Douglas- When I first met Natalia I thought she was stunning. I hadn’t met a girl like her before. Being from Spain she was exotic to me. She was funny, shy but extroverted and genuine to the core.
From Natalia- When I first met Douglas I thought that he was so nice but I didn’t put my attention on him because he had a super long beard and hair.
Tell us a funny story relating to your wedding day or relationship!
We had prepared a personal letter for each guest at our wedding to be placed at their seat. When we finished the rehearsal dinner we realized that we had forgotten half of them and had no way of reprinting them. We stayed up until 2 am rewriting the missing letters and then Douglas had to find a store to print and cut them a few hours later before the wedding
Describe a hurdle you had to overcome in your relationship or during your wedding planning.
The biggest hurdle we faced was Natalia living in Spain and both of us having to travel back and forth to be able to see each other. Douglas was scheduled to go to Spain in December of 2020 and spend three months there to meet Natalia’s family. When Douglas was on the plane going to Spain, he received an email saying his flight from London to Valencia was cancelled due to the COVID outbreak. When he arrived in London he tried to find anyway to get to Spain including the idea to take a train from London to Paris and then arrive to Spain that way. With Brexit on the verge the trains between UK and mainland Europe were also shut down. Since Douglas was stranded at this point, Natalia decided to fly to London so he didn’t have to be alone for Christmas. After quarantining for 10 days they decided to buy a flight to Spain and try to enter with a special permission from the Spanish government. Even after some resistance at the border of Spain, Douglas finally made it to Spain and spent the next 3 months there, during which time he proposed at an incredible landscape hotel in the mountains. During COVID Europeans were able to come to the United States if they quarantined in an approved third country for 14 days prior to entering the US. Natalia made plans to do this in July of 2021 so she could be in the US for them to close on the purchase of their new home. We were in Mexico for 2 weeks and after the quarantine we flew together to USA.
Any special ways you incorporated your family or family history into your wedding day?
We had a photo memory table dedicated to our loved ones who had passed on and were unable to be with us on our special day
What part of your wedding day was/is most important to you?
Our most important moment was at the ceremony when Natalia was walking down the aisle and Douglas was waiting for her. For us that moment meant no more goodbyes at the airport and the start of our new life together after 3 years fighting with the distance and hardships.
What is the best thing you’ve learned from one another?
Natalia- the best thing that I learned from him is that he taught me to be resilient and that home is wherever he is.
Douglas- Natalia has taught me about a whole new world out there and that true love does exist
What is your favorite thing about each other?
Douglas- My favorite thing about Natalia is her pure kindhearted nature and the love she fills my soul with
Natalia- my favorite thing about him is how much he cares about everybody and the way that he loves me.
What was your favorite part about planning your wedding?
Our favorite moment was choosing the music for the ceremony and reception. Wedding process can be stressful but to do this 2 months before the wedding was a way to connect between both of us and dream about our day.
If you had one piece of advice for other couples, what would it be?
No matter what, if your feelings are pure and your love is strong, then nothing can stand in the way of being together. Be honest, kind and open minded and you will live an amazing life together. Oh! Also, don’t worry, it will all be ok.
What is the most honest thing you can say about love?
Love is easy and hard at the same time, it knows no boundaries and it has no prejudice. If you can allow love to be a part of your soul your life will change tremendously.
Photographer: Audra Wrisley
Venue: Larz Anderson House
Stylist / Planner / Designer: All the Dainty Details
Floral Designer: Tilbury Floral
Dress Designer: Ruben Hernandez Costura
Cake Designer: Buttercream Bakeshop
Hair and Makeup: Amie Decker Beauty
Mens Formalwear: Enzo Custom
Rentals: Perfect Settings LLC
Stationery: Loria Letters
Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab
Video: 87 & Smith
Table numbers: El Tintero
Entertainment: Lucy Black Entertainment
Quartet: Sage String Quartet
Bride and Groom Car: Vintage Limo
Publisher at The White Wren and Bajan Wed, Award Winning Photography + Videographer at Live View Studios, Dad, 80s music lover, crunchy health advocate
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