Lyndsay and Brian's Modern Industrial-Chic Wedding in Maryland -Munaluchi Bride

Going into their second year of law school, Lyndsay and Brian first met at a recruitment job fair in Virginia. They casually conversed and exchanged numbers for networking purposes. Two weeks later their paths serendipitously crossed again at another recruitment job fair, this time in Washington DC. It was at this point that they began to feel that perhaps there was something more to their meeting. As their conversation continued, the more they got to know about each other the more those feelings took root, eventually blossoming into the unwavering love they share today…

Read all about Lyndsay & Brian’s love story, proposal, and experiences in their modern industrial-chic wedding in Maryland.

Bride & Groom: Lyndsay & Brian
Occupations: Civil Rights Attorney & Director of Government Relations
Wedding date: 5.27.18
Wedding location: Mt. Washington Mill Dye House, Baltimore, MD

How did you meet? We met during a law school recruitment job fair in Richmond, Virginia the summer before our second year of law school. We were introduced in the most unexpected way. His law school friend, who I had never met, began a conversation with me between interviews as if we met each other randomly at the airport. Yes, the airport! His friend’s plan all along was to set us up because Brian told her previously that he wanted a girlfriend but needed her help to meet a mate.
A job fair is as good a place as any, and he asked for my number to network and we went our separate ways. Only two weeks later, we saw each other again at another job fair in DC. We have been together ever since!

Tell us about the proposal. After our relationship evolved and grew over 7 years, Brian proposed at a quaint sushi restaurant in Northern Virginia. This restaurant had personal significance to us because it’s where we had countless dates in our early years together. We began our relationship long distance while balancing all the demands of law school. We made our short, spectacular moments together on the weekends count. This restaurant was the right vibe for us to have an intimate space to get to know each other.
We had not been to this restaurant in years (because we moved and why leave DC except for great Asian food). He proposed the Saturday before my first trial in federal court and he knew the peaceful atmosphere and food would bring comfort and joy to ease into the challenging weeks ahead. He planned to propose on Friday, but I worked all that night. He had flowers waiting for me on Friday when I finally arrived home and I thought it was simply a sweet gesture for all the long hours. But he would not be deterred. On Saturday, I was prepping a witness all evening and Brian kept calling me during the prep session because the ring was burning a hole in his pocket. I finished my prep and he insisted that we keep our dinner plans. I suggested we just go somewhere to eat in our neighborhood because the sushi restaurant closed soon. Brian was not having that and off we went, making it down GW parkway in record time. I took my sweet time ordering, oblivious to Brian’s plans. After we got our food, Brian made his way to the bathroom as he prepared (one last time) to go over what he was going to do. After he gave one last pep talk in the mirror and approached from the bathroom, he pretended I dropped my keys under the table (something unlike me but I bought it and looked down). As he nervously pretended to pick them up, he got down on one knee and proposed! The entire restaurant gasped! I cried first and said yes second! A sweet couple came up to us and took our picture to capture the perfect moment. I walked into federal court the next week with a little extra pep in my step. Brian came to observe and support in solidarity.

What was the wedding shopping experience like for you? I scheduled many appointments over several weeks at different bridal boutiques expecting I would need to exhaust before making a decision. But indecision had no role in me finding “the dress.” I found my dress at the second salon. Also to my surprise I chose a style that was very different from my original vision (simple silhouette, boho, light fabrics). Instead, I fell in love with a french lace fit ‘n flare gown with a jeweled sweetheart neckline and sheer corset back! Brian also only had to go to two places and he ended up going in a different direction too with his tux. I was a little sad to cancel those other appointments; it was so much fun dress shopping!

Ceremony entrance song: Dawn, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Pride & Prejudice (Music from the Motion Picture)
First dance song: Touching Heaven, JOHNNYSWIM

What is your best memory from your wedding? That’s hard. There are so many. We are so blessed. Our best memory is exchanging our own vows (Brian surprised me with tears!). Our first look where we had a moment to ourselves is a close second. We also loved dancing together and with our guests during the reception. It is a miracle our wedding was not postponed. It was the same day as the devastating flood in Ellicott City, MD and our venue almost flooded. We had to make a decision after our ceremony concluded (postpone or take the risk) and we are so glad we made the right choice. Brian calmly took charge by announcing the situation to our guests during cocktail hour and none of our loved ones left the reception. I am so proud to have him as a partner.

What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples? There is a lot of great advice already out there about planning for the actual wedding day. We suggest that engaged couples set aside time outside of the wedding planning to have fun with each other and to discuss what you look forward to about life after the wedding.