Date: June 24, 2017
Her story: Sophia Ju, 28, was born in Queens, N.Y. She works as a digital marketing manager at The Advisory Board Co. in Washington, D.C. Her parents, Steve Ju and Rebecca Lee, live in Gaithersburg.
His story: Seth Ferderer, 27, was born and raised in Washington, D.C. He works as a senior analyst at 2U in Landover. His father, Lance Ferderer, lives in Silver Spring.
Their story: Seth and Sophia met — at the age of 22 — in 2011 shortly after the two graduated from college. Although Seth graduated from the University of Michigan and Sophia from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, they wound up working together in Washington at LivingSocial, which was a tech startup at the time.
It wasn't an immediate spark. They admitted that they didn't always get along at first and were constantly challenging each other. But in the end, found that they had much more in common than they thought.
The two started talking every day at work, which led to them taking lunch breaks together. They'd also rush home just to continue talking on the phone throughout the night.
After several weeks of late-night chats and text messages, Sophia asked Seth out on a date. They hit it off and have been inseparable ever since.
They live in Washington.
The proposal: Seth surprised Sophia on April 29, 2016, on her way home from work, when he asked her to meet him on the rooftop of their apartment complex.
"When I got there, Seth was holding a scrapbook he put together chronicling our entire relationship," Sophia said. "By the time I flipped to the last page, Seth was on one knee and asking me to marry him."
Sophia said yes on the rooftop, with its breathtaking views of the city.
"It was overlooking the city where we fell in love," she said. "It was an incredibly romantic scene for what was to come."
Venue: The Belvedere hosted the couple's wedding of 170 guests.
Flowers and decor: Floral and Bloom Designs provided flowers in navy blue and gold.
Her dress: Sophia wore a strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline from David's Bridal.
Bridesmaids' dresses: Bridesmaids wore floor-length navy blue dresses from After Six, which is part of the Dessy Group.
Men's attire: Seth and the groomsmen wore gray suits by Tommy Hilfiger.
Music: DJ Andy Gotsch provided the reception music. A family member, Andrew Fund, played cello for recessional music. Sophia walked down the aisle to "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley. Their first dance was to "Have I Told You Lately" by Rod Stewart.
Food: Truffles Catering at The Belvedere provided the food. Passed appetizers included Maryland crab dip at the cocktail hour. For dinner, a duet entree included a Tuscan chicken dish and miso glazed salmon with a side of red-skinned mashed potatoes and fresh seasonal vegetables. A cupcake tower was provided by Midnite Confections.
Favors: The couple handed out sugar cookies decorated with the words "Love Is Sweet."
Special touches: The couple held a welcome event for all their guests at Pinch Dumplings in Mount Vernon Marketplace. Guests enjoyed steamed and fried dumplings as well as freshly shucked oysters from the Local Oyster. The couple also served edible cookie dough from Cookie Dough and Co. for dessert.
The June 24 nuptials were actually the couple's second wedding. A little over a year ago, on May 29, 2016, Sophia and Seth married in an intimate ceremony so that Seth's mother, Susan Traiman, could see her only child get married before she died of cancer.
The couple honeymooned in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
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