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Courtship: Olga Symeonoglou and Scott McKinney’s interview lasted 20 minutes before it turned into a date. Living in New York City, they met in 2012 shortly after Hurricane Sandy, the first day the lights came back on. Olga and Scott hit it off at a local bar, connecting over their areas of study, art history, and law, respectively. She asked to conduct an interview on international law and art for her website. Hours later, the discussion moved far beyond the topics at hand. The connection was deep, immediate, and the pair spent the next four years studying, traveling, and eventually settling in Washington, D.C. They are both attorneys. Scott helps start-ups negotiate intellectual property law, while Olga clerks.
Proposal: Although Olga hails from St. Louis, Greece, her father’s native country, has been a second home for her since childhood. In 2016, they visited her family there, and Scott conspired with her mom to select a proposal site. After determining that Mount Olympus was too arduous to reach, Scott chose a breathtaking temple on the site of the famed Acropolis. He asked Olga to take in the view, and she turned to find him on one knee, utterly shocked. Scott had to convince her the moment was real, not a joke, and that their lives were about to change forever.
Ceremony: Olga and Scott chose the landmark Sheldon Concert Hall for the ceremony and reception. They were joined by 150 friends and family members from all over the country, for a non-denominational ceremony officiated by Olga’s friend from law school. In addition, they could think of no better venue for a performance by Scott’s brother, a career musician, who provided guitar accompaniment. The event was light-hearted and relaxed. They recall the moment they were introduced as husband and wife, as well as the embraces of family and friends afterward, as one of the most joyful moments of the day.
Reception: The pair took photos outside the Sheldon and at the beautiful abandoned church in Grand Center before the ceremony, narrowly avoiding temperatures below zero. Guests enjoyed cocktail hour perusing the cozy Sheldon Art Galleries and tore the roof off the elegant ballroom during the lively dance party. The decor featured centerpieces of hand-painted vases by Olga’s mother and flowers and accents of deep red, purple, and gold. Globe-trotters, each table was named after a travel destination of theirs. To this day, Scott, Olga, and their wedding-goers recall the unforgettable toast delivered by one of Scott’s best friends, a comedian.
The Details
Venue: Sheldon Concert Hall & Art Galleries
Catering & Cake: Russo's Catering
Photography: Zoe Life Photography
Videography: Tower Studios
Flowers: Walter Knoll
Hair & Makeup: Blown Away Blow Dry Bar
Dress: Carine's Bridal by Rivini
Shoes: Kate Spade
Hair Pin & Earrings: BHLDN
Rings: Gemvara
Polaroid Guest Book: LiuMy
Bridesmaids Dresses: Adrianna Papell
Tuxes: The Black Tux
Centerpieces & Seating Chart: Mother of the Bride
